Foundation Repair Cost: A Brief Guide
Solving matters related to foundations can be very stressful at times. You might have noticed cracks in your walls or uneven floors, and suddenly, your mind races to one big question: “How much would it cost me?” Well, foundation repair is one of the major expenses any homeowner can face, but it is extremely important if you don’t want your house to look like it has just been through an earthquake.
What Affects Foundation Repair Costs?
Many people get the wrong impression that foundation repair work is a do it once and then you are done type of job. That is not the case and the price can vary for many reasons.
- Size of Your Home
The extent of damage is also dependent on the size of the house you are residing in, in other words, the larger the house, the more you are going to be charged when working on the foundations. A larger home implies a larger area that would be required to sort. For example, sealing a tiny spew in a relatively small residence will be much cheaper than dealing with a stucco through the entire outer wall of a mansion.
- Type of Your Home
The type of foundation you choose determines how much you are likely to spend on repairs if anything goes wrong. Families inhabit residences that have slabs, crawlspaces, or basement foundations, and all of them will need distinct fixes. For instance, the restoration of a slab foundation costs relatively more than a crawl space because it can be difficult to access the damaged area.
- Soil Conditions
Many homeowners are unaware of the type of soil under./ your home is a significant determinant of how much you are likely to spend on foundation repair. Ground that changes often or which has poor drainage may lead to your foundation sinking or developing some cracks. Where the clay soil cover is in large houses, they are more likely to be affected by basic stuff hence the repair costs could be higher.
- Severity of Damage
This is probably the most obvious factor: the quantity of the damage is directly proportional to the cost of repair. While tiny fissures will cost a few hundred dollars to fix, large damages may run tens of thousands.
Different Types of Foundation Repairs and Their Costs
No two foundation issues are the same, just like that their repair should not be the same as well. Now, let’s examine some general approaches to foundation repair work and estimates of their price.
- Crack Repairs
Eventually, you might find that cracks in your foundation are a sign of a much larger problem that can easily go unnoticed. Small cracks may cost as little as $250 to $800 or, at most, as much as $2,500. But if those cracks are indicative of a far more significant issue, costs spiral out of control quite rapidly.
- Slab Jacking
That said, if your house has a concrete slab foundation that appears to be sinking, you may have one option available to you: slab jacking. This process therefore entails the injection of a mixture beneath the slab to help it regain its original position. Currently, the average cost for repairing the siding is between $500 and $1,300 and this depends on the size of the area to be repaired.
- Piering
Underpinning, which is also known as Piering, is done when a foundation has to be strengthened. Steel piles are provided to the ground and these piles are installed until they reach the hard bearing layer. It is one of the costliest repair techniques because, for example, the cost can range from $1000 to $3000.
- Sealing and Waterproofing
If moisture is impacting the foundation, then sealing as well as waterproofing may be necessary. The expense of this is usually between twenty-five hundred dollars and six thousand dollars; however, in cases where there is considerable water damage, the amount can increase.
Hidden Costs of Foundation Repair
However, what one is charged for the initial repairs may not be exactly what he pays at the end. Here are factors you did not consider while estimating the costs and which are often overlooked are brought into the limelight.
- Permits and Inspections
Without exception, get a permit if it is required by your state before you embark on repairing your foundation, although you may be mandated to undergo an inspection as a way of showing that the repair work corresponds to the relevant code of the state you are residing in. It could cost several hundred dollars on average on top of your original bill.
- Landscaping Repairs
When fixing foundation issues, there is soil excavated around your home and in the process, this ruins any beautiful lawn you may have. Depending on your circumstances, it may be important for you to consider the cost of repairing your yard once the foundation has been put right.