Foundation Repair Costs Archives

Insurance Coverage for Foundations: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to your home’s foundation, it’s important to ensure its stability and integrity. However, even the most well-maintained, solid foundation can experience unexpected incidents causing serious damage. It’s when these accidents arise that your homeowners insurance can come into play.

As a leading foundation repair company, we’ve seen our fair share of foundation problems throughout the years. We also know how beneficial homeowners insurance can be, especially in covering foundation repairs. So, if you have any questions about homeowners insurance coverage for your foundation issues, we’ve got you covered! We’re happy to walk you through all the things you need to know and consider.

Let’s get started!

What Is a House Foundation?

First things first—what is a house foundation? Think of it as your home’s base upon which your property is built. It supports the rest of your home’s structure, making sure that it stays firmly upright and steady through the years, preventing it from sinking into the ground. There are several kinds of house foundations such as slab-on-grade, crawl space, basement, pier and beam, strip, and T-shaped foundations. Depending on your home’s location, environmental characteristics, and soil type, some types of foundations may be more suitable than others for your property.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Foundation Repair?

Standard homeowners insurance usually only covers sudden and accidental loss or direct physical loss. Damages that are typically covered by homeowners insurance include:

Destruction caused by interior or exterior explosions and fire
Specific natural disasters like heavy storms and wildfires
Sudden plumbing failures such as leaks and a burst pipe
Damage from a vehicle crashing into your property
Damage from falling objects like trees
Sudden intentional destruction of your foundation or vandalism

While homeowners insurance covers these damages, remember to regularly inspect your foundation and perform necessary maintenance for a safe and stable home.

people discussing homeowners insurance policy

discussing the foundation repair coverage of insurance

When Does a Standard Home Insurance Policy Not Cover Foundation Repairs and Damage?

Homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover foundation damage such as:

Foundation issues caused by faulty construction or poor maintenance
Crumbling or cracked foundation due to natural settling or shifting soil
Damage from a natural disaster like flooding and earthquakes
Damage from normal wear and tear
Damage from tree roots impacting the foundation
Damage from pests and small creatures
Damage from soil erosion or other geological factors

While most home insurance policies don’t cover these instances, you may purchase extra coverage like earthquake and flood insurance.

How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Foundation Repairs With Your Insurance Company

If you’re dealing with foundation issues and believe your insurance covers it, you need to file a homeowners insurance claim. To help you get your claims process started, we’ve put together a guide that can help you from start to finish:

Step 1: Assess and Record the Damage

Snap some pictures and record videos of your foundation problems from different angles. Keep them for documentation and for future reference.

Step 2: Review Your Insurance Policy

Review your paperwork and focus on details about foundation damage and covered perils. Doing so will give you an idea of what may or may not be covered by your specific insurance.

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company or Agent

For more clarification, you can contact your insurance company or agent and ask them about your specific situation. Let them know that you wish to file a claim for foundation repair.

Step 4: Schedule an Adjuster Visit

discussing the foundation repair coverage of homeowners insurance

Your insurance provider will send a claims adjuster to your home to take a look at your foundation damage. They will thoroughly evaluate the situation and try to pinpoint the cause of the issues. Be sure to be available and present during this inspection so you can answer any questions they may have.

Step 5: Review the Settlement Offer

Your insurance company will eventually provide a settlement offer. This proposal will tell you how much the company is willing to pay to cover the damages you’ve specified in your claim. Take some time to read it carefully and determine whether you’re happy with the offer.

Step 6: Schedule the Repairs and Hire a Contractor

Once everything’s settled, you can go ahead and look for a trusted foundation repair specialist in your area. Make sure the work is done to your satisfaction and keep all receipts and records.

Early Signs Your Foundation Has Problems

For your insurance to cover foundation repair services, it has to count as sudden and accidental damage. This means that any foundation damage that isn’t a covered peril by your home insurance is solely your responsibility to address. Acting fast when you notice any of these warning signs can help you avoid costly repairs and keep foundation issues from worsening over time.

a cracked brick wall due to foundation damage

1. Cracks On The Walls

Major cracks in your brick wall can indicate an underlying foundation problem such as settling, soil movement, and poor drainage.

2. Misaligned Doors and Windows

Window frames and door frames can become misaligned due to foundation concerns, making them difficult to open and close. In other cases, they also stick and drag during usage.

3. Leaning Garage Walls, Support Posts, and Chimney

When your foundation cracks or experiences any form of weakness and instability, it can manifest in places like your garage wall, support posts, chimneys, and attached structures like porches. An unstable foundation leaves the rest of your structure vulnerable, which can easily be seen in specific parts of your home.

