No one wants to see they have cracks in their home’s foundation. While some hairline fractures can be completely normal, due to settling and initial concrete curing, others can signal worsening structural concerns. Addressing cracks and other red flags in your home’s foundation early is key, and finding the right contractor for foundation repair in Los Angeles goes along with that.

Don’t leave the structural integrity of your building up to chance. Hire the right professional for the job.

What should you look for in a foundation repair contractor?

We have compiled this list of eight tips on finding a skilled and experienced contractor for foundation crack repair in Los Angeles…

1. Verify Licensing and Credentials: Any contractor worth his salt will be able to present you with proof of licensure, credentials, and affiliations. Contractors who have a license have met the state’s requirements for that industry. Never hire a contractor without a license. Just keep in mind a contractor’s license doesn’t mean that professional is an engineer – these are two very different things. Check the contractor’s credentials as well, to see if he is a member of organizations such as the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) or National Association for Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC). Find out if they are certified in earthquake retrofitting by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and the Los Angeles Department of Housing (LAHD). Additionally, check if they are authorized to perform trench excavation by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA). Do they have experience working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services (LANHS) or the Community Development Commission (CDC)?
2. Check BBB Ratings and Reviews: First, go on Angie’s List to check on any client or building inspector reviews. Yelp and Google are also good sites to try. Next, find out what their BBB rating is. If a contractor you’re considering has any bad reviews, complaints, or a history of unethical business practices, they will show up here.
3. Check on Warranty Offerings: Run the other way if your contractor does not provide a warranty on materials and labor. What recourse do you have if that contractor takes off right after the project, the materials fail because they were cheap, and you try to find the contractor to fix the job he botched? He’s long gone and won’t honor anything anyway because no warranty was in place. All structural and foundation repair projects should come with warranties, which means the contractor stands behind his work and is confident in the job he’s doing. If he fails to do it right, he knows he has to come back in the future and do it all over again. Not only will this help you get any potential problems fixed in the future, having a warranty will also help you appeal to buyers if you are planning on selling your house.
4. Research Track Record: One contractor may have decades in the business, but if he makes a habit of not showing up on time, is rude to you or his workers, or just doesn’t gel with your personality, you may just want to look elsewhere. Another contractor may lack extensive experience but more than makes up for that with enthusiasm about the job at hand, technical proficiency, good work ethic, and an easy going nature. Make sure the company you choose performs background checks on all contractors. Ask questions like: will you clean up thoroughly at the end of the day? Will you keep me in the loop in regards to the project from day to day? To whom should I go with any questions I may have? What will you do to ensure no damage happens to my home and property?
5. Evaluate Contractor’s Diagnosis and Proposal: Read the proposal thoroughly, and make sure you understand it. It’s your job to research this offering as much as possible so you can ask the right questions and check to make sure the contractor is providing the service you signed up for. Make sure the contractor performs a thorough inspection with documentation and photographs, and that they take the time to fully explain what issues they found and what they plan to do about it.
6. Learn Years in Business: As said above, the number of years a contractor has been in business doesn’t always automatically mean they are the best option. However, it is a good start. Not many contractors can enjoy a healthy business in one location over decades by providing sub-par service. The more years in business, the more experience, and the more projects under their belt – hopefully all successful ones.
7. Check in Permitting: Before performing a foundation crack repair in Los Angeles, contractors must pull a permit with the city. This ensures the job is up to code. Ask if your contractor will be handling this. Beware super-low price estimates from shady contractors who aren’t up front about the permit – they could be skipping this important step. They could also be using cheap materials that can come back to haunt you later.
8. Look Over the Payment Terms: Read the payment terms and conditions carefully. When is each payment due? What does each line item mean? What forms of payment does the contractor accept?

Choosing the right contractor for foundation repair in Los Angeles can seem daunting at first, but it’s not impossible. With the right research and questions, you can select a foundation repair contractor with confidence! Schedule your FREE inspection today online or by calling CXC Contracting at 805-300-8899.