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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January 1, 2011 By

How to choose a foundation repair company in Dallas Ft. Worth

At last count, over 120 companies were offering foundation repair services.  Some offer extremely low cost foundation repair.  There are a few simple steps to choosing a foundation repair company.

  • Check with the Better Business Bureau for accreditation rating and complaints.  With regard to complaints, problems do sometimes arise.  Check that the company promptly resolved the complaint.
  • Confirm a valid liability insurance policy of at least $1 million dollars.  If the unexpected occurs, you need assurance that the contractor can cover the damages.
  • Worker’s Compensation Insurance is extremely  important in Texas.  It protects the employee, the contractor, and the homeowner.  This insurance is normally paid by the contractor.   It is not cheap, so many forgo the expense.  If there is no Texas Worker’s Compensation Insurance, an employee injured on your property can sue you for all medical expenses.  Don’t accept a contractor’s promises to assume all liability. A contractor can not limit the employee’s ability to sue you, the homeowner.  The employee can not sue for medical expenses if he is covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
  • Verify that the company has a clearly written, understandable and transferable warranty for all foundation repairs.   There is no insurance company in Texas that underwrites foundation repair and there is no State owned trust fund.
  • Verify all the terms of the contract. Do not accept any verbal promises.
  • Obtain a copy of the installation procedures for the repair method that you are buying.
  • Obtain references.
  • Obtain in writing that the company will not employ sub-contractors (who might not be insured).
  • Don’t be pressured to make a fast decision because of a $500 gift card or a deep discount offer.
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August 12, 2010 By

Why is it Important for a Foundation Repair Contractor to Carry Workers Comp Insurance in Texas?

Workers Compensation Insurance in Texas protects a homeowner from the liability of having to pay for medical costs incurred as a result of injury on the job site. Always ask to see a current certificate of insurance before work begins at your property.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance is expensive.  Real expensive.  At Granite Foundation Repair our annual Worker’s Compensation Insurance premium is well into five figures.

Many a contractor has been known to skip the expense and take his chances.  The contractor knows that the burden of medical injury expense and liability rests as much with the homeowner as the contractor.

The contractor can not enter into an agreement with the homeowner such as ” If my employees get injured on your property, I will hold you harmless for their expenses”.  The employer does not have the legal authority to sign away his employee’s legal rights.

A Worker’s Compensation Insurance Certificate is your assurance that the employee must seek restitution for injury through the Workers Comp plan, and not from the employer or the homeowner.

We are not attempting by the statements above to act as an attorney. Please consult with your attorney…

and please, insist upon that current insurance certificate.   A reputable foundation repair company can ask its insurance company to provide you with a named certificate.. further assurance that the insurance is fully in force.

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September 16, 2009 By

Why should I hire a foundation repair company that is a member of the Foundation Repair Association?

There are over a hundred companies in the Dallas Fort Worth area that advertise foundation repair services.     So who can you trust?

There is no licensing of foundation repair companies in Texas. Buyer beware when an ad states Licensed

The Foundation Repair Association is a professional national organization that exists to promote high ethical standards in the practice of foundation repair and to promote cooperation between the foundation repair industry and government.

Here are some of the criteria that the Association members must adhere to:

  • The maintenance of a minimum of $500,000 of General Liability Insurance ( verified annually).
  • The maintenance of Texas Workers Compensation Insurance or employee accident insurance (verified annually).
  • An active foundation repair business for a minimum of three years.
  • Satisfactory BBB report for the foundation repair business.

Granite Foundation Repair is a member of the Foundation Repair Association.

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