Soooooo, you’ve already gotten one bid for foundation repair at your home and you’re thinking maybe you should get another one. Or maybe you’re just getting started with the bidding process. Your momma always told you to get three bids for things like this. “Angie” (if she really exists) from Angie’s List thinks so too.
Now you’re worried about what your mom thinks, what this Angie lady thinks, what you think, and are concerned about what the other contractor might think too!
Anchor Foundation Repair has been serving the BCS community since 1985, we know people sometimes want or need second opinions to feel confident about their home repair decisions. Our business is built on providing the best info possible so that homeowners feel empowered to make the best choice for their situation.
We don’t mind when a homeowner tells us they are getting a second opinion or a bid from another foundation repair contractor. It happens all the time. We know that consumers all shop and buy things differently and have their own way of getting through a repair process.
So we say, go ahead . . . get that second opinion (or third opinion if you’re listening to your mother). Here are a few things to keep in mind when you do.
It’s Okay to Get a Second Opinion for Foundation Repair
First off, if you want a second opinion, get one, and don’t let anyone shame you about it. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to check with other professionals for differing opinions on how much work needs to be done or for pricing purposes. It’s your right as a homeowner to do what you need or want to do when asking a contractor for home repairs.
Beware of any contractor who doesn’t want you to get a second opinion or pressures you to commit *now.* Especially if they make you feel guilty or bullied or bad. Even if the price is good, something about their offer is likely too good to be true. See the red flag and don’t think twice about walking away. It’s your money and your home.
Other Ways to Get a Second Opinion for Foundation Repair
Getting bids from different contractors is kinda the *old-school* way of doing things though. In a world filled with technology, we have some more efficient tools out there now that can help you find a foundation repair contractor to trust.
Checking on their internet visibility is a great thing to look at when selecting a foundation repair contractor. Do they have a legitimate and up-to-date website? Do they have a Facebook page at all and has it been updated or active recently?
In addition to checking a company’s internet presence, you can also look for reviews and ratings from other web sources like Google, Angie’s List (now simply called Angi), and the Better Business Bureau. The BBB has the added advantage of telling you when the company was formed, who owns it, and any complaint history that might have been filed.
Look for a robust selection of reviews, even if they are not all perfect. A good number of reviews display history in the community. If someone took the time to give a company a detailed review, then they either really wanted to say something good or something critical, so check those out for sure.
Online reviews can really help you to get a good idea of what kind of company you want to use. Take advantage of others’ experiences when they have taken the time to detail it out for your benefit.
Why Do YOU Need a Second Opinion on Foundation Repair?
This is about your feelings now. If you want a second bid, quote, or opinion, what are you really hoping to find out from another company? Here are some reasons that homeowners commonly seek another opinion on foundation repair:
- Want validation on the amount of work that needs to be done
- Want to know more about another method of repair from another contractor
- Want validation on how much it should cost
- Hoping for contractors to compete for your business to get a better price
- Don’t have a feeling of trust from the person/company that came out first
- Feel like your lack of knowledge on home repairs is being taken advantage of
These reasons for seeking another opinion sort themselves into 3 categories: work issues, cost issues, and trust issues. Let’s take a deeper look at these motivations . . .
Work Issues
You want to make sure that contractors giving you a foundation repair bid are telling you that you need the same thing. You want to make sure that one person isn’t telling you that you need 10 piers and another person telling you that you need 15. Looking for validation on the amount of work that needs to be done is a good way to make sure you are on the right track.
If another company uses a different method, maybe you want to see how one method of foundation repair differs from another. For example, there are differences in how drilled bell-bottom piers vs. pressed pilings are installed, work in the ground, and perform over time.
Knowing more about repair methods helps you identify what is most important to you when it comes to choosing what works best for you and your home.
But in many ways, it’s also about trusting that a contractor is telling you that the amount of work needed is true, and trusting and believing in the method they are offering.
Cost Issues
You want to make sure that the price you are being told for foundation repair is not inflated. So you feel like a second opinion is in order so you can check that the prices are close to the same or see if one is far less or far more than the other. Or you are getting three bids and plan to choose the one in the middle of the price ranges you are given.
Some people also want contractors to know that they are getting multiple bids in the hopes that they will somehow get a better price. Knowing that there is “competition” might get some companies to offer a cheaper rate, right? Maybe, but maybe not . . .
If you are motivated by these kinds of cost issues, the price is clearly important to you. Do you want to only get the cheapest price? Or do you want to get the best value for your money? There is a difference, so which is it for you?
We have articles that talk frankly about the cost of foundation repair. We present the costs of different methods because there is more than one way to repair a foundation and one might be better for you than another. You also have to look at what you are getting for your money and how one company might offer something different than others.
But in many ways, this kind of motivation goes back again to trusting someone when they tell you a price, knowing it’s the best price they can offer, and that it’s the same price for everyone.
Trust Issues
Ah . . . trust issues . . . they’re fun, aren’t they? You feel like companies and contractors take advantage of your lack of expertise in whatever they are selling, whether it’s cars, computers, or foundation repair. It’s not unusual to feel this way with things you don’t know a lot about.
Sometimes you don’t trust an entire industry (thanks a lot, car salesman . . . ) or sometimes it’s just that one person that you are talking to that gives you *all the feels* of mistrust.
You want to feel good about who is doing work for you and who you are paying your hard-earned money to for work around your home. Trust is fundamental in just about every transaction or relationship you encounter.
As you can see from this whole section, even issues you might have in other areas, all have their roots in the trust department. Wouldn’t it be easier if you just found a foundation repair contractor you can trust? Then all these other concerns fade away, whether they are about methods, prices, or people.
So maybe it’s not about how many opinions you get from other foundation repair contractors, it’s more about getting the one right opinion that has the most value to you from a trust perspective.
Whose Opinion Can I Trust With My Foundation Repair?
As with most products and services, you have choices. The same goes for foundation repair contractors in the Brazos Valley.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we have repaired 4,000+ homes and inspected at least triple that number in the Brazos Valley area and are ready to help you through this time of uncertainty.
We place the highest importance on your comfort level and want to empower you with knowledge about your foundation repair decisions. We offer a complete learning center to answer all your questions about methods, costs, and services before you even meet us.
Our consultation and bidding process is designed to minimize your time and maximize your confidence by addressing all your concerns. Check out some more information about how your needs and our services match up and see if Anchor Foundation Repair is a good fit for you and your home.