So you have identified signs of foundation damage or feel your home is in need of parging. You can’t always DIY your way through these tasks. These are serious jobs with real risk of further damaging your property. It’s always recommended to at least run your situation by a professional contractor or company to get their advice before starting any work like this.
House parging and foundation repairs are a hefty investment. You can’t be shortsighted in this matter. There are more factors at play here than just the upfront cost. If a contractor does a bad job on your foundation, the expenses will keep adding up in the long-term and you’ll be no further ahead.
You could lose not just money, but time and peace of mind as well. The structural stability of your home depends on a sturdy foundation. If worse comes to worst, foundation damage could put your family’s health and safety at risk.
That’s why you should be careful before you hire a contractor or company for foundation repair or parging. Make sure that you trust them before you let them in your home. But don’t worry! There are many qualified professionals out there with good reputations and a solid history of jobs well-done. Based on our combined experience working in this industry for years, here are some questions you should ask any company you’re considering giving the job. These questions will be sure to put you in good hands:
Do they offer a free inspection and estimate?
Most companies offer a free inspection of your home and give you an estimate of the cost before you hire them. If the company offers this, take advantage and gauge how well-informed they are and also whether you can adjust the cost in your budget. This is a good opportunity to compare different contractors and decide who is the best fit for you before committing any further time or money to the project.
Do they offer a warranty?
A warranty shows a contractor is willing to do their best and stand by their work. No contractor wants to do a job for the second time, especially when they have to pay for it as well. Make sure that you read the warranty clearly and it has terms you agree with.
What is their track record?
Companies and contractors that have a detailed track record are often expensive. But in most cases, their experience and expertise are worth the price. Ask for their portfolio and history. When companies have been in business for a long time, they know their reputation is on the line with each job they do and should be prepared to provide examples of past work.
What does the reference think of them?
It is a good practice to ask for references before you hire a contractor. When they inform you of a reference, get in touch and ask about their experience with the contractor. Ask if they were satisfied with the contractor and if they would hire them again or recommend them to a friend. Ask whether they were able to work within the budget and time that was set aside for the project.
Have you read the reviews on them?
There are so many websites out there that have reviews on companies. You might do yourself a disservice if you don’t read reviews on a company before you hire them. But try to keep in mind that one good or bad review should not influence your decision. Every single business out there has at least one good review and one bad review. Observe the trends in the reviews you find. Are the majority negative or positive? You can read reviews on websites like BBB, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, etc.
Do they have licenses and insurance?
You should never compromise on a license. It proves a contractor’s credibility. The professional or company should also have proper insurance. House parging and foundation repair are big jobs. Reliable companies will make sure they protect their employees and their businesses. It’s often required by law to even work in the industry without them.
Can they get the necessary permits?
If a permit is required for the work, you should always make sure that a contractor or company can get any necessary permits before they start the work to avoid any surprises down the road.
How much payment are they asking?
You may have a tight budget and a contractor that gives you a much lower quote than others in the market may sound appealing. But you should realize that they’re cutting costs because they’re compromising on quality in some areas. They might be understaffed or use cheaper products. The low upfront cost may not be worth it in the long run. If something looks that far off between two bids, ask each company why the costs might be so different and compare their answers.
When do they expect payment?
One of the biggest red flags a company or contractor can give you is by asking for full payment before they complete the job. It is customary to ask for a small percentage as a deposit, and some portion of the fee due after the work is done. The contractor might also give you a quote to cover the necessary supplies and equipment. But stay away from contractors and companies that expect you to pay in full up front. This isn’t the norm.
More tips on hiring professionals for your house parging or foundation
- With work of this nature, unpredictable things can happen that might change a quote after the work has started. Nothing in life is guaranteed. But ask your contractor for a limit that they should not exceed. A reliable contractor will always try to give an accurate estimate and do their best to stick to it.
- Ask for certifications and credentials to understand their expertise and training
- Check if they use recognized and standard tools and products. Skills can’t compensate for low-quality tools and materials.
- Ask them what they intend to do in case of damage to any part of your house
- Make sure your agreement says they will clean up after themselves instead of leaving it to you
- It should also be easy to contact them before you hire them. They should be amicable, easy to communicate with, and be able to demonstrate their expertise quickly while evaluating your potential job