You’ve got a foundation problem (you think) but don’t know the first thing about how to get started deciding on a company to use or anything. It’s all a little mind-boggling and you could use some clarity to get you moving in your best direction.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we have been helping homeowners think through their foundation repair decisions for 35+ years in the Brazos Valley. We’ve got a sense of what people should decide on BEFORE deciding on what kind of foundation repair they need.
We will review the top questions you need to answer for yourself before you are under any foundation repair company’s marketing and sales influence. By the end of this article, you will have a better grip on what’s important to you in your foundation repair project so that you can confidently make choices without second-guessing yourself.
4 Questions to Answer to Make Foundation Repair Decisions
Over the years, we’ve noticed that every homeowner needs to be clear on a few topics to feel confident choosing foundation repair for their home.
In order to move forward with foundation repairs, you’ve got to have answers to the following questions. The answers should be coming from within you, not dictated to you from outside sources.
When you know these answers with conviction and clarity, it’s way easier to see what’s right for you. I’m just going to cut right to the chase and list them out for you here:
- How Much Are Your Foundation Problems Bothering You?
- How Much Time Do You Have to Get Foundation Repairs Done?
- What Are The Future Plans for Your Home After Foundation Repair?
- What Kind of Foundation Repairs Do You Want?
Then we’ll elaborate on each of these questions in the coming sections. Here we go!
1. How Much Are Your Foundation Problems Bothering You?
This might seem like a strange question to start out with but you need a gauge on how much your foundation problems bother you. Deciding if you’re ready to move forward with foundation repairs depends partially on your mental state about them.
Here are the top signs of foundation issues you might have in your home. If you’ve got that symptom, decide on a scale from 1 to 10 how upsetting, worrisome, angry, annoyed, or scared you feel when you come face to face with the situation each day.
Check out this *Bother Scale* (trademark pending) and tell us how you really feel . . .
Bother Scale: 1 = it barely bothers you —–> 10 = the level of bother is off the charts
| HOME SYMPTOM | BOTHER LEVEL |
| Diagonal Cracks in Your Drywall | 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 |
| Doors that Don’t Lock/Latch/Close Right | 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 |
| Stair Step Brick Cracks | 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 |
| Trim Separations or Gapping | 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 |
| Cabinetry or Built-Ins Coming Away from Walls | 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 |
| Some Other Symptoms Not Listed | 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10 |
Focus in on your internal thought when you look at that *thing* in your home. Are you like, “I’m *so done* with this”? Or are you like, “Yes, I see that crack but . . . meh . . .”?
- If you’re in the higher numbers on the first five symptoms (signs confirming a foundation issue in your home), then you are on the right track in seeking some type of foundation repair solution.
- If you’re on the lower numbers on the first five symptoms, then you might have some signs of foundation settlement. Maybe your home will never reach *need to fix* status, especially if nothing is actively progressing in an unfavorable direction. Monitor your home for a year and decide later.
- If you selected “Some Other Symptom Not Listed,” and you don’t have any of the other common signs, it’s questionable if you even have a foundation problem. It could be something else entirely causing the problem. Check out this picture guide about the Real + Misleading Signs of Foundation Issues.
What we’re trying to bring out of you here is how unhappy your home is making you because of these signs and symptoms. Your home should be making you happy. If it’s not, then it’s not doing one of its biggest jobs. You should either feel a resounding *YES, I want foundation repair!!* or a *No thanks, for now.*
Do you feel slightly more clear and confident about your decision to get foundation repair? Maybe at least ¼ more confident? Okay, let’s keep moving to get you the other ¾.
2. How Much Time Do You Have to Get Foundation Repairs Done?
You might also think this is a weird question, because *duh*, of course, everyone wants things done ASAP. But are you really under a specific timeline or do you have a sense of urgency because you think this is a dire emergency?
First, let’s just get this out there: most foundation problems are not emergencies and it’s safe to live in a typical Central Texas home while you wait to decide on foundation repairs. So don’t put undue pressure on the situation by creating a deadline that isn’t there.
It’s important to determine how much time you really have to work with because it can simplify your choice of foundation repair methods and companies in some cases.
So, how much time do you have to do foundation repairs? Are you in a hurry or not so much? Are there any upcoming deadlines for getting your repairs done? Here are a few examples of what I mean by a real deadline:
- You’re in the process of selling your house right now and moving soon.
