Foundation Repair Quote Checklist
What it should state. What's commonly not stated. What to ask before you sign.
You're about to sign a foundation repair quote. This page lists what a complete one states, the lines that are commonly not stated, and the questions worth asking before your name goes on it.
This is a reading checklist, not advice. Spend Defense doesn't tell you whether to sign — we make sure you've actually seen what's on the page, and what isn't.
What a complete foundation repair quote states
Pier type — the repair method named (pressed concrete, steel push piers, helical, or another), not just "piers."
Pier count and locations — how many, and where — drawn on a diagram, not just a total.
Interior vs. exterior work — which piers are inside the house and what has to be opened up to reach them.
Engineering — whether an engineer's report is included, required, or not part of this quote.
Total price and payment schedule — the full amount, the deposit, and what triggers the balance.
Permit — whether a permit is needed and who pulls it.
Restoration — replacement of flooring, landscaping, or concrete disturbed by the work: included or excluded.
Warranty terms — the length, what it covers, and the cost and steps to transfer it if you sell.
What's commonly not stated
- Plumbing leak test — a test before and after lifting is a common gap; lifting a slab can stress pipes beneath it.
- What "lifetime" means — whose lifetime, what is covered, and whether adjustments are free are often vague.
- Transfer fee — a transferable warranty may carry a fee or inspection requirement the quote does not mention.
- Cosmetic damage after lifting — drywall cracks or sticking doors after the work may be excluded without saying so.
None of these gaps decide anything by themselves. They're the lines to ask about before you sign, not after.
Questions to ask before you sign
- “What type of pier is this, and how many — can I see where on a diagram?”
- “Which piers are interior, and what floors or landscaping will be disturbed?”
- “Is an engineering report included or needed?”
- “Will there be a plumbing leak test before and after?”
- “What does the warranty cover, and what does it cost to transfer if I sell?”
Want a second set of eyes on the actual document?
Send us the paperwork before you sign. A Quick Check reads your document and shows you what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask — for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Longer documents: Document Review $19, Premium Review $49.
Check my document →We don't decide for you. We make sure nothing on the page — or missing from it — surprises you later.
FAQ
How much does foundation repair usually cost?
We don't price other people's work — cost depends on the repair method, the number of piers, soil conditions, and what has to be opened up inside. What you can check is whether your quote states the pier type, count, and locations. If it doesn't, that's a question to ask before signing.
What if something on this checklist is missing from my foundation repair quote?
Ask for it in writing before you sign. A missing leak test or warranty condition isn't a verdict on the contractor; it's an unknown in a contract you're about to be bound by. Getting it stated on the page costs nothing and settles it before the house is lifted.
Can Spend Defense read my actual foundation repair quote?
Yes. Short quotes fit the Quick Check ($4.99, up to 10 pages). Quotes bundled with an engineering report or warranty booklet often run longer