Gary's Quote Process
Five contractors, five very different experiences.
Contractor One: The Scare Tactics
This guy showed up in a company shirt, looked at Gary's wall for about ten minutes, then spent forty minutes explaining how the house could collapse if Gary didn't act immediately. He offered a "today only" discount of $3,000 off if Gary signed before he left.
His quote was $11,500. Gary didn't sign. The wall didn't collapse. Classic high-pressure tactics designed to prevent you from getting other quotes.
Contractor Two: The Lowball
Quote of $7,200. Sounded great until we read the details. Four anchors instead of six. No drainage work included. One-year warranty instead of the 25-year warranties others offered. The low price came from cutting corners.
We also couldn't find many reviews for this company. They'd been in business two years. Gary passed.
Contractor Three: The Professional
This was the one Gary eventually chose. The estimator spent over an hour inspecting. He measured the bow, checked the drainage situation, looked at the soil around the foundation, asked about water history. His quote was $8,400 for six anchors plus $800 for drainage improvements.
He explained exactly what was wrong, why anchors were the right choice, and what would happen if Gary chose not to repair. No pressure, just information. Twenty-five year transferable warranty.
Contractor Four: The Upsell
Quote of $12,500. Included anchors, extensive drainage work Gary didn't need, and some interior waterproofing that wasn't necessary given his situation. When Gary asked about reducing scope, the estimator pushed back hard. His company does "complete solutions" not "partial fixes."
The work they proposed was legitimate but excessive for Gary's actual problem.
Contractor Five: The Engineer Referral
This company was recommended by the structural engineer I'd used for my own evaluation. Quote of $8,800, slightly higher than Gary chose but with excellent warranty terms and good reviews going back 15 years.
Gary almost chose them. The $400 difference wasn't significant. But Contractor Three had done work for a neighbor, and that personal reference tipped the decision.
Where to Find Contractors
Build your list from multiple sources.
Neighbors and Friends
Gary found one contractor because another neighbor had used them. That personal reference is valuable because you can see the actual work and ask real questions. Has it held up? Were there problems? Would you use them again?
Ask around before going online. Foundation problems are more common than people admit. Someone you know has probably dealt with this.
Structural Engineers
If you've had an engineer evaluate your foundation, ask who they recommend. Engineers see foundation repair work constantly. They know who does quality work and who doesn't. And they have no financial incentive to recommend anyone specific.
This is how Gary found Contractor Five. Worth asking.
Online Reviews
Google, Yelp, BBB, Angi. But be skeptical. Reviews can be gamed. Look for patterns across multiple sites rather than isolated ratings. Pay attention to how companies respond to negative reviews. A defensive or aggressive response tells you something.
Who to Avoid
Door-knockers who happen to be in the neighborhood. Companies with no physical address you can verify. Anyone who can't provide proof of licensing and insurance. Anyone who wants significant money upfront before starting work.
Initial Screening
Narrow your list before spending time on quotes.
Verify Licensing
Foundation repair contractors should be licensed. Check your state's contractor licensing board online. If they're not licensed, they shouldn't be touching your foundation. Period.
Confirm Insurance
Ask for certificates of liability insurance and workers' compensation. Call the insurance company to verify coverage is current. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn't insured, that's your problem.
Check Longevity
How long have they been in business? Foundation repair warranties can be 25 years. If a company has been around for 2 years, that warranty is a bet on their survival. Contractor Two's short history was a red flag.
Established companies with 10+ years are safer bets.
Ask About Methods
What systems do they install? Are they certified by the manufacturers? A company that works with name-brand pier or anchor systems is typically more professional than one using generic or homemade solutions.
During the Quote Visit
What to watch for when they come out.
The Inspection
A good estimator inspects thoroughly. Gary's chosen contractor spent over an hour. He looked at everything. The scare-tactics guy spent ten minutes looking at the wall and forty minutes selling.
