FAQ

What are signs of foundation settlement?

Some signs of settlement are cracking on walls or around doors and windows, uneven floors, spacing between base boards and floor, or door and window alignment issues.

How long Is the foundation inspection?
The on-site foundation inspection usually takes around an hour and a half.

Are foundation assessments free?
Yes, Foundation Solutions professional assessment is free of charge and without obligation for homeowners. We want you to be fully informed about your home foundation and concrete slab repair solution. For real estate transactions a fee may apply.

Is the free foundation inspection really free?
Yes, our foundation inspections are 100% free for homeowners. Schedule your free inspection today, no obligation or hassle! For real estate transactions a fee may apply.

How can I tell if my home Is settling?
You can spot warning signs of foundation problems with a careful eye. While you may be tempted to write it off as just the house settling, a sinking, moving, or heaving foundation is a serious warning sign. Schedule a free inspection and one of our highly trained foundation specialists will evaluate your home and determine whether you have a real foundation issue or just minor settling.

When is the best time of year to do foundation work?
The best time of year to do foundation repair work is the exact time your home starts showing signs of foundation failure. There is no “perfect” time of year to fix your home's foundation. If you suspect your home is settling, there is no better time to get a foundation repair specialist on the job than right now!

Do you mark my home where you install the foundation piles?
Foundation Solutions does not mark your home; the location of each pile is documented on the installation records, including depth and pressure on each pile.

How do you determine what needs to be done?
Foundation Solutions professional project managers evaluate your home's exterior and interior, as needed, by taking elevation readings and a visual observation. The readings are matched with the home's structural indications to assess if a foundation and/or concrete slab repair is needed. This process is called a foundation observation. The assessment is then analyzed so we can provide a quote.

Do I need to be present for the assessment?
Ideally, yes. In order for our project managers to completely assess your foundation or slab failure they need to examine your home's interior, exterior, and crawl space but if you have someone onsite to let them in the home they can access the property and connect with you later.

How long does the initial assessment last?
One hour on average but varies with each situation. Our professional project manager will spend the appropriate amount of time to evaluate and communicate your home's foundation solution.

What should I expect at the foundation observation appointment?
The project manager will go over the concerns or symptoms you are seeing, complete a floor elevation survey, do a footprint measurement of the exterior walls outside and may need access to the crawl space, if applicable. Once they have all the information gathered, they will create a proposal or let you know their expert opinion within the week.

Are the project managers engineers?
Our project managers are not engineers but are highly experienced and trained in observing foundation distress and very knowledgeable about the techniques available to repair foundations. A California licensed engineer designs each repair before work is done at your home.

Will the project manager provide a written estimate?
Yes, the homeowner will receive a written estimate that must be authorized before work can begin.

How much does foundation repair cost?
A lot of variables affect the price. To make our services more affordable, we have teamed up with EnerBank to help with fast and easy financing. Call today to talk with a team member about all of our custom financing options available.

What type of repair system does Foundation Solutions use?
We offer a number of Ram Jack systems unique to the repair situation. Our project managers are trained to identify and recommend the ideal solutions for your specific problem. Most of the solutions are based on Ram Jack patented systems.

Do you clean the property after the job is completed?
Definitely. Our goal is to leave the property in the same or better condition than it was prior to the repair.

What about my plants and landscaping?
Should it be necessary to move your plants, we will do our very best to save them. Usually we will relocate them to another part of the yard designated by the homeowner. Once the foundation work is completed we will place the plant back in its original position. Due to the nature of plant transportation we cannot guarantee the survival of these plants.

How long has Foundation Solutions been in business?

Foundation Solutions staff has been in the industry since 2000 and has been actively serving the community as Foundation Solutions in the Bay Area, Central Coast, and Central Valley since 2010.


What is Foundation Solutions California Contractors License?
Our California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) number is 943339.


Do you have insurance?
Yes, all certificates of insurance are available to our clients upon request.


How are your employees trained?
Foundation Solutions employee training includes both online classroom and field training, at hire and is ongoing throughout employment. All new employees must complete a field training before installing any Ram Jack piles. In addition to continuing education in the field, our employees have the availability to attend Ram Jack University, a three-day intensive training experience, each year.


Do your employees have workers comp insurance?
Yes, we are required by law to have workers compensation and general liability insurance.


What are your office hours?
Our office is staffed remotely Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm to answer questions or to schedule a foundation assessment.


How do you determine what needs to be done?
Foundation Solutions professional project managers evaluate your home's exterior and interior, as needed, by taking elevation readings and a visual observation. The readings are matched with the home's structural indications to assess if a foundation and/or concrete slab repair is needed. This process is called a foundation observation. The assessment is then analyzed so we can provide a quote.


Are Foundation Solutions foundation assessments free for homeowners?
Yes, Foundation Solutions professional assessment is free of charge and without obligation for homeowners. We want you to be fully informed about your home foundation and concrete slab repair solution. For real estate transactions a fee may apply.


Do I need to be present for the assessment?
Ideally, yes. In order for our project managers to completely assess your foundation or slab failure they need to examine your home's interior, exterior, and crawl space but if you have someone onsite to let them in the home they can access the property and connect with you later.


How long does the initial assessment last?
One hour on average but varies with each situation. Our professional project manager will spend the appropriate amount of time to evaluate and communicate your home's foundation solution.


What should I expect at the foundation observation appointment?
The project manager will go over the concerns or symptoms you are seeing, complete a floor elevation survey, do a footprint measurement of the exterior walls outside and may need access to the crawl space, if applicable. Once they have all the information gathered, they will create a proposal or let you know their expert opinion within the week.


Are the project managers engineers?
Our Project Managers are not engineers but are highly experienced and trained in observing foundation distress and very knowledgeable about the techniques available to repair foundations. A California licensed engineer designs each repair before work is done at your home.


Will the project manager provide a written estimate?
Yes, the homeowner will receive a written estimate that must be authorized before work can begin.


What type of repair system does Foundation Solutions use?
We offer several Ram Jack systems unique to the repair situation. Our project managers are trained to identify and recommend the ideal solutions for your specific problem. Most of the solutions are based on Ram Jack patented systems.


What is the warranty on your work?
We offer a 25 year limited warranty on our Ram Jack Piers and a 1 year limited warranty on workmanship and materials for the other services we provide.

How long have you been manufacturing your piles?
Ram Jack has been manufacturing our piles since 1980. With the introduction of our fourth generation of steel piles in 1989, we have experienced practically no pile failures.

How many types of foundation piles do you provide?
With over 150 standard products and the facility to design and manufacture custom products, Ram Jack can repair any foundation. Ram Jack’s products and designs are trusted by engineers for new construction and repair work.

Does Ram Jack hold any patents for their pile design?
Ram Jack has applied or held over 20 patents through the years and currently own 12 patents for our foundation products. We continually invest in research and development to continue to lead the foundation repair industry in practical and efficient foundation repair methods.

Have your foundation piles been load-tested?
Ram Jack and its network of dealers and franchises do regular pile load tests for engineering firms in the United States, Canada, and Central America. Ram Jack was the first helical pile manufacturer to receive ICC-ES (International Code Council – Evaluation Services) recognition.

Do your piles have coating?
Ram Jack’s standard corrosion protection on all of its products consists of a thermoplastic polymer powder coating that is environmentally friendly.

What is the failure rate of your pile?
Ram Jack has installed over 750,000 piles with less than 1% requiring adjustment.

How long has Ram Jack been in business?
Ram Jack has been providing foundation solutions for residential and commercial applications for over 40 years.

Why should I use patented Ram Jack systems?
The patented systems offered by Ram Jack are one of only a few systems that have exceeded ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. (ICC-ES) standards. ICC-ES is a consolidation of the four building production evaluation services - National Evaluation Service, ICBO Evaluation Service, BOCA Evaluation Services, and SBCCI Public Safety Testing and Evaluation Services, Inc.

Do you offer a guarantee?
We offer a 25 year limited warranty on our Ram Jack Piers and a 1 year limited warranty on workmanship and materials for the other services we provide.