4. Uneven and Sagging Floors

Uneven floors and sloping floors are other symptoms of a problematic foundation. This can be caused by a number of foundation concerns, including shifting and settling.

5. Brick Molding Separating

Another sign of a failing foundation is brick molding separation. This separation can be a result of shifting or settling, which leads to misalignments in your structure. Expansive soils that swell and contract with inconsistent moisture levels, poor drainage, and temperature changes can all contribute to this issue.

Common Causes of Foundation Problems

Homeowners deal with many headaches when it comes to maintaining their property, but foundation problems can be a different kind of nightmare. This is because foundation issues can affect the structural integrity of your property, making it prone to further damage. The first step to preventing foundation issues is familiarizing yourself with the common causes of foundation problems that lurk beneath the surface.

Poor, Faulty Construction: Foundation damage can result from faulty construction and installation. When your structure’s foundation isn’t properly fortified from the beginning, it’s more likely to develop problems.
Expansive Clay Soils: When the soil underneath and around your foundation is improperly compacted or not pressed down firmly enough, they can compress under the weight of the structure it’s holding up. This can lead to foundation settling, cracks, and other structural issues.

Weather Cycles: Climate and temperature changes can affect the stability of your foundation and cause foundation damage. Dry months often lead to soil shrinkage while cool, wet seasons make the soil swell; both cases lead to foundation movement which can result in complications.
Large Tree Roots: Tree roots grow under your home and could impact your foundation, leading to extensive damage. To prevent this, avoid planting trees—especially large trees—near your foundation, or consider installing root barriers underground.
Poor Drainage, Leaks, and Water Accumulation: When your drainage system fails to properly divert water away from your foundation, it can lead to soil erosion, create hydrostatic pressure against the foundation walls, and lead to soil swelling. As a result, cracks, bowing, water damage, and foundation settling can arise. By improving your drainage system, addressing leaks, and adding gutters and downspouts, you can protect your foundation from damage.
Burrowing Animals and Other Pests: When these critters dig tunnels underground, they can disturb the soil surrounding your foundation, making it prone to damage and instability. They can also create gaps and pathways for water to seep into, leading to water damage and moisture issues.

Tips to Prevent Foundation Damage

Many homeowners can achieve a stable home by keeping their foundation in great shape. To avoid major structural problems, it’s best to have a regular home inspection so you can catch any issues early on and address them promptly. Even though your home insurance company may not cover all of your foundation repair needs, you can still save on repair costs by taking proactive measures to maintain your foundation’s health.

Powerlift Foundation Repair Can Help You Protect Your Home’s Foundation

free estimate with powerlift foundation repair

Powerlift has over 30 years of experience in the structural repair industry. Recommended by homeowners, engineers, architects, and real estate management professionals, we offer the most effective services in the industry, executed by only the most seasoned professionals.

Give us a call at 800-562-5438 for a free estimate and discover why we’re the leading foundation repair company in the United States!

How to Budget for Foundation Repair Costs for My Business

Breaking down the possible expenses for a solid foundation repair can be a daunting task for any business owner. After all, you’re looking at what can be a handful of costly repairs that definitely won’t be gentle on your wallet. Even though most property owners are aware that repairing and maintaining your foundation is a necessity, it doesn’t make the frustration of spending money any less bothersome.

Let’s go about this the right way: What you need is a careful examination of your foundation problems, a clear understanding of the services you’ll need to address these problems, and an experienced professional to assist you through it all.

Powerlift Foundation Repair offers a wide range of foundation repair services to residential and commercial property owners. Over the years, we’ve gained valuable experience and expertise in the field, allowing us to have a comprehensive understanding of the various processes from start to finish.

We’re eager to share our insights and walk you through the practical steps and considerations to help you prepare and budget for your repairs.

Analyze the Complexity of the Problem

We will give you the estimated costs of repair projects, but ultimately, it all depends on the severity of your foundation damage. To pinpoint whether you need to prepare a few hundred dollars or a few thousand, it’s essential to know the specifics. Inspecting your property can give you an idea of what kind of issues you’re dealing with; it’s the first step to finding a permanent solution to your issues and eventually reinforcing your business’s structural integrity.

For instance, the foundation repair method will vary between property owners with extensive damage in their concrete slab foundation compared to those who only require basic repairs or a sump pump installation in their basement due to a poor drainage system.

