Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Santa Maria
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Santa Maria residents:
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Drought conditions: Santa Maria is vulnerable to drought. The shortage of rainfall and fluctuating humidity levels each season result to ever-shifting soil. The resulting soil settlement can shift and damage your foundation.
- Aging plumbing: The average Santa Maria home construction year is 1979. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that results in your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To choose a foundation repair business, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you steer the process.
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 how the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
Another way to evaluate a company's reputation is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
We recommend checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have reported satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues proactively and appropriately. You should avoid a company with more negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Santa Maria
The cost of foundation repair can vary quite a bit depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial damage, the average cost will likely fall around $2,900. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $6,800 or more. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $341 |
Leak Repair | $2,724 |
Stabilization | $4,707 |
Underpinning | $1,307 |
Waterproofing | $3,007 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Santa Maria
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Santa Maria?
What are the different types of foundations in Santa Maria?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
Are there any warranties or guarantees provided with Santa Maria foundation repair services?
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)