You’re reading about foundation repair. No, not because you have insomnia and are trying to find something to put you to sleep, but because you have foundation problems and want to know a bit more about this repair plan thing. You’re probably thinking:
- Don’t I just need to know the price?
- What does the repair plan actually tell me?
- How do I make sense of the symbols?
- Why should I even care what this thing says?
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we’ve been writing repair plans and repairing foundations based on those plans for 40+ years. We know our way around a repair plan, and we can tell you what’s important about them.
This article covers the basics of what a repair plan should contain, the details most worth your attention, and how to read the diagrams and symbols you might see on ours or any other company’s plan.
Main Components of Any Foundation Repair Plan
Any foundation repair plan, from any company, should have a few definite must-haves. Here’s the short list:
- A scaled diagram of your home showing where supports are added
- Price for the repairs
- Terms and conditions
If a contractor’s plan is missing one of these, that’s a good reason to ask more questions or get a second opinion before you sign anything.
A few extras make a plan even more useful for you as a homeowner:
- Symbols on the diagram that show support types
- Itemized, transparent pricing with clear payment terms
- Warranty and service agreement info built right into the terms and conditions
Important Parts of a Foundation Repair Plan for a Homeowner
Let’s take a closer look at a few of those items and why they matter to you.
1. The Scaled Diagram Showing Support Points
The scaled diagram matters because it shows you exactly where each support goes.
These supports are called pilings or piers, depending on the repair method used. That’s a whole other topic, but worth understanding before you choose a company.
Knowing the exact location of each support matters because whatever sits near that spot gets impacted during the repair. Is there a tree on that corner of the house that means something to you? Fancy landscaping nearby?
Nothing around your home gets destroyed, but it may need to be temporarily moved during the repair. Ask what the company plans to do with anything near a support installation point that you care about.
Also watch for support markings under the middle of your home instead of along the perimeter. Ask how the contractor accesses those spots. Interior repairs tend to cost more and take longer, and can even require you to move out during the repair. Find out what that process looks like before you commit to any company.
2. The Total Price for Foundation Repairs
This is probably the biggest thing any homeowner wants to know: how much is this going to cost? An itemized breakdown is better than one lump sum, though plenty of foundation repair companies only offer the grand total.
I always feel better when I can see exactly what costs what, so I can ask about anything that catches my eye. It’s reassuring to see where the number comes from instead of it just appearing out of nowhere.
Curious what to expect for pricing, or how your plan compares to others? Check out “Average Cost of Foundation Repair: Pressed Pilings vs. Drilled Piers.”
3. Terms and Conditions
Somewhere in the plan should be language about what the company will and won’t do, and who’s responsible for what. It’s boring legalese, but it’s worth reading before you sign. People tend to skip this stuff, but it’s on you if there’s something in there that you miss, don’t understand, or catches you off guard.
When you’re spending real and often considerable amounts of money on something as important as your home, you want to know what responsibilities and liabilities are actually on the table.
Ask questions if any of the following isn’t clearly spelled out:
- Are there things you have to do to ensure the warranty stays in place or can transfer if you sell the home?
- What does the company do about testing plumbing under your home?
- What does the company do about landscaping?
- Are there things the company won’t do, or things that cost extra?
- Is there a warranty? How long does it last?
Diagrams and Symbols in a Foundation Repair Plan
If your plan has specialized diagrams or symbols, there should be a key explaining what each one means. Two common ones to know: elevation maps and support symbols.
Elevation Diagrams
Lines on an elevation map connect points at the same elevation, showing you the direction and degree of slope in your foundation. In other words, which way it’s sinking, and how much. Lines closer together mean a steeper slope. Lines further apart mean a gentler one.
Elevation diagrams help the contractor figure out which direction the home has settled and where supports are needed. Some homeowners like seeing this detail too, but it’s only part of the picture, not the full “repair plan.”
Elevation maps only show slope. They don’t capture the functionality issues you’re actually living with, like doors that won’t close or cracks that worry you. Our article “What Does Foundation Repair Mean and How Does It Work?” digs into how repair addresses those issues.
Not every company uses or includes elevation diagrams. We don’t think they are essential for a proper assessment quite frankly. Wanna know what we do think is essential? Check out this article on what you should expect to get after a professional foundation inspection.
Symbols for Each Support Location Type
Some plans use symbols to show different pricing points for supports, depending on where they go and what’s around them.
On Anchor’s plans, a circle marks perimeter piers, a square marks piers needing extra breakout work (say, a sidewalk sitting in the way), and a triangle marks interior piers.
Perimeter piers cost the least, breakouts cost a bit more, and interior supports cost the most. Each symbol type has its own per-pier price, and our plans show you the count and cost for each one.
Not every company does it this way. Some use simpler symbols for interior versus exterior supports, since pricing and access differ between the two.
Curious how support locations affect your total? Read “Determining Foundation Repair Costs: Top 5 Factors That Impact Pricing.”
The Terms & Conditions of a Repair Plan
Now that you know the key components of a repair plan, let’s talk terms and conditions, and where you can see a real example.
At Anchor, we aim to make foundation repairs as painless as possible for our homeowners. That means transparent, easy-to-read info in our Learning Center. It also means proposals with clear pricing and a lifetime warranty and service agreement you don’t have to jump through hoops to use.
We’ve broken our own terms of service down into plain language here: “The Terms and Conditions of an Anchor Foundation Repair Proposal.” It’s worth a look so you know what to consider before repairs start on your home.
