Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Oakland
Some frequent reasons why Oakland homeowners experience foundation problems include:
- Aging plumbing: Oakland has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1960. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that causes your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation provider doesn't have to be challenging. We encourage you to write down what you want most in a provider, then evaluate each contractor on your selection against these attributes.
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and how the company inspects foundations.
Contractor websites are excellent places to do your research. Usually, a foundation company will display how long it's been operating. It might also share blog posts to assist prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
Before selecting a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company manages them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we suggest you search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Oakland
The cost of foundation repair can range quite widely based on the extent of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is quite substantial damage, the normal cost will be around $3,400. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $7,000. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $395 |
Leak Repair | $3,250 |
Stabilization | $5,683 |
Underpinning | $1,512 |
Waterproofing | $3,598 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Oakland
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Oakland?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
- Plumbing leaks
- Mold and mildew
- Flooding
- Uneven floors
- Hairline cracks
- Discoloration or odors
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
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)