Common Causes of Foundation Problems in New Orleans
A home in New Orleans might experience foundation issues for various reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall New Orleans experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average New Orleans home construction year is 1970. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is essential to its stability, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair company. Assess each contractor using the following factors:
Licensing and Experience
While Louisiana issues state contracting licenses, they're not required for every foundation repair job. To perform work between $7,500 and $75,000 in value, a contractor must apply for a Home Improvement license. More expensive jobs require a Residential license. 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 among the best places to do your research. Usually, a business will disclose how long it's been operating. It might also share blog posts to assist prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We recommend reviewing the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have reported satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is incompetent. The BBB shows how companies handle complaints. A proactive team that strives for excellent outcomes is a good one. Don't work with a contractor if you don't see good communication about problems.
Foundation Repair Cost in New Orleans
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the typical cost lands at about $2,500. More involved projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,700+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $308 |
Leak Repair | $2,403 |
Stabilization | $4,112 |
Underpinning | $1,181 |
Waterproofing | $2,647 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in New Orleans
What will I pay to repair my foundation in New Orleans?
How long does foundation repair usually take?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)