- You’re putting your house on the market in a few months.
- You’re hosting a major event at your home later this year.
- You’re leaving in two weeks for an extended trip and want to get it done before you go.
If You Are Under a True (and Close) Deadline
If you are truly under a looming deadline like selling your house or leaving the country, then choosing your method of foundation repair or company might not be much of a choice. You have to go with what’s fastest. Period.
Some companies offer quicker methods of foundation repair and some companies might be able to get to you sooner if they don’t have a lot of jobs in line already. The bottom line is that if you’re in a real hurry, then your focus only needs to be on when someone can do it and nothing else matters.
There’s not much need to sweat the details and differences between companies or methods or anything when the only detail you’re concerned with is who can get it done sooner. If this is the case for you, then whoever can do it first will get your business. The End.
If You Have More Time
If you’ve got a few months or more to work with, then you have time to discern other aspects of foundation repair methods or companies. You have the luxury to take your time in choosing both a foundation repair method and a foundation repair contractor that will serve your needs best.
We encourage you to take your time and identify your values and needs when choosing a contractor of any kind, including a foundation repair company. Yes, this might take some effort with research and second opinions. You’ll be happier knowing you chose the best you could for your situation when you don’t rush.
3. What Are The Future Plans for Your Home After Foundation Repair?
Knowing what you have in store for your home in the near future can also help in bringing clarity to what kind of repairs or company you choose.
- If you’re selling soon, you might not care if you get the best that money can buy.
- Compared to your beloved forever home that you plan to pass down to your children, you might *literally want* the best that money can buy.
So are you staying or on your way out? Is this a rental property or your forever house? Is this a custom home that you designed or something you plan to live in for a few years before you level up? Will you be remodeling soon or ever?
You have to decide if your foundation repair solution is a short-term solution, a long-term solution, or perhaps you don’t need to solve this right now at all.
I’m sure you know the answer to this question: What are you going to do with this house in the future? Write down your answer and then read this article about Foundation Repair Timing: 5 Reasons You Might Wait to Get Started for more thoughts.
The whole article is helpful (if I do say so myself), but pay special attention to the “future use” section.
4. What Kind of Foundation Repairs Do You Want?
Do you know that there are different methods of foundation repair? Not every company does *pretty much the same thing* and some methods might not be readily available in the Brazos Valley. You need to decide if you want:
- The cheapest no matter what,
- Something a little better if you can pay for it,
- The best you can possibly afford, or the
- Top of the line, the best that money can buy, and a great warranty too.
Do you already have a feel for which of the above 4 cost statements aligns with your foundation repair wants?
When you’re choosing a foundation repair company, you’re choosing a method and potential price range by default. Most foundation repair companies only do one method but some companies, like Olshan, offer a few variations within their chosen method (but based on the same repair principle).
We know that cost is a big consideration for homeowners, and we’ve got a wide range of articles about pricing for foundation repairs. Here are a few you might want to check out if you’re not sure which of the above 4 statements matches your thinking:
What Is the Cheapest Slab Foundation Repair Option?
Average Cost of Foundation Repairs: Pressed Pilings vs. Drilled Piers
How To Get the Best Deal on Foundation Repairs for Your Home
Top 6 Reasons NOT to Get the Cheapest Foundation Repairs for Your Home
Answering the Top 4 Foundation Repair Questions
Now that you’ve read through this article (and maybe a few other article links), can you confidently answer the 4 questions below?
- How Much Are Your Foundation Problems Bothering You?
- How Much Time Do You Have to Get Foundation Repairs Done?
- What Are The Future Plans for Your Home After Foundation Repair?
- What Kind of Foundation Repairs Do You Want?
You should, without hesitation, be able to respond with clarity on each. Armed with these answers, you’re ready to start researching foundation repair companies.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we don’t fix things that don’t need fixin’, and we don’t try to sell you stuff you don’t need. After 35+ years in business, that’s what’s best for our Brazos Valley community and for exceptional homeowners like you. We’re here to help guide you through the foundation repair process, but you’re the one in charge.
Up next on your empowering foundation repair journey, get prepared for your search with this: Foundation Repair Contractors: Avoiding 4 Top Problems of Hiring One.