Common Causes of Foundation Problems in San Francisco
A few typical reasons why San Francisco homeowners encounter foundation woes include:
- Aging plumbing: The average San Francisco home construction year is 1970. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that leads to your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is vital to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair contractor. Assess each firm using the following factors:
Licensing and Experience
The Golden State issues many different kinds of contracting licenses, and foundation companies often have more than one. You can verify a company's licensing information through the Contractors State License Board, a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Look for a company with a General Building Contractor, General Engineering Contractor, C-8 Concrete, or C-61 Pile Driving credential. Talk to staff to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local building codes, permit ordinances and inspection processes.
Another way to gauge a company's credibility is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's reputation, check out its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate effectively, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we recommend you search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in San Francisco
The cost of foundation repair can range widely depending on the severity of the issues and what needs to be done to address them. For minor foundation fractures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $4,000. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $7,300 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $455 |
Leak Repair | $3,820 |
Stabilization | $6,740 |
Underpinning | $1,735 |
Waterproofing | $4,238 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Foundation Repair Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in San Francisco
How much does foundation repair cost in San Francisco?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What are the different types of foundations in San Francisco?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
- Flooding
- Uneven floors
- Hairline cracks
- Mold and mildew
- Plumbing leaks
- Discoloration or odors
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)