Guide
Questions to Ask a Foundation Contractor Before You Sign
The answers to these questions tell you more about a contractor than the price on the last page does.
8 min read
Key takeaway
Ask what was measured, why this scope was chosen over the alternatives, what the depth adder is, and exactly what the warranty covers and whether it transfers. A contractor who welcomes those questions is the one worth hiring.
About the diagnosis
- What did you measure, and can I have a copy of the readings?
- Is the movement active? What evidence supports that?
- What do you think is causing it — not just what is broken, but why?
- What would happen if I did nothing for twelve months?
- What alternatives did you consider and rule out, and why?
About the scope
- Does this scope address the cause or the symptom?
- How did you arrive at this pier count or this length of drainage?
- What base depth is assumed, and what is the rate per additional foot?
- Is this stabilisation or an attempt to lift?
- Who designed the repair — you, or an independent engineer?
- What is explicitly excluded from this price?
About the warranty
- What precisely does it cover: the product, the workmanship, or the outcome?
- Is it transferable if I sell the house, and is there a fee?
- Who honours it if the company is sold or closes?
- Does it cover recurrence anywhere on the foundation, or only at the repaired location?
- What voids it?
About the work itself
- Who pulls the permit, and is inspection included?
- Will your own crews do the work or subcontractors?
- Are you carrying liability insurance and workers' compensation? May I see certificates?
- What restoration is included — concrete, drywall, landscaping?
- What is the payment schedule, and what deposit is required?
Warning signs
- Pressure to sign today, or a discount that expires at the end of the visit.
- A quote produced without any measurement being taken.
- Refusal to put the diagnosis in writing.
- A large deposit demanded before any work is scheduled.
- Dismissiveness about getting an independent engineer involved.
- A single proposed solution presented as the only possibility.
Not sure what you're looking at? Get it assessed.
Describe the symptoms and send photos. You'll get an assessment of what is likely happening and what should be measured before anyone quotes a repair — across Sioux Falls and Southeastern South Dakota.