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HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD CONTRACTOR FOR YOUR FOUNDATION REPAIR

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How to choose a good contractor for your foundation repair

When you need to decide on a foundation repair company there are several factors you should inquire about to be sure the company is able to deliver a great product. Choosing the wrong company can be very expensive.

The questions below will give you the necessary information to make a good decision on your contractor.

1. How are you and the employees of your company trained?Listen closely – is there a real ongoing training program going on. Are there tests given and are they certified?

2. How is pile/pier tested? Do they have ICC-ES (International Code Council – Evaluation Services)? Do they do pile load test for engineering firms?If they can’t meet these code requirements I would not use them.

3. How long have they been manufacturing their piles / piers?There should be a good history.

4. What is their failure rate and how often do they have to re-adjust a pile /pier?A good contractor should rarely have to repair or replace his materials.

5. Do their materials hold any patents?There answer should be yes and be able to prove with patent numbers.

6. How do they warranty their work and products?There should be a limited lifetime warranty that is transferable.

TIPS TO AVOID FOUNDATION PROBLEMS FROM YOUR FOUNDATION EXPERTS

It is very important that the area around your house has proper drainage away from the foundation. Ground water should never be allowed to pool next to the house. Water that pools against the house can get down below the foundation and cause shifting to take place.

1. Annually inspect the ground at lease 5 feet from the house immediately after a rainstorm.
2. If there is pooling of water, take measures to slope the ground away from the house.
3. Downspouts should be sloped away from the house and the water should be dispersed 3-4 feet away.

By keeping water away from the foundation of your house you will reduce the risk of shifting that causes foundation problems.

A+ Approved Foundation Repair Experts BBB Certified

What does CPS’s “A” ranking from the BBB mean for you?

By MichaelPersaud

 Posted April 16, 2013

In Industry Information

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CPS Foundation Repair has an “A” ranking by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This means we are trusted to deliver quality services with quality materials. 

Below are the areas which are measured by the (BBB) and used to come up with a rating:

1. Type of Business
2. Time in Business
3. Competency Licensing
4. Complaint Volume
5. Unanswered Complaints
6. Unresolved Complaints
7. Serious Complaints
8. Complaint Analysis
9. Complaint Resolution Delayed
10. Failure to Address Complaint Pattern
11. Government Action
12. Advertising Review
13. Background Information
14. Clear understanding of business
15. Mediation/arbitration
16. Revocation

Below is an explanation of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) from Wikipedia.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust, consisting of 113 independently incorporated local BBB organizations in the United States and Canada, coordinated under the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) in Washington, D.C. In 2012, the BBB celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The BBB collects and provides free business reliability reviews on more than 4 million businesses to over 100 million requests from consumers in 2012, helping make the BBB’s website rank among the top 500 most-visited websites in the United States. The BBB serves as an intermediary between consumers and businesses, handling nearly 1 million consumer disputes against businesses in 2012. The BBB also alerts the public to scams, reviews advertising, and assists when donating to charity.

Nearly 400,000 local businesses in North America support the BBB. The BBB invites successfully vetted businesses to become dues-paying Accredited Businesses that pledge and continue to adhere to the BBB Code of Business Practices. In return, the BBB allows Accredited Businesses to use its logo and dispute resolution services.

Although it has “bureau” in its name, the Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with any governmental agency. Businesses that affiliate with the BBB and adhere to its standards do so through industry self-regulation. To avoid bias, the BBB’s policy is to refrain from recommending or endorsing any specific business, product or service.

Finding the Perfect Fit

We all know that a key fits in a lock and a foot fits in a shoe, but do you know what you are looking for in a foundation repair Company? Let us help you. As a Kansas City foundation repair Company, we know what to look for. Below is a list of questions that you need to ask yourself and make sure that you have the answers to. Companies need to be held accountable and as a legit Company, we want what’s best for you and your home.

The BBB (Better Business Bureau) recommends asking yourself the following questions:

1. How long has the Kansas City foundation repair Company been in business?
2. What method of foundation repair are you comfortable with and what Company specializes in that? You may need to do some research on the first question in order to answer this second question.
3. Is the business location clean and organized? This shows their work ethic, how they will be on the job. May want to pay them a visit.
4. Is a city permit required for the area you live in?
5. Does the Kansas City foundation repair Company have workman’s compensation and liability insurance? If so, have them mail you a copy of their certificate of insurance to your home.
6. Will the employees of the Company be at your home or temporary contracted laborers?
7. Will there be a supervisor or project manager overseeing the project?
8. Is the Company willing to give you referrals? Then, check with the references to see what their experiences with the Company was like.

Word to the wise, be sure you understand the terms of payment and the warranty before you sign. Never take it for granted that a Company looks legit. Looks can also be deceiving. I hope these will help you out in your future endeavors. May the Kansas City foundation repair Company, you choose, serve you well and may your foundation stand strong in 2016!

How to Avoid Home Foundation Issues

Like most people you probably don’t think about your home foundation until you’ve experience cracks or leaks.  When cracks and leaks show up, you’ve already ignored problems that can be costly and serious.  CPS Foundation Repair we wanted to provide you 4 mistakes that can cause home foundation frustrations if unresolved.

1. Water Woes – always avoid letting the soil around your house completely dry out and shrink during a long dry season.  When you are in Missouri/Kansas area the soil is clay and majority of times during your next big rain it soaks the soil and makes it expand dramatically and causes stress on your home foundation walls.  Our suggestion is to soak the soil around your house at least 6 inches from your home foundation and 3 inches under the soil during dry season.
2. Root Riots – keep in mind your trees and shrub roots can complete with your soil for moisture during dry seasons.  This will cause your home foundation to settle and sink unevenly.  If that happens your drywall can crack and windows/doors will stick in frames.  Here is what we recommend:  plant deep-rooted trees and shrubs away from your home foundation.  If the branches touch your house, than it is way too close.
3. Grading Gaffes – most the time poor soil excavation can direct water toward the base of you home foundation walls.  If you like to prevent this from happening, you can ensure your yard is graded at least 6 inches in 10 feet so soil slopes away from your home.  You may need to build up a berm, dig trench, or install a French drain to funnel rainwater and runoff away from your home.
4. Downspout Downer – remember downspouts should direct rain and roof runoff away from your home.  If it is not extended 5 – 10 feet away from the house, you’ll dump water on your home foundation.  Easily resolve this issue by buying extenders at your local hardware store or bury a long downspout diverted underground and drain the water to the curb, storm drain, or a spot in your yard where water will will go into the soil.

How to Avoid Home Foundation Issues

Like most people you probably don’t think about your home foundation until you’ve experience cracks or leaks.  When cracks and leaks show up, you’ve already ignored problems that can be costly and serious.  CPS Foundation Repair we wanted to provide you 4 mistakes that can cause home foundation frustrations if unresolved.

1. Water Woes – always avoid letting the soil around your house completely dry out and shrink during a long dry season.  When you are in Missouri/Kansas area the soil is clay and majority of times during your next big rain it soaks the soil and makes it expand dramatically and causes stress on your home foundation walls.  Our suggestion is to soak the soil around your house at least 6 inches from your home foundation and 3 inches under the soil during dry season.
2. Root Riots – keep in mind your trees and shrub roots can complete with your soil for moisture during dry seasons.  This will cause your home foundation to settle and sink unevenly.  If that happens your drywall can crack and windows/doors will stick in frames.  Here is what we recommend:  plant deep-rooted trees and shrubs away from your home foundation.  If the branches touch your house, than it is way too close.
3. Grading Gaffes – most the time poor soil excavation can direct water toward the base of you home foundation walls.  If you like to prevent this from happening, you can ensure your yard is graded at least 6 inches in 10 feet so soil slopes away from your home.  You may need to build up a berm, dig trench, or install a French drain to funnel rainwater and runoff away from your home.
4. Downspout Downer – remember downspouts should direct rain and roof runoff away from your home.  If it is not extended 5 – 10 feet away from the house, you’ll dump water on your home foundation.  Easily resolve this issue by buying extenders at your local hardware store or bury a long downspout diverted underground and drain the water to the curb, storm drain, or a spot in your yard where water will will go into the soil.

Cost for Foundation Repair?

  “What is the cost for foundation repair?” – Seems like the most common question from our customers.

Now that’s a very tricky question!  Keep in mind every case is different therefore cost associated with foundation repair can be different.  As Kansas City‘s foundation repair experts we understand you want the money you spend put to the best used.  Therefore we always recommend homeowners to request for estimates from multiple companies.

When looking at multiple estimate and trying to determine foundation repair cost, keep these following question in mind: 

• How long have the company been in business?  Keep in mind the warranty provided is as good as the longevity of the company
• What kind of piling is going to be installed?
• Did the company do a complete home evaluation with measurement devices?
• Was evaluation done by a certified engineer?
• Did they address any interior movement?
• What is the total cost?  Ensure they include any additional after project begins.

Is very hard to say how much foundation repair cost but at CPS Foundation Repair we do our best to ensure we get our customers back on a firm foundation.