5 Best Foundation Repair Companies Near Me in Ottumwa, IA

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Research and Content by the House Method Local Advisors - Updated March 9, 2023

People are often unsure how to react when they notice foundation issues. Many are worried both about the price of foundation repairs and the consequences of delaying them for too long. You may be worrying about the length of time foundation repairs might take on your house in Ottumwa. You might also worry about whether or not you'll be able to keep living in your home while the repairs are being done.

Read our list of Ottumwa's best foundation repair companies to relieve your anxieties. The experts on our list are reliable and will get the job done right the first time.

Best Overall
  • Leading foundation service provider
  • Warranty-backed solutions
  • Free inspections and estimates
Superb Reputation
  • Free estimates
  • 31 patents & 19 innovation awards
  • Over 20,000 customer reviews
Regional Experts
  • High customer satisfaction
  • Service for residential & commercial
  • Award winning service
Other Recommended Companies
Most Experienced
Best Limited Warranty

Our Picks for Foundation Repair Companies


Groundworks

Groundworks was founded in 1986 and is currently headquartered in Virginia Beach. Groundworks is focused on continuously growing and improving and changing the industry for the better. This includes providing comprehensive and ongoing employee training at Groundworks University. The company's services are customizable and backed by long-term warranties.

Basement Systems

Basement Systems was founded in 1990. Founder Larry Janesky had noticed problems with basement leakage in a house he was building, and set out to develop a permanent solution to the problem. The company later designed the first crawl space encapsulation system. It has now served over half a million customers, providing basement repair, waterproofing, and finishing services across the U.S. and Canada.

Helitech

Since 1987, Helitech has used "a strategic mix of economic, geotechnical, and structural solutions" to serve residential, commercial, and industrial customers across multiple states. Their seven physical locations serve customers throughout Missouri, Illinois, Southeastern Iowa, and Western Kentucky. They have been recognized as an industry expert by sources like The Associated Press and MSNBC, and have won the BBB Torch Award.

Ram Jack

Ram Jack boasts over 40 years of foundation repair experience across the U.S. They have over 10 patents in the industry, and use American-made steel and specialized pile systems to create strong foundations. The company offers transferable warranties, and boasts a comprehensive inspection process and great customer satisfaction across its 50+ nationwide locations.

Olshan

Olshan, which was founded in 1933, provides repair and waterproofing services for basements, foundations, and crawl spaces. They offer free and convenient in-person or video evaluations to their customers. Their patented Cable Lock™ ST Plus System combines the benefits of concrete and steel, and their services are backed by a lifetime transferable warranty.

Local Foundation Repair Companies Near Me


Foundation Repair Cost in Ottumwa


There are several subcategories of foundation repairs. Exactly which one you need will change depending on exactly what issue you're faced with.

Waterproofing goes a long way towards mitigating future problems with your foundation. The total cost of basement or foundation waterproofing in Ottumwa will vary greatly depending on what sort of waterproofing is needed. Some fixes may be simple, such as rerouting a gutter pipe, but in other cases more thorough interior or exterior waterproofing will be needed. Interior waterproofing can include measures like the use of sump pumps or installation of drains. Exterior waterproofing will likely be more expensive (sometimes over $10,000, depending on the extent of repairs required) and can involve altering your landscaping or coating the outside of your foundation. Not all foundation repair companies do waterproofing — check whether your company employs a waterproofing contractor who can assess, identify, and resolve any problems.

Other kinds of foundation repair include:

  • Crack Repair: Small cracks in your foundation can be filled with epoxy or polyurethane foam, while more sizable cracks may need to be filled with concrete. This type of repair usually costs in the few hundreds of dollars, depending on how large the crack is.
  • Piering / Underpinning / Leveling: If your foundation needs to be leveled, you might hear the job referred to as "underpinning" or "piering" by your foundation repair company. This process involves adding supports (generally concrete pillars, or piers) under a foundation to level and support it. This major repair could run you thousands of dollars for each pier, but it goes a long way toward preventing future issues.
  • Leak Repair: Leaks are often signs of a bigger issue, and your Ottumwa foundation repair expert could recommend waterproofing along with fixing the leak. Repair costs for this problem will vary greatly based on precisely what is needed.
  • Stabilization: If some of the walls in your house have started bowing, your foundation repair company can repair them by using steel or carbon fiber reinforcement strips. The strips are typically a few hundred dollars each, depending on the type of material needed.

Signs Your Foundation is in Need of Repair


While a professional inspection is highly recommended for diagnosing foundation problems, there are some symptoms you may notice on your own. Reach out to your local Ottumwa foundation repair experts should you notice any of the following:

  • Cracked driveways
  • Visibly damaged or crumbling foundation
  • Cracks in foundation walls or flooring
  • Water in your basement
  • Shifted, skewed, or tight doorframes or window frames
  • Uneven basement floors Walls that lean inwards at the top
Your house in Ottumwa may need foundation or basement waterproofing, in which case you may notice:
  • White powder, spots, or other signs of fungus
  • Damp or musty-smelling basement
  • Visible water in your basement
  • Changes in floor height or newly uneven floors
  • Bowing or buckling walls Presence of mold or mildew

Choosing a Ottumwa Foundation Repair Company


When you're looking for a foundation repair company in Ottumwa, there are certain things to keep in mind:

  • Licensing and Insurance: You can confirm whether your Ottumwa foundation repair company meets the general contractor licensing requirements for the state of Iowa. Also ask for proof of general liability insurance before you commit to a contract.
  • Inspection and Estimate Process: A free inspection and estimate should happen at the beginning of the foundation repair process with any company. Your local experts should be able to tell you what repairs are required and how much you might expect to pay.
  • Cost: It's recommended that you obtain quotes from multiple companies for comparison purposes. Be aware of extra fees like travel fees (if the company location is far away) or companies that offer you unusually high or extremely low prices.
  • Partnerships With Structural Engineers: Many foundation repair companies have a contract with a structural engineer. If yours does not, you should talk to one yourself. A structural engineer does their own foundation inspection (for a fee) and verify that your foundation repair company's evaluation of the problem was correct. They can also say whether they think that the proposed repairs will be effective.
  • Warranties: You should always work with a foundation repair company that has a warranty for its work. From company to company (and maybe even from location to location in Iowa) the time period and other specifics may vary.

Your foundation is foundational to your house's structural integrity, and it's important to choose only the best experts to work on it. Picking from our list of Ottumwa's best foundation repair experts ensures that you'll get one that is trustworthy and reliable.

Best Overall
  • Leading foundation service provider
  • Warranty-backed solutions
  • Free inspections and estimates
Superb Reputation
  • Free estimates
  • 31 patents & 19 innovation awards
  • Over 20,000 customer reviews
Regional Experts
  • High customer satisfaction
  • Service for residential & commercial
  • Award winning service

FAQ's for Foundation Repair in Ottumwa


What are some ways I can protect my foundation?

If the weather is very hot, the soil around your foundation may dry out and could benefit from watering. Watering your foundation keeps the surrounding soil moist, keeping it from loosening and your foundation from shifting. (In Ottumwa's warmer months, you may need to do this more often.) On the other hand, you also shouldn't let your foundation and the soil around it get too wet. Excess moisture can lead to just as many problems as too little moisture.

When building a home or home extension, a soil report can help determine if the soil in a particular area will support a structure without excessive shifting. It also costs a few hundred dollars to have a structural engineer inspect an existing home and tell you if there are any issues or potential future issues. Finally, if you notice any damage to your foundation, call one of Ottumwa's local foundation repair companies to get a free inspection and to get ahead of the issue.

Can I stay in my Ottumwa home during foundation repairs?

It's a good idea to confirm this with your Ottumwa foundation repair professional before you sign a contract, but usually the answer is yes. For most foundation repair projects, you can continue to live in your house while they are in progress.

How long can I delay a foundation repair project?

Your home's foundation is too important to ignore, and repairs shouldn't be procrastinated on. Although some issues could seem small, they could indicate a more systemic problem.

I'm looking to buy a home in Ottumwa. How can I make sure that I won't need to do extensive foundation repairs?

If you are looking at purchasing a house that you think or know may need foundation repairs, it is worth it to determine the extent of the problem and how much repairs might cost. A Ottumwa foundation repair expert can provide a free inspection and estimate, which you might be able to use in price negotiations for the property.

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