Foundation repairs are structural work — the wrong contractor can cost you far more than the repair itself. Work through these questions from the seven sectors below, and only hire someone who answers every one of them clearly, in writing.
1. Licensing, Insurance & Legitimacy
2. Diagnostics & Inspection
3. Structural Repair Methods
4. Slabjacking & Soil
5. Crawl Space Moisture & Encapsulation
6. Electrical & NEC Compliance
7. Warranty & Contract
Remember: every answer should be confirmed in writing before you sign a contract — license number, certificate of insurance, permit, and the full warranty certificate.
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Download these guides and take them to your inspection — the questions above map to the sections inside.
DIY or Pro? Foundation Crack Quiz
Answer five quick questions about what you are seeing. This is a screening tool, not an engineering inspection — when in doubt, a professional evaluation is the safe call.
1. How wide is the crack?
2. Which direction does it run?
3. Is water coming through it?
4. Are walls straight and floors level?
5. Has the foundation visibly settled?
Foundation Repair Knowledge Quiz
Answer each question, reveal the answer, and test your knowledge before you hire.
Q1. What does foundation repair cost?
Minor epoxy crack repairs run 200 to 800 per crack, slabjacking runs about 500 to 2,000 for small settled areas, and pier systems typically run 5,000 to 20,000 or more depending on the number and depth of piers.
Q2. What drives foundation repair pricing?
The number and depth of piers, foundation type (slab versus pier and beam), soil conditions, site access, and how much interior and exterior work is involved all drive the price. Deeper piers in expansive clay cost significantly more.
Q3. What is the cost difference between slabjacking and piers?
Slabjacking, with mud or polyurethane, typically runs 500 to 2,000 for small areas and suits slabs that settled on stable soil. Pier systems run 1,000 to 2,500 per pier and are used when deep soil movement is the cause.
Q4. How much does foundation crack injection cost?
Epoxy or polyurethane injection for a single minor crack typically runs 200 to 800. Structural cracks that keep moving need a proper diagnosis first, because injection alone will not stop ongoing settlement.
Q5. What does ignoring foundation problems cost in the long run?
Delayed repairs can turn into 10,000 to 40,000 or more in structural work, plus drywall, plumbing, and flooring damage. Fixing settlement early is almost always a fraction of the cost of fixing the damage it causes.
Q6. How do you tell a hairline crack from a structural crack?
A hairline crack under about 1/16 inch that does not change is usually cosmetic. A structural crack is wider, stair-steps through brick, grows over time, or comes with sticking doors and sloping floors, which means call an engineer.
Q7. When should you choose slabjacking instead of piers?
Slabjacking suits slabs that settled on stable soil where the base can be packed back up. Piers are for deep settlement, expansive clay, or continuing movement, and the choice should come from an engineer's diagnosis, not a contractor's sales pitch.
Q8. What is the difference between interior and exterior foundation repair?
Interior repairs access the slab or beams from inside the home and are common for slab lifting and crack work. Exterior repairs involve excavation around the perimeter for deep piers, waterproofing, or drainage fixes, and often cost more.
Q9. Is foundation repair covered by homeowners insurance?
Rarely. Settlement and earth movement are excluded from most policies, though sudden events like a burst pipe or tree removal that cause damage are sometimes covered. Check your policy wording and ask your agent before paying out of pocket.
Q10. Should you repair or replace a foundation?
Repair when settlement is active or correctable with piers, slabjacking, or drainage work. Replacement is an extreme last resort, recommended only when an engineer determines the existing foundation cannot be stabilized economically.
Q11. What credentials should a foundation repair company hold before it diagnoses your home?
Look for a state license where required, current insurance, and a demonstrated history of working with structural engineers. Ask whether repairs are designed or reviewed by an engineer and whether pier depths are documented on every job.
Q12. Should you get a structural engineer's report before hiring a contractor?
Yes. An independent engineer diagnoses the cause and recommends the repair, so you can compare contractor bids on the same scope. Free contractor inspections are often sales pitches that push the most expensive repair.
Q13. What questions should you ask a foundation repair company?
Ask about pier type and depth, how many piers are proposed and why, the warranty and whether it is transferable, who writes the engineering report, the timeline, and how interior damage will be handled.
Q14. How do you verify a foundation repair company is reputable?
Check the license with your state licensing board, ask for engineer-stamped reports from past jobs, and talk to references whose repairs are at least two years old. Also confirm the installer is the company's own crew, not a subcontractor.
Q15. Do foundation repairs require permits?
Structural work like pier installation usually requires a permit and inspections in most jurisdictions. Confirm with your building department that the contractor will pull the permit, since unpermitted structural work creates resale and insurance problems.
Q16. How do you know if foundation settlement is still active?
Monitor cracks with crack monitors or marked lines for several months, re-measure door gaps, and watch how cracks respond to wet and dry seasons. An engineer's opinion, backed by level readings, is the reliable way to confirm movement.
Q17. What does a structural engineer's foundation report include?
It includes a crack survey, floor level readings, observations of soil and drainage, the likely cause of movement, and a recommended repair approach. Some reports include pier layouts and depths for the contractor to follow.
Q18. What warranty should foundation repair come with?
Quality pier systems often carry 10-year to lifetime transferable warranties, while crack repairs carry shorter terms. Read the exclusions carefully, since drainage, plumbing, and cosmetic damage are frequently not covered.
Q19. What documents should you keep from a foundation repair?
Keep the engineer's report, the repair proposal, pier installation logs with depths, the warranty certificate, and before-and-after photos. These documents are essential for resale and for any future warranty claim.
Q20. How do you verify foundation repair work after it is done?
Request the pier installation logs showing depths and loads, compare before-and-after level readings, and inspect the site after backfill is compacted. Re-check cracks and door alignment over the following months to confirm movement has stopped.
Q21. What are red flags in foundation repair sales tactics?
Free inspections that turn into hard sells, same-day contract pressure, no engineer involvement, and claims that one method fixes every house are red flags. A legitimate company wants you to have the engineer report and time to compare bids.
Q22. What line items commonly inflate foundation repair quotes — and how do you spot them?
Landscaping removal and restoration, concrete sawing and removal, interior drywall and flooring repair, plumbing reroutes, and permit fees are common add-ons. Ask the contractor to quote the full scope, not just the piers.
Q23. Why do foundation repair quotes vary so wildly?
Different companies diagnose different fixes, propose different pier counts and depths, and some pad the scope with unnecessary work. An independent engineer's report is the tool that lets you compare quotes on the same repair.
Q24. What is the cheap-quote trap in foundation repair?
The trap runs both ways: cosmetic crack filling when piers are actually needed, or a full pier system when injection and drainage would do. Both are solved by getting the engineer's diagnosis first and comparing bids against it.