A Foundation Repair Contract Can Become Your Worst Nightmare If You Don’t Understand How To Spot The Red Flags

Since most of us don’t have degrees in engineering or law – or experience in construction, it’s easy not to see these red flags when signing a construction contract.

A low bid should raise a red flag, but a contract that is not clear as to how much it will actually cost when all is said done is like signing a blank check and telling the contractor to fill in the amount due when he is done.

Does the contract make an allowance for permits or include permits in the contract?

A structural permit for foundation repairs is required by law because engineering is crucial to the safety of the home and its occupants. Watch for contracts that try to skirt around the issue with statements like;

RED FLAG STATEMENT: “we will include the permit if you desire; there will be additional costs if the permit exceeds a specific amount; preparing and acquiring permits is extra.”

If you know that unpermitted construction was done on your home, you must, by law, disclose the issue to all potential buyers. You’ll most likely do this on a state-specific disclosure statement, which typically (in most states) asks the seller to report any known legal issues or unpermitted construction on the property.

Will contractor attest as to the stability of the foundation?

There are reasons contractors do not draw permits; one is, most contractors are unable to pour properly engineered footings in a limited crawl space. Properly engineered footings sustain as well as transmit the house loads to the soil and prevent your home from shifting or settling into the ground beneath. If the footings are unstable the foundation is unstable. Check the warranty in the contract, look for a disclaimer that states;

RED FLAG STATEMENT: movements in the structure from the stability of the foundation due to soil movement now or in the future is not covered.

Does the contractor assume the cost of related damage to the home from the repair or do you?

Are cosmetic stucco or siding repairs covered if damaged during the repair process? If not, you just found another red flag. Watch for the words; “change order”.

How Sure Safe does business:

Here at Sure Safe, our primary concern is your safety and the quality of the work performed. All our work is permitted, which means your home will be safe and the repair will pay for itself do to the added value. We do not use change orders, what you see is exactly what you pay. Our patented foundation repair will not just make your home safe; it will make your home ultra-safe! Contact us today to get a free proposal!