Foundation Repair Dallas
I sat down with the Greater Dallas Area Verizon Yellow pages and counted concrete foundation repair contractor listings. I threw out listings for satellite offices or what appeared to be different numbers for the same or a sister company. Very unscientific to be sure, but I still ended up with 96 foundation repair contractors in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area alone. Yikes! How do you pick one?
First, it would not be a bad idea to hire a structural engineer to inspect your concrete foundation. For a few hundred dollars you can get a professional opinion of the need for repair if any and a plan with recommended methods of foundation repair for your individual situation. For more information on choosing an engineer, see my post “Consider a Structural Engineer.”
The Foundation Performance Association website has a listing of geotechnical, structural, forensic, and civil engineers, inspectors, consultants, foundation repair contractors and related businesses.
(FPA) is a non-profit corporation in Texas.
Danny Lippford runs a home improvement website and appears on the CBS Morning Show has this to say about picking a contractor:
No Contract Labor- Make sure the people performing the repairs work for the company.
Financial Commitment- Does the contractor own or rent his equipment?
Supervisors on Site- Is the company large enough to provide full time supervision, or will the crew be dropped off at your home to do the work?
References- Make sure references are not hand picked.
Warranties- Warranties are only as good as the company that offers them. A reputable company who has been in business for at least 25 years should be your best bet.
Insurance- Ask for current insurance certificates.
Comments
Comment from Debra Hetmer
Time: January 19, 2010, 12:42 pm
I am a real estate agent in the DFW area. I represent buyers and sellers. I have come into a situation that I would like to share with you so you may have knowledge of how certain companies do business and one I would NOT recommend. I have a client I represent that bought a home from another agent and I am now selling their home. There was previous foundation work that was only one year old done by the previous owner. The buyer (now my seller) wasn’t informed they needed to transfer the warranty. This home had $18,000 of work done by Advanced Prolift which is also associated with Perma Pier. When they found out they needed to transfer the warranty they were told it would cost them 15% of the original cost of the work being done without the foundation company even looking to see if there are any current problems.
I called two other companies in which said for their customers they would consider a case by case basis and if they did an inspection and found no issues or work to be would allow them to reinstate for $100 or $200 whichever their transfer fee is for that company. If there is work to be done they would allow them to fix any current issue and insure it from then forward.
I would not advise doing business with this company simply for the fact that they do not work with homeowners and not willing to make any exceptions. I asked to speak to the General Contractor and he had his assistant call me back. More good business ethics.
Comment from cosmoage
Time: February 7, 2010, 9:34 pm
Hi Everyone
I am trying to buy a home in north texas. There is a wonderful house but they have put concrete in the whole backyard – all around the house. My realtor says Texas being a very dry state needs the foundation to be watered during the summers to prevent foundation issues.
Should I be bothered about this concrete around the house to cause future foundation issues.
Please let me know
Thank you very much
Comment from mike preacher
Time: June 22, 2010, 5:44 am
Perma-Pier Foundation Repair Company is not in any way associated with Advance Prolift. We are a independent foundation repair company and have no associations with any other foundation repair company. Any questions regarding this please feel free to call our Headquarters at 214-637-1444.
Or check us out on BBB to verify us as a company.
Comment from Justin P
Time: August 10, 2010, 2:44 pm
As a real estate broker, I have to surround myself with the best people out there that will represent me and do incredible work. It has been 2 years now since I met Tony Kline, and started doing business with Investment Foundations and Repairs. I can’t tell you the number of times he has gone out to a home and told them that they did not even need piers or given one of my customers the best service around. Integrity, honesty, and just doing what you say you are going to do is what Tony is all about. Keep up the great work!
Comment from Digger
Time: August 10, 2010, 3:16 pm
Justin,
It’s always great to hear about good honest contractors.
Thanks for stopping by.
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