Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Lansing
Foundation issues have a few possible causes. Here are the top ones for Lansing residents:
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
- Aging plumbing: The average Lansing home construction year is 1968. 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's structural integrity weighs heavily on its foundation. It's crucial to hire the most qualified crew possible. Center your research on these characteristics:
Licensing and Experience
Michigan foundation repair companies need a Residential Builder license, a Residential Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license, or both. The state's Licensing and Regulatory Affairs department oversees new applications. It also administrates continuing education required of all contractors. Talk to team members to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
Another way to evaluate a company's credibility is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
We suggest checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see whether it's accredited and has a positive 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 aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company handles them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate properly, you should avoid working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Lansing
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the extent of the problems and what must be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable damage, the normal cost will be around $2,800. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,800. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $338 |
Leak Repair | $2,696 |
Stabilization | $4,655 |
Underpinning | $1,296 |
Waterproofing | $2,976 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Lansing
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Lansing?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
Are there any warranties or guarantees provided with Lansing 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)