Foundation Repair Contract & Warranty Review

Foundation Repair Contract & Warranty Review

Foundation Repair Contract & Warranty Review
Foundation Repair Contract & Warranty Review

Hiring a foundation repair company is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner can make. Contracts and warranties
often include fine print, exclusions, and loopholes that shift risk to you. The
Foundation Repair Network (FRN) provides an independent Contract & Warranty Review so you can sign
with confidence—and avoid costly disputes later.

Need local context before you sign? See:
Foundation Repair Florida (Hub) ·
Tampa ·
Miami ·
Orlando ·
Jacksonville ·
Naples ·
Cape Coral ·
Fort Lauderdale ·
Tallahassee

How Our Review Works (Fast & Straightforward)

  1. Send your documents (proposal, contract, warranty, and any addenda).
  2. We perform a line-by-line analysis and return a plain-English report in ≤ 48 hours.
  3. You get a risk score (0–100), a red-flag checklist, and a negotiation game plan.

Note: We’re a neutral third party. We don’t sell repairs—we protect your interests.

10 Red Flags We Catch Most Often

10 Red Flags We Catch Most Often
10 Red Flags We Catch Most Often

  1. Vague scope (no drawings, few quantities, unclear pier counts/depths) → change-order risk.
  2. Unlimited change orders or “time & materials” clauses without caps or homeowner sign-off.
  3. Soil/discovery disclaimers that make you pay for predictable subsurface conditions.
  4. “Best efforts / as needed” language instead of measurable performance criteria.
  5. Payment front-loading (e.g., >50% before mobilization) with weak default remedies.
  6. Binding arbitration only (venue chosen by contractor) + fee-shifting against homeowner.
  7. Warranty exclusions for the #1 local risks (e.g., sinkhole/karst, shrink-swell clays, high water table).
  8. Non-transferable warranties or transfer fees that kill resale value.
  9. Maintenance traps (drainage/landscaping tasks that void coverage but are hard to meet).
  10. No punch list / completion test (no way to verify levelness, crack stabilization, or water entry stop).

Numerical Triggers We Like to See in Your Contract

  • Scope specificity: pier count (e.g., “12 helical piers”), min torque/depth (e.g., “≥ 2,500 ft-lb and/or ≥ 20 ft”), bracket model, and locations.
  • Performance targets: lift tolerance (e.g., “floor slope ≤ 1 in 20 ft post-lift when feasible”), monitored crack-width trend (e.g., “< 1/8 in and not widening over 90 days”).
  • Change-order controls: require written homeowner approval for any change ≥ $250 or that affects warranty.
  • Payment structure: deposit ≤ 20%; progress draws tied to verifiable milestones; retainage (e.g., 10%) until punch list is complete.
  • Warranty clarity: term stated (e.g., “Lifetime, transferable”), covered elements (piers/brackets/slab lifts), excluded perils narrowly defined, response time (e.g., “≤ 14 days to inspect claims”).
  • Dispute path: define a step-down process (contractor review → FRN third-party review → mediation → arbitration/litigation as last resort).

“Lifetime Warranty” — What It Should Mean (No Fine Print)

A strong warranty is specific, transferable, and enforceable. Watch for these loopholes:

  • “Lifetime” = company life (if they dissolve, you’re unprotected). Ask about escrow/insurance-backing.
  • Non-transferability (kills resale leverage). Insist on free transfer or low, flat fee.
  • Overbroad exclusions (e.g., “all soil movement” in Florida). Exclusions should be narrow and relevant.
  • Maintenance traps (e.g., sprinkler changes void coverage). Ensure tasks are reasonable and documented.
  • Slow response time to claims. Look for a clear SLA (e.g., ≤14 days to inspect, written plan in ≤30 days).

Learn more about consumer warranties:
FTC — Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (Overview).

Litigation-Avoidance Playbook (Save Yourself the Headache)

  1. Verify the license before signing:
    Florida DBPR License Lookup.
  2. Require drawings or marked photos showing pier locations, depths/torque thresholds, and lift points.
  3. Document conditions numerically (before/after):
    crack width (e.g., ≥ 1/8 in), floor slope (e.g., > 1 in 20 ft), moisture readings by wall.
  4. Tie payments to milestones and hold 10% retainage until punch list is complete.
  5. Set a step-down dispute path: contractor → FRN review → mediation → arbitration/litigation last.
  6. Confirm warranty transferability in writing. If you sell, provide buyer with the executed transfer form at closing.
  7. Keep a simple log (dates, rain totals, photos). Correlate issues with weather using
    NOAA rainfall normals.
  8. Park communications in writing (email). Summarize calls in a follow-up email the same day.
  9. Escalate smart: If the contractor isn’t responsive, file a complaint with
    DBPR (Complaints) and consider
    Florida Attorney General — Consumer Protection
    or BBB Complaints.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. For legal questions, consult a qualified attorney in your state.

Connect With Trusted Florida Pros

Get proposals you can compare apples-to-apples. FRN recommends:

Then use FRN’s review to tighten scope, warranty, and payment terms before you sign.

Internal Resources (Learn Before You Sign)

Start Your Review

Email your contract and warranty today. FRN will return a plain-English review within 48 hours with:

  • A 0–100 risk score and red-flag summary
  • Suggested edits/clauses to request (scope, change orders, payment, warranty)
  • A negotiation checklist you can send back to the contractor