FAQs

Reasons to repair your basement and or crawlspace:

Peace of mind and resale value are reasons to get your foundation repair work done by the experts at American Foundation Repair. Save time and money now by repairing your foundation problem with American Foundation.

Yes, we are insured and will provide written proof (upon request), and we are also bonded. We are also licensed and or registered to work each and every city we perform work including the city of Chicago. 

  • We have been doing foundation repair since 1986, it's in our company name.
  • Family Owned and Operate
  • Experts in structural foundation repair since 1986.
  • We are also accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Proud To Be A BETTER BUSINESS. AFR BBB link. 
  • In some cases we can write up a written estimate for you during the evaluation, in other cases we need to come back to the office and prepare a quote. In our estimate you’ll get an exact price of the entire project and a detail description of the work to be performed, plus any additional fees, such as permit and engineering fees. 
  • The evaluation itself should take approximately (20- 50 minutes – extensive waterproofing and structural repair). Sometimes longer depending on the severity of your problem.
  • We can see you and evaluate your foundation repair problem the same week you call us, it’s part of our priority service to you. We won’t make you wait weeks or overbook you like our competitors. We pride ourselves in  providing great service for you with better quality and better pricing, American Foundation Repair.
  • Experience, and knowledge.
  • Transferable Warranties
  • Great Google Reviews by a satisfied customer
  • A+ Rating with BBB
  • Equipment Quality
  • Work Ethic (Excavate by hand around utilities.)
  • Certified Technicians
  • 100% American Made Steel Materials 
  • 100% Custom Fabricated on-site Materials
  • WE NEVER UP-SELL OR CROSS-SELL PRODUCTS, NO ANNOYING PUSHY SALESPERSON.
  • Yes, our pier underfooting bracket is at least 12" under the concrete footing (competitors only use 4"-8" max) WE USE THE LARGEST UNDERFOOTING PLATE (BRACKET) IN OUR INDUSTRY. GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPECTATIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS.
  • We use American Made US steel.
  • We use (6 - 8) - 3/4" anchor bolts to secure our bracket to the foundation wall. (our competitors use (2) - 5/8" bolts inferior system)
  • We drive our push piers to refusal depth (60,000 PSI) allowing us to reach depths of 40' - 90' AT NO EXTRA CHARGE (our competitors charge for depths beyond 30 feet)
  • Our push pier system is secured by welding (fusion of two metals) by welding the bracket to the pier. (our competitors use a nut and bolt tie which with time will loosen and cause failure)
  • We seal each crack with a crack plate and seal each crack at work area AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. (our competitors can't offer this system)
  • Each connection is held firmly (on-site weld) with a coupling sleeve stabilizer connector at each 7' connection
  • Upgrade to our dipped galvanized push piers.
  • Every push pier is on-site custom fabricated weld (including pier to bracket connection)
  • Residential Piers can have a resistance of 30 tons psi and commercial piers much higher.
  • Every pier project must have a signed structural engineer prints (village requirement)
  • Safety is paramount for every single project (OSHA guidelines) including but not limited to fenced work area.
  • Every single push piers MUST be load tested for proper installation.
  • JULIE services (to locate underground utilities) MUST be contacted before any excavation and using (OSHA guidelines)
  • Compact and rough grade backfills are required at all work area locations
  • All crews are experienced and trained for residential and commercial work orders.
  • Village codes requires we carry insurance and in some cases we purchase a bond
  • We can usually start a project within 3-4 weeks of received proposal. (In most cases)
  • Each project is different but on an average we can finish your project within 2-3 days.
  • We work ALL YEAR AROUND, nothing stops us, except maybe a heavy rainfall.
  • We start our morning early everyday at the shop, then travel to your project bright and early.
  • Engineering and permit cost are an additional fee of usually ($300 engineering drawings) and ACTUAL COST for permit fees (usually a couple hundred dollars; varies with each village)
  • We obtain ALL permits from your local village or city.
  • We are licensed by city in which we perform work at.
  • Look up our reference on Angie's List.
  • WE MEET AND EXCEED ALL ASTM AND ISO 9001 AND LOCAL VILLAGE CODE REQUIREMENTS.
  • Waterproofing Project – As soon as possible within 1-2 weeks of you signing a contract along with deposit, just great service.
  • Structural Repair – As soon possible within 2-6 weeks from a signed contract and deposit, depending on village turnaround timeframe for permit. (if applicable)
  • We won’t make you wait weeks or even months to do your project, your time is valued and respected.

