Most homeowners only hire for foundation work once, which makes it hard to know what a good answer sounds like. The questions below are organized by stage, from the first phone call to the day the work is finished. A careful specialist will expect most of them. Write the answers down, and ask for anything important to be put in the written quote.
Before the evaluation
These questions set expectations for the visit, so you know whether you are getting a measured assessment or a quick look and a number.
- What will the evaluation include? Listen for elevation readings across the whole floor, a look at cracks inside and out, a walk around the outside for drainage, and — on a raised house — a look in the crawlspace.
- Is there a charge for the evaluation? Ask before the visit, not after.
- How long should I set aside, and do you need access to the attic, crawlspace, or every room? Knowing this ahead saves a second visit.
- Will I get the findings in writing? A written summary of what was measured is useful whether or not you hire anyone.
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During the evaluation
This is where the scope is decided, so the questions here matter more than any others. Walk the house with the specialist if you can.
- Is my house slab-on-grade, pier-and-beam, or a mix? The answer decides the repair path. If you are not sure yourself, the pier-and-beam vs. slab guide explains how to tell.
- What did the elevation readings show, and where is the house lowest? Ask to see the readings, ideally as a sketch of the floor plan with numbers on it.
- Is this settlement, heave, or something else? On a slab, lifting a section that has heaved makes things worse, so this distinction should be stated, not assumed.
- What do you think caused it? Water, failed supports, rotted framing, a plumbing leak, an addition built on a different foundation — the cause should be named.
- Is the movement ongoing, or did it happen once and stop? That changes whether structural work is needed now or whether monitoring is reasonable.
A quick-reference table
Here are the questions that most often separate a thorough evaluation from a rushed one, with what a solid answer and a warning sign tend to sound like.
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like | A red flag sounds like |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is causing the movement? | The cause decides whether the fix is structural, drainage, or both. | A named cause tied to the readings and to what was seen outside. | “Your foundation is failing” with no cause given. |
| Can I see the elevation readings? | Readings turn an opinion into something you can check later. | A sketch or list of readings across the floor, shared with you. | No readings taken, or readings you are not allowed to keep. |
| How many piers, where, and why? | Pier count and placement drive the structural line of the quote. | An exact count and locations, explained against the low areas. | “As many as it needs” or a wide range with no plan. |
| Is drainage part of this plan? | Structure repaired without fixing water often moves again. | Drainage on its own line, or a clear reason it is not needed. | Water never mentioned at all. |
| What is the leveling target? | “Level” means different things to different people. | A stated target, how it will be measured, and before-and-after readings. | A promise of perfectly flat floors. |
| How long do I have to decide? | Foundation work is a big decision and deserves time. | “Take the time you need — the quote holds for a stated period.” | Pressure to sign today for a special price. |
About the quote
A quote you can compare against another should not be a single number. Ask for the work to be broken into these four separate lines, each priced on its own:
- 1Evaluation findingsWhat was measured and found — elevation readings, crack locations, construction type, likely cause.
- 2Drainage / moisture correctionGutters, grading, downspouts, or crawlspace moisture work that addresses why the soil is moving.
- 3Structural repairPiers, shims, or sill and beam replacement — with counts, locations, and depths stated.
- 4Finish / cosmeticDrywall, brick, trim, and door adjustments after the house moves — priced on its own line.
Then ask, line by line:
- Evaluation findings: Does the quote restate what was measured and the likely cause, so the rest of the scope follows from it?
- Drainage / moisture: What exactly is included — gutters, downspout extensions, grading, drains, crawlspace work — and where will the water go?
- Structural: What is the count, location, and type of every pier, shim, or piece of replaced framing?
- Finish / cosmetic: Which drywall, brick, trim, flooring, and door adjustments are included, and which are left to you?
If two quotes are far apart, these lines usually explain why. One bid may include drainage and finish work while another leaves them out. The foundation repair cost guide shows published ranges by job type — for example, piering jobs are published at roughly $4,000 to $15,000 and drainage correction at roughly $1,500 to $6,000, which helps you see whether a line is in the expected neighborhood. Those are published ranges, not quotes.
About piers and the structural plan
- What type of pier are you using, and why that type for this house?
- How do you know each pier has reached stable soil? Ask what depth, resistance, or torque counts as “done.”
- What happens if a pier has to go deeper than planned? Ask whether that changes the price, and how.
- For a raised house: how many piers are being reset or added, where do shims go, and how many feet of sill or beam are being replaced?
- If hidden rot or damage turns up once work starts, how will it be priced?
- Is a structural engineer involved, and do I get a letter or report?
The foundation piering page explains the common pier types and what a written pier plan should state.
About drainage and the cause
- If you fix the structure but nothing changes about the water, what happens next year?
- Should drainage happen before, after, or alongside the structural work?
- For a raised house, what is the plan for crawlspace moisture?
About the contract, schedule, and permits
- What does the contract say about the start date, the payment schedule, and what happens if the job changes?
- How long will the work take, and what could make it longer? The foundation repair timeline guide covers each stage.
- Who handles any permit, and is its fee in the price?
- Will utilities need to be shut off, and will we need to move out of any part of the house?
- Who will be on site, and who do I call with a question during the job?
Before work starts, check with the parish or city permit office, and ask the specialist who handles any permit. The service areas page lists the parish offices.
About licensing and insurance
- Are you licensed and insured, and can I see current proof?
- Can I verify the license myself? Ask where and how.
- Does your insurance cover damage to my house during the work?
About any warranty
Warranties on foundation work vary, so ask directly and get the answers in writing:
- What exactly does the warranty cover — the piers, the lift, the finish work?
- How long does it last, and does it transfer if you sell the house?
- What would void it — for example, drainage changes or other work on the house?
- Is it written into the contract, and who honors it?
After the work
- Will you re-measure the floor when you finish, and will I get the before and after readings?
- What should I expect in the weeks after a lift? Doors may need adjusting, and some finish cracks can appear as the house settles into its new position.
- When should finish and cosmetic work happen? Ask how long to wait before patching drywall or setting tile.
How to use the answers
Look for a pattern: a specialist who measures before talking price, names a cause, puts the plan in writing line by line, and gives you time to decide.
If you are not sure what you are seeing yet, the signs of foundation problems guide is a good place to start. When you are ready, call (225) 535-8057 or send a request, and your request goes to one licensed local foundation specialist for an in-person evaluation.
Questions about hiring
What is the most important question to ask a foundation contractor?
Ask what is causing the movement and how the quote addresses that cause. A specialist who can name a likely cause in plain words, show the elevation readings behind it, and point to the line on the quote that deals with it has done a real evaluation. A vague answer usually means the scope is a guess.
Should I get more than one foundation repair quote?
Getting a second evaluation before you sign is reasonable for work this size. Compare the two quotes line by line — evaluation findings, drainage, structural repair, and finish work — rather than by the total, because the lines show where the two plans actually differ.
What should I ask about a foundation repair warranty?
Ask what exactly the warranty covers, for how long, whether it transfers to a future owner, what voids it, and whether it is written into the contract. Get the answers in writing before you sign; a warranty described only out loud is hard to rely on later.