Perhaps you've noticed misaligned doors and windows or floors that are uneven in your house. Maybe you've even seen cracked bricks or flooring. These are warning signs that you have a damaged foundation that needs repairing. Time to start calling foundation repair companies. When you're interviewing potential candidates, keep in mind the following topics.

1. Experience with Foundation Repair

Construction companies may present themselves as Jacks of all trades, listing foundation repair among a dozen other kinds of jobs they take on. However, just because they list foundation repair doesn't mean they're experts in the field.

You'll want to discuss a potential company's actual experience in repairing foundations. Many experts suggest you want a company with at least 20 years of experience specifically in that area. Ideally, you should look for companies that advertise themselves only for foundation repair.

2. Licensure and Insurance

In that vein, you want to ensure a potential foundation repair company is licensed in that area. Don't be afraid to ask to see a license or certification. In some cases, all employees should be certified in that area before they're allowed on a crew. Along the same lines, ask about what permits they'll need to pull.

Likewise, you'll want to see proof of insurance as well. Any reputable company will have insurance to cover workers' compensation. They should also have a general business liability policy as well as a commercial vehicle policy.

3. References

Going back to the experience topic, the hope is that the company has been doing business in your area for some years. That way, you have the potential to talk to past clients about their experiences. Every company pitching for a job is going to put its best foot forward - you want to find out if they keep up that level of professionalism.

Many companies have lists of satisfied customers. You could ask for a copy of the list to make phone calls. You can also check reviews of the company online - just remember people often only leave reviews when they're dissatisfied. Finally, a quick search of the Better Business Bureau should give you a clear idea of how the company does business.

4. Contractors Assigned to the Job

When you interview candidates for the foundation repair job, you'll often be talking to an owner or a foreman. Who actually shows up to the job site is a different matter. When talking to potential repair companies, find out how many contractors they'll be sending out, and whether they're certified.

Likewise, ask if the company sends out employees or temporary labor. If it's the latter, you don't necessarily need to disqualify that company. Instead, follow up with more questioning, such as whether they hire the same temporary workers and how much supervision the crew will be under.

5. Approach to Foundation Repair

Foundation repair specialists have different methods at their disposal for repairing a foundation. The two most common methods are hydraulic jacking and slabjacking. Hydraulic jacking involves driving steel posts through the unstable soil and using the jacks to stabilize the foundation. Slabjacking involves pumping grout under the slab to boost it back into place.

The correct method for repairing your foundation depends on the cause of the distress. When talking with your local repair company, discuss the cause of your foundation issues and what their preferred repair approach is.

6. Cost

Cost shouldn't be the most important factor in choosing a foundation repair company because getting the job done correctly is more important. However, cost is still a factor.

When talking to the company, ask for an outline of all costs involved in the repair. Don't be afraid to ask for an itemized bid. Take your time looking it over. If a cost seems a little high, ask the company about it. Watch for their reaction as they answer your question.

Have a frank conversation with potential repair companies before hiring them to complete your foundation repair. Start with the experts at Bonilla Foundation Repair.