Here’s What You (Probably) Don’t Know About Foundation Repair That Could Harm Your Home (And Budget)
Paying less for a big expense like home foundation repair in Oklahoma can be a good thing. Given its serious nature, finding out less work being recommended on the home is also a good thing, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
Getting quotes from various foundation repair companies often leads to different prices and scopes of work. Through oversight or fear, underselling a job happens occasionally. In this case, underselling would mean recommending less work than is needed to stabilize the home.
Related Article: Your Home Foundation Repair Questions Answered
Underselling a foundation repair job in order to gain short term favor with customers can cause damage to a home, lead to costly repairs down the road, as well as create a lot of worry and uncertainty. What may seem like a good deal at first can ultimately result in major risks that could compromise a home’s structural integrity.
Looking for Honesty and Fairness in Foundation Evaluations
When it comes to selecting the right foundation repair company, most people (rightfully so) are on guard about receiving a quote for work that is not needed. Nobody wants to spend their hard-earned money on unnecessary repairs. As the trusted foundation repair experts for Oklahoma City’s KFOR.com, we recently wrote an article that addressed this topic. To find out how we saved two Edmond homeowners over $50,000.00, click here (link to KFOR.com article).
Unlike other services where the scope of work is well defined, foundation repair is subjective. There are no rules for what needs work and what doesn’t. Homeowners rely solely on the experience, knowledge, and opinion of whoever is evaluating their most important investment. The subjectivity of the industry, however, often leads to a wide variety of opinions regarding the scope of work needed to make their home structurally sound and stable.
Real Example of the Importance of Quoting a Job Correctly
We evaluated a home in northwest Oklahoma City that was experiencing significant exterior foundation-related issues. There were substantial cracks in the brick and mortar, separation between the trim and brick on the garage walls, and displacement of the frieze boards.
To learn more about causes and signs of foundation related movement, click here.
Subsequently, we provided a quote to that Oklahoma City customer for 14 exterior hydraulically-driven steel piers. We thoroughly explained our findings and the service needed to make the exterior of the home structurally sound and stable.
After answering the customer’s questions, he informed us that he had already received a quote from a different foundation repair company for 7 exterior steel piers – half of the work we recommended. He made it clear that one of the main reasons he contacted us was because, given the amount of issues the home was experiencing, he felt the first quote was too good to be true. We discussed the subjective nature of the foundation repair industry and recommended hiring a third party structural engineer.
To learn about the benefits of hiring a third party structural engineer and a reputable foundation repair company, check out our recent blog here.
The Reality of the Situation and Foundation Problems
Once the structural engineer evaluated the house and generated a report, we met with the customer to review his findings. The structural engineer recommended 14 exterior hydraulically driven steel piers – the exact same scope of work we recommended! Pleased with our knowledge and honesty, the customer chose us to perform the repairs. Not too long afterwards, we completed the work and the exterior of the home was structurally sound and stable. Our customer had peace of mind that the exterior issues were fixed once and for all and that he would not have to revisit the foundation repair process in the future.
“I had Noah come out and give me an estimate. He quoted me for 14 piers. Following week, I had a structural engineer come out and tell me where the piers should go. The structural engineer reports matched exactly the recommendation made by Oklahoma Foundation Solutions. The job was done in one day and they cleaned up after they were done.”
– Amine E., Angi Business Review
Potential Risks of Underselling a Home Foundation Repair Job
While it may be tempting to go with the lowest quote, it’s important to understand the consequences that come with incomplete repairs. For homeowners, the following are three potential risks and effects from a job not quoted correctly:
- Leads to More Extensive Damage. Inadequate, incomplete, or short-term, quick fixes may temporarily help visible signs of foundation related issues. If the full scope of work needed is not completed, however, deeper and unresolved issues will continue to persist. Over time, the underlying damage can get worse and lead to serious issues. The initial “savings” from a job that was not quoted correctly can turn into a major financial loss – often far more expensive than the original cost to fix the issues right the first time.
- Decreases In Home’s Value. Foundation issues can significantly reduce the value of your home. Not to mention that these types of problems are red flags to potential buyers. If the full scope of foundation related issues are not addressed, it can make it much more difficult to sell the home or force the seller to undergo significant repairs prior to listing.
- Causes Stress and Uncertainty. When foundation issues are not addressed properly it can create uncertainty, worry, and ongoing stress. Being forced to revisit the foundation repair process for the same (or worse) issues in the future is not only inconvenient but can also be emotionally draining.
It is just as important to not undersell a job as it is to not oversell a job. Choosing a foundation repair company that prioritizes honesty and transparency over short-term sales tactics can save homeowners a lot of money, time, and stress.
At Oklahoma Foundation Solutions, we recommend only what is needed. Nothing more. Nothing less. At OFS, we never sacrifice goodwill or reputation for profit. When it comes to your home, trust is paramount, and at OFS, trust is the cornerstone of our service. We understand the importance of transparency, expertise, and reliability in every step of the foundation repair process.
Our commitment goes beyond fixing foundations; it’s about building lasting trust with each homeowner. With a track record of excellence, countless satisfied customers, and a team dedicated to your home’s stability, OFS is the residential foundation repair company of choice for Oklahoma homeowners.
