Having foundation problems is no fun. Not only do you need to deal with a structural problem in your home, which is stressful on its own, you also need to find a reliable, trustworthy Corpus Christi foundation company to fix the issue. When you’re already stressed out about the state of your house, the last thing you want to worry about is getting ripped off by the foundation company.
Here are a few ways to ensure that you find the most trustworthy foundation company in Corpus Christi, along with the average costs of a few different types of foundation repair so that you can determine whether you’re getting a fair price. Click “visit website” for more information.
Finding a Trustworthy Corpus Christi Foundation Repair Company
When it comes to your house’s foundation, it’s vital to have someone you trust taking care of it. You wouldn’t let just anybody house-sit for you, so why would you let just anybody repair such a vital part of your home?
Fortunately, there are several ways to verify that the foundation repair company in Corpus Christi TX you’re hiring is legitimate and reputable.
Ask Your Neighbors
When you’re first starting your search for a repair company, your neighbors and friends are a great place to start. Ask them what companies and contractors they’ve worked with, and whether they had a good experience or not. Not only will this give you a starting point to start calling around and setting up estimates, it’ll also give you some names to avoid.
Be sure to ask your neighbors if there’s any kind of referral reward as well. Some companies give rewards or discounts on future projects to people who refer new customers, so you and your neighbor could both benefit from a good recommendation.
Check the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau’s main goal is to keep consumers informed about the businesses they patronize, making it a great resource for checking out a company you’re thinking about hiring. They rate companies on an A-F scale, with A being the best and F being the worst, taking into account reviews and any legal cases against the company. Before you get an estimate from a company, search their BBB page and see how they’re rated and why.
Get Multiple Estimates
Getting multiple quotes from different companies- we recommend checking out at least three- may help you spot fraud if one of the companies you’re looking at is shady. If one company somehow finds far more damage in your home than the other two, they may be trying to upsell you on a repair. Similarly, if you’re quoted a much higher cost from one company than the other two for the same repairs, walk in the other direction.
Don’t Ignore Red Flags
How do you tell if a company is shady? It can be hard- scammers and people who take advantage of homeowners are typically smooth-talkers with lots of experience getting people to ignore or gloss over things that seem “off.” Here are just a few red flags that you should always take seriously.
- Quotes that change constantly. With nearly every home improvement or repair project, there are unexpected problems or changes to the plan that come up throughout the project and change the final cost. This is to be expected. However, if the quotes or estimates increase frequently or by a lot and the contractor can’t show you evidence of why the increases were necessary, alarm bells should go off in your head.
- Not showing up when they say they will. Being a bit late in the morning is one thing, but if you go entire days without seeing your contractor and crew (when you were previously told that they’d be there), ask why. Call the company headquarters if necessary, and use your best judgment as to whether you trust the explanation you’re given.
- 100% payment expected up front. Granted, some reputable Corpus Christi foundation repair companies do expect payment up front and it’s not necessarily a red flag on its own. However, most foundation repair companies have some kind of payment plan or financing options available. If a company completely refuses to work with you on payment, it may be wise to walk the other way.
What Kind of Foundation Repair Do You Need?
Before you even think about calling someone to fix your foundation, it is helpful to have a general idea of what the problem is and what type of foundation repair you might need, so that you can’t be talked into purchasing something you do not need. Here’s a brief overview of the different types of foundation problems you might encounter and how they’re fixed.
Shifting or Sinking Foundations
In geographical areas where the soil is prone to expanding and shrinking (regions with very sandy soil or soil with a large amount of clay, for example), foundations may shift with it. When a foundation shifts with the ground, cracks form in the walls and the structure becomes less stable. Tell the foundation repair company in Corpus Christi where the cracks are and how big they are.
To fix a sinking slab foundation, a foundation repair company will typically use a method called slabjacking, where a concrete slab is lifted up from underneath using hydraulics.
Damp or Damaged Crawl Spaces
If you have a crawl space foundation, chances are that you’re not hanging out in the crawl space very often. They tend to be cool and damp. However, it’s important to check your crawl space every now and again to ensure that the moisture in there is not causing damage. If you see any part of the space growing mold or eating away at the joists, it’s time to take steps to repair the crawl space and prevent further damage.
A common method for fixing a crawl space and waterproofing it is called crawl space encapsulation. Your crawl space will be wrapped in a waterproof barrier and completely sealed to the outside. Dehumidifiers may be installed as well.
What if I Get Scammed?
So what happens if you don’t see red flags in the Corpus Christi foundation repair company you choose, and they end up taking your money? Is there anything you can do?
First of all, you can and should file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The filed complaint may knock down the company’s rating, and may even trigger an investigation. The BBB sometimes investigates credible accusations of fraud in an attempt to keep commerce in the US fair.
If you paid for the repair via a credit card or check, which the Federal Trade Commission recommends doing rather than using cash, you should also dispute the charge with your bank. They may or may not be able to recover the money you’ve spent, but some banks have protections in place for victims of scams and fraud.
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