If someone quotes a price without really examining your foundation, that price is probably wrong.
Diagnosis Before Solution
Good contractors explain what's wrong and why before proposing repairs. They should describe the problem, the cause, and how their solution addresses both. If someone jumps straight to selling their system without diagnosing your specific situation, be cautious.
Willingness to Walk Away
The best contractors will tell you if they don't think you need their services. Contractor Three told Gary that if the bow had been half an inch, he'd recommend monitoring rather than repair. A contractor who finds expensive problems every single time might be finding problems that don't exist.
Questions They Ask
They should ask about water history, when you noticed problems, whether things have gotten worse, and what your plans are for the space. These questions help them understand your situation. A contractor who doesn't ask questions isn't trying to understand your problem.
Red Flags
Warning signs Gary learned to recognize.
High-Pressure Sales
Today-only pricing. Your house might collapse. Sign before I leave or lose the discount. These are manipulation tactics. Real foundation problems rarely require same-day decisions. Anyone using pressure is trying to prevent you from getting other opinions.
Contractor One did all of these. Gary walked away.
Huge Instant Discounts
If they can do the work for $8,000, why did they quote $11,500? The original price wasn't real. It was anchor pricing designed to make the "discount" feel like a win. Real pricing is consistent.
Large Upfront Deposits
Some deposit is normal for materials, usually 10-30%. Contractor Three asked for 50% down, 50% on completion. Contractor One wanted 70% upfront. Large upfront payments reduce their incentive to finish quality work.
Vague Contracts
Get detailed written proposals specifying exactly what work will be done, what materials, how many anchors or straps, what warranty terms. If a contractor won't put it in writing, don't hire them.
Cash Preferences
A contractor who wants cash only is avoiding taxes and paper trails. Pay by check or credit card so you have documentation if problems arise.
Comparing Quotes
Make sure you're comparing equivalent work.
Scope Matching
Gary's quotes ranged from 4 to 8 anchors, with varying levels of additional work. You can't compare a $7,200 quote for 4 anchors to an $8,400 quote for 6 anchors. Normalize the scope before comparing prices.
Warranty Terms
One-year warranties aren't the same as 25-year warranties. Transferable warranties aren't the same as non-transferable. Compare warranty coverage as part of the price comparison.
What's Included
Permits? Cleanup? Concrete repair? Yard restoration? Annual follow-up visits? Make sure you know what's included and what's extra.
Price Isn't Everything
Gary could have saved $1,200 with the lowball quote. He'd have gotten fewer anchors, a shorter warranty, and a company that might not exist in five years. The $8,400 quote was the best value, not the cheapest price.
Questions to Ask
Get specific answers before committing.
About the Work
How many anchors? What depth? What happens if you hit rock or water? What's the timeline? Who does the actual work, employees or subcontractors?
About the Warranty
What exactly is covered? How long? Is it transferable? What would void it? How do you make a claim? What if the company is sold or goes out of business?
About Add-On Costs
What happens if you find more damage? Gary's contract specified that additional anchors would be $1,200 each if needed. Knowing the add-on pricing upfront prevents surprises.
About References
Can I talk to customers from a few years ago? Not just recent jobs, but work that's had time to prove itself. Actually call the references and ask detailed questions.
The Independent Check
One more step before signing.
Engineering Opinion
I paid $350 for a structural engineer to evaluate my own foundation. That opinion was independent of any contractor. If you're spending thousands on repairs, spending $300-500 for an independent opinion is worth it.
The engineer can tell you if the proposed work is appropriate and necessary.
Second Look at Recommendations
If one contractor recommends major work and others don't, figure out why. Maybe one is overselling. Maybe the others are missing something. The discrepancy is worth understanding.
Your Own Research
Understand what's being proposed. Read about wall anchors or piers or whatever system they're recommending. The more you understand, the better you can evaluate contractors. They can't snow you if you know what you're talking about.