11 Best Foundation Companies in Chicago, IL

On average, Chicago homeowners pay around $3,032 for foundation repair, although the actual cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The best way to estimate the cost of a specific project is to request quotes from a handful of local foundation repair companies. The amount you pay for a job will be determined by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

Types of foundation repair include leak repair, crack repair, stabilization, underpinning, and waterproofing.

For both leak repair and crack repair, a technician will come to your home, perform an inspection, and use various repair techniques to remedy leaks or cracks. The amount you spend will vary greatly depending on the size and root cause of the problem.

Stabilization is the process of fixing bowing walls by inserting steel or carbon fiber strips. The amount you spend will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are needed. The cost of underpinning also varies. This process, also called piering or leveling, involves underpinning your foundation with concrete piers to level it; the cost will be based on how many piers are needed.

If you're looking to waterproof your foundation or basement, we suggest finding a waterproofing specialist. This process may include outdoor waterproofing, indoor waterproofing, or both.

When constructing a new home, have a soil report completed. A soil report will contain information regarding how well your soil can support a foundation, and can offer you a heads-up about any potential future problems. If your concerns are about an existing house, for a few hundred dollars, you can get an inspection and report by a structural engineer. The engineer can point you to any issues that need attention, and give you advice on avoiding future problems.

It's also important that the moisture around your foundation is appropriate. Don't let the soil around your Chicago home get too dry or too wet; at different times, you might find yourself having to reroute your gutters or water your foundation. You should also stay vigilant for leaky gutters or pipes, so you can get them repaired quickly.

Your foundation repair expert should be the one obtaining the permits. You can request that the company provide a detailed explanation of its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has assembled to make sure everything is properly authorized per Chicago regulations.

If your foundation needs of waterproofing, you might notice signs like discoloration or odors, hairline cracks, uneven floors, basement flooding, white powder or spots on your walls, or signs of mold, fungus, or mildew.

We advise against putting off foundation repairs. A single issue may have an underlying cause that could potentially result in future problems, and it's best to get ahead of the issue as soon as possible. A small and moderately costly problem now could turn into a large and expensive one in the future if left untreated.