Another example is the different expenses of someone with a severe case of a shifting foundation compared to those with minor cracks in their foundation walls. Be sure to determine the root cause of your foundation problem so it will be much easier to come up with an estimated cost to repair it.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a quick overview outlining the potential severity of repairs you might encounter while inspecting your foundation:

Minor Repairs

Minor issues include small cracks along your walls and floors, slight unevenness of sloping in floors, minor gaps around your doors or windows, and minimal leaks in your basement foundation or crawl spaces. Generally, minor issues like these can be resolved relatively easily and at a lower cost.

Moderate Repairs

Problems that may require a moderate repair method include wall cracks wider than 1/8 inch, misaligned doors and windows, bowing floors and walls, and noticeable water intrusion in your basement or crawl space. While moderate issues may require more extensive repairs compared to minor ones, they can be addressed efficiently without necessarily racking up expensive costs.

Major Repairs

These issues require prompt action: large, diagonal cracks or wide, horizontal cracks in the foundation or walls, a severe settling or sinking foundation, water damage and mold growth, and, in extreme cases, the complete failure of entire foundation parts, such as a crumbling foundation that could lead to structural collapse. These issues usually require more complex and comprehensive methods, which could translate to more significant expenses.

A General Overview: How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost?

Let’s start by tackling the big question: What makes a repair project for a foundation cost so much? There’s a list of different factors you should consider and keep in mind when budgeting for costs.

According to Forbes Home, the cost of repairing a foundation in 2024 ranges from $200 to $52,000, with an average cost of $5,400. That’s quite a broad range, so let’s break it down:

Type of Issue

For starters, the exact nature of your foundation problems also affects how much money you’ll have to spend on repairs. This includes matters like foundation cracks, leaks, bowing walls, foundation sinking, shifting, settling, or even the total replacement of your foundation. Ultimately, the overall cost of foundation repair projects depends on the severity of the issues that need to be addressed.

Foundation crack repair costs: $35-$1,000
Foundation leak repair costs: $2,000-$7,300
Sinking foundation repair costs: $5,300-$17,000
Curved wall repair costs: $4,300-13,000
Complete foundation replacement costs: $20,000-$100,000

Type of Foundation Repairs

The type of foundation your property has can affect your costs. Whether you’ve got a slab-on-grade foundation, a crawlspace, a basement, or a pier and beam foundation, each type comes with its own set of repair methods with varying price tags.

Concrete foundation reinforcement costs: $4,300-$13,000
Mud jacking or concrete leveling costs: $3-$20 per square foot

Additional Expenses: Necessary Labor, Permits, and Materials

Lastly, on top of addressing the foundation problems themselves, there are additional factors to remember like labor costs, permits, and expensive materials like carbon fiber or steel reinforcement strips. Make sure to factor in these expenses when you plan your budget for your foundation repair project.

Labor costs: $45-$200 per hour
Materials costs: $1,000-$10,000

When Should You Hire a Foundation Repair Contractor?

Consider contacting a professional when you notice signs of foundation issues. Aside from the fact that promptly addressing your foundation problems can keep the issues from escalating, you can also get an estimate from a contractor by understanding the scope of work required and the associated costs. Even if you’re not sure if you really need repairs, speaking with a professional can give you clarity and peace of mind.

The Bottom Line

Your business’s foundation requires constant maintenance and repair to be able to function properly. Issues like cracks in the walls, doors, and windows that won’t shut properly, and uneven floors can escalate and worsen over time if left unchecked. So, when your foundation starts to show signs of wear and tear, make sure to reach out to foundation repair companies that can address your specific needs. They’ll get your foundation repair work on the road and restore it to its previous glory!

A thorough inspection from a trusted professional or an assessment from a structural engineer can help you get an estimate of your repair expenses. They can help you assess the situation and steer you in the right direction toward the necessary steps to ensure the health, stability, and integrity of your foundation.

Foundation Problems Specific to the Southwest Area

In the Southwest, foundation issues are a common headache for homeowners and business owners alike. The culprit? Our clay soil is prone to expanding and contracting depending on the weather. Whether it’s summer or winter, scorching heat and relentless rain impact the soil, resulting in foundation settlement, excess moisture, clogged drainage systems, and cracks in the foundation, among others.

Call Us for a Free Foundation Inspection!

Do you need an estimate for your foundation repair cost? Contact Powerlift Foundation Repair for a free quote! We know the Southwest areas like the back of our hands, so whether you need repairs for your business’s foundation or your business properties, we’ve got your back. We’re here to offer you services tailored to your needs at fair, affordable prices.