February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Foundation Repair Contractors & Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance provides important protection for homeowners in Texas.

If your contractor does not have the insurance, you are liable for injuries incurred on your property, even if you have the contractor sign a waiver.  A contractor can not legally waive the employees right to sue you. Your only protection comes from a contractor who carries Workers Compensation Insurance.

Be certain to get a current copy of the policy before allowing any foundation repair company, or for that matter, any other contractor to perform work at your house.

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February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Can a homeowner sue a contractor?

In Texas there is only one way to protect yourself against contractor employee injuries at your house. The contractor must have Workers Compensation Insurance policy.

Don’t be fooled by promises  that the foundation repair contractor will be responsible for all injuries. Even when the contractor provides a signed statement, you, the property owner are not protected.  At least one homeowner has lost his property to an injured employee of a foundation repair contractor. It is Texas law that the contractor can not sign away an employee’s right to sue you.

Your best protection against suit by a contractor working on your property is to demand a current copy of the Workers Compensation Insurance Policy before work begins.

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February 19, 2011 By

How to find a reliable foundation repair contractor

We will talk about 3 sources of information on reliable foundation repair contractors: The Better Business Bureau, The Foundation Repair Association, and Angie’s List.

The State of Texas does not license foundation repair. This has lead an influx of unreliable foundation contractors.  They promise fast, cheap repairs and offer huge discounts.

Member companies of the Foundation Repair Association must meet high ethical standards of business and advertising,  For continuing membership the member company is reviewed annually and  must remain in good standing in the industry.

The Better Business Bureau is a good source to check out the reliability of a contractor.  The BBB has a rating system, the highest of which is an A+.

The Fort Worth and Dallas Better Business Bureaus are separate entities operating under one banner.  To avoid confusion, only one BBB will provide a rating. This is the BBB which covers the hometown of the contractor’s corporate headquarters.

Angie’s List has become a popular, reliable source of information for foundation contractors.  This is a subscription service for members only.  Advertising in the Angie’s List magazine is by invitation only that is extended to companies that have received favorable ratings by other Angie’s List members.

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February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Free Foundation Inspection

At the first sign of a possible foundation problem, you should contact a foundation repair company for a free foundation inspection.

A good inspector will not only look at the problem, but also try to determine the cause, to aid in preventing further damage.

Some cracks are normal in any house.   An free foundation inspection by a reputable foundation repair contractor can go a long ways toward providing peace of mind.

If there is a problem, it is best to get it repaired, since problems tend to spread with time unless caught early. After the inspection and evaluation of your foundation. Our foundation repair experts will advise you on the type of foundation repair that fits your needs best.

Most often in the Dallas and Ft. Worth areas, steel pier foundation repair is the best method. There are other methods that are less expensive, but they do not offer long term results.

A free foundation inspection can save you headaches in the future. The earlier you detect and repair foundation problems, the less expensive it is. The longer a home has foundation problems, typically, the more it costs to repair the foundation. Due to the makeup of the soil and clay in the Dallas and Ft. Worth area, steel pier foundation repair works the best.

Your free foundation inspection will include an analysis of your foundation, a recommended course of action and any information related to the foundation that is effecting other parts of the home.

Once we know the condition of the foundation, we can recommend the type of foundation repair. From our free foundation inspection, we’ll know exactly what the needs of the home are, if any. Many homes in the Dallas and Ft. Worth area need a foundation repair of some sort. That is why we offer a free foundation inspection.

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February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What is included in a free foundation inspection?

A free foundation inspection should include the following:

  • Use of a zip-level to record floor elevations in every effected room.
  • Exterior and interior inspection for signs of physical damage and movement.
  • Landscape evaluation including drainage, soil movement, location of trees, and condition of retainer walls.
  • Contour analysis to determine foundation movement and shifts.
  • Discussion with the home owner about concerns and any past problems or foundation repairs.
  • Discussion of foundation repair methods and options.

The homeowner should walk with the inspector and ask questions.  If the house has been recently repaired or remodeled, the changes should be identified.  Recent repairs may mask signs of foundation problems.

Check the credentials of the inspector.  The employees at Granite Foundation Repair work under the direction of the local owner, an engineer, who is a Certified Foundation Repair Specialist.  At present there is no licensing of foundation companies in Texas, so to fill the void, the Foundation Repair Association has established a program of certification, continuing education, and annual review.

After this complete foundation inspection, we will be able to determine the needs of your home or office. The foundation inspection will tell us the exact areas of need and alert us to any other potential issues in the home. Once we determine all the areas of need, we can discuss the foundation repair options. In most cases, steel pier foundation repair is the best solution.

While a foundation inspection can be given by just about anyone, it is important to have a Certified Foundation Repair Specialist conduct your foundation inspection. This repair specialist does attend educational classes on foundation repair and goes through a certification program. Make sure your inspector is a certified foundation repair specialist when they inspect your foundation.

After a foundation inspection, the homeowner should understand any foundation issues with their home, if any. They should also understand the options for repairing their foundation.

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