Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Niagara Falls, NY

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Niagara Falls

Foundation issues have some possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Niagara Falls residents:

• Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't done properly could lead to your foundation settling.
• Aging plumbing: Niagara Falls has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1965. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
• Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
• Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

To pick a foundation repair contractor, you should think about what's most important to you. Use this guide to help you navigate the process.

Licensing and Experience

New York's state government doesn't issue contracting licenses, but cities often choose to require them of foundation companies and other builders. For example, New York City requires foundation and excavating contractors to obtain a "Safety Registration Number" with a concrete work endorsement. They also need to register as a general contractor or home improvement contractor. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.

One of the most effective ways to assess a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for the company's history and what credentials its team holds. Many prominent companies provide educational content for prospective customers.

Customer Reviews

When you're researching a company's reputation, visit its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is incompetent. The BBB shows how companies handle complaints. A responsive team that works toward amicable outcomes is a good one. Avoid a business if you don't see good communication about problems.

Foundation Repair Cost in Niagara Falls

The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is considerable damage, the typical cost is about $3,200. More intricate projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $7,000. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.