Yes, if required by the village or county. An estimated permit fee & engineering drawings by a Licensed Structural Engineer from the state of Illinois will be included in the proposal. We will also provide this service for an additional charge to your order. Chicago homeowners and contractors are responsible for obtaining their own permits prior to work. (If applicable)

You can pay by check, cash or credit card. You will have the option to go online and pay for your invoice with a major credit card and/or view your remaining balance. (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express). (3.5% Processing Credit Card Fee Per Each Transaction)

  • Crack Repair(s): In a few hours & less than a day in (most cases)
  • Waterproofing – Drain Tile System: 1-2 days. Estimated Average (most cases)
  • Structural foundation repair: 1-5 days. Estimated Average (most cases)
  • Structural Repair – No. We use hydraulics to push our steel pipe piles, which is a very smooth process and no pounding is involved.
  • Waterproofing – Drain Tile – The perimeter work area must be cleared at least 4′ from foundation.
  • Waterproofing – Cracks – At crack location(s) clear of boxes etc.
  • Plumbing, electrical etc. on a case to case basis.

Yes we can. As long as we can crawl we can repair the work in a tight and narrow crawl space (minimum 2' clearance from floor to joist). We can replace or repair rotting beams, post, and concrete piers. Waterproof cracks (epoxy injection), vapor barriers or just add a drain tile system with a new pit for moisture control. We can do it, when our competitors say no.

  • Yes, and we offer the best warranties in the foundation repair industry. 
  • All of our warranties are fully transferable to new home owners, adding value to your project and home.
  • All of our warranties are free of charge, for the entire length of the warranty. 

Yes we can. We can still repair your problem from the inside or outside with a wide variety of solutions to choose from. We are a full-service foundation repair company.

  • We are a full-service foundation repair company specializing in structural repair. Waterproofing is a MUST when dealing with structural repair issues. Unlike our competitors they are waterproofing companies and don’t know much about structural foundation repair work. We have the expert knowledge they lack.
  • Most of our competitors are waterproofing companies, just barely starting to do foundation repair work (piering) look at their website, they have waterproofing first on there list. In addition to this they are experimenting with different piering systems, don't let them experiment on your home.
  • We know structural repair work better than anyone, we have the expertise, knowledge and equipment. Our team is dedicated to solving your problem with a friendly smile and the best service.
  • Technicians with over 20 years of experience with us in the foundation repair business.
  • No.
  • We never use franchise dealer helical piers or resistance piers
  • All of our work is custom-tailored to each foundation repair project. No one can in Chicago can make this claim except for us. Village engineers and structural engineers look to us first for foundation repair.
  • Specialized trained teams in the foundation repair business since 1986
  • Our team has been together for over 30 years and most of our team has at least 20 years with our company.
  • Unlike our competitors with high turnover with their sales team and work employees.
  • We are a family owned and operated company since 1986.
  • No hidden commissions fees
  • No hidden franchise fees
  • Up front pricing, no gimmicks, no tricks, no up-sales. Just honest foundation repair cost.
  • 2 Hour window times - Never wait all day.
  • There is no typical price for foundation repair since the spectrum of work could be a simple crack repair or a big foundation repair project.
  • We are committed to giving you a fair and honest price for foundation repair.
  • A foundation repair project can range from as little as $200.00 to upwards of $40,000.00 or more. (Residential foundation repair project)
  • Average cost is between $6.000.00 - $18,000.00 dollars. (Residential foundation repair project)
  • Homeowners book online now for a free in-home no-obligation estimate.

Yes, sometimes depending on the work being performed: In most cases these items are not in our way of for us to perform the work.

  • A/C Unit
  • Landscaping
  • Laundry Sink
  • Plumbing 
  • Electrical

If we need to remove:

  • Brick Pavers
  • Concrete
  • Asphat
  • Siding
  • Wooden Decks
  • Stoops
  • Landscaping
  • Fence

We will remove them in most cases at no-additional cost, but we will not repair or replace them unless stated on the contract. These items are to be repaired and or replaced by others at the owners own cost. In order to adhere to the highest quality standards possible American Foundation Repair recommends you to hire professionals in their respective industry. 

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