To the untrained eye, foundation work may look like unskilled labor—a lot of digging and moving earth. But it’s actually a specialized field, requiring significant experience and expertise to perform correctly. Quite literally, the entire value of a home rests on its foundation, and it’s not work you want done by just anyone.
Most people might find it hard to evaluate a foundation contractor. Most of the work is hidden out of sight, and even if it’s visible, few have the expertise to evaluate its quality. But there are easily discovered and evaluated factors that are reliable indicators of whether a contractor is likely to do quality work.
“The first thing to look for in a contractor is whether they’re on time for a bid,” advises George Walton, owner of Alameda Structural, Inc. “It’s like a job interview. If you don’t show up on time, you probably won’t get the job. It’s the same with contractors. If they’re late for a bid, they’re probably going to be late in completing the job.”
While foundation work and seismic retrofitting require expertise, they don’t necessarily require engineering experience. In fact, says Mr. Walton, most residential foundation jobs generally don’t require engineered plans, like two-story buildings on relatively flat ground and retaining walls of less than 30 inches. A contracting firm doesn’t need to have engineers on staff, but it should have long-term relationships with several consulting engineers for jobs that require engineering work. Using an independent engineer instead of a contractor’s employee provides a disinterested professional opinion upon which a homeowner can rely.
Mr. Walton also stresses the importance of referrals, advising homeowners to ask for the last 10 jobs a contractor has completed—not just the last 10 successful ones. Call them and ask if the contractor showed up every day. Did they keep the jobsite clean and safe? Were they polite and considerate to the neighbors? These are all indirect ways to assess workmanship and gauge how prideful the company and its employees are of their work.
The final thing to look for, says Mr. Walton, is organization. Does the contractor write down the necessary details as they’re revealed? Is his paperwork organized? Does he use checklists? These are indicators that the contractor will be able to deliver the job on time and within budget.
Finally, Mr. Walton advises against hiring any contractor who asks for money up front. “That’s a red flag,” he says. “If the first thing they want is 10 to 20 percent upfront, you should consider taking your business elsewhere. They’re taking money to pay for past mistakes.” A reputable contractor only invoices for work that’s been completed or materials that have been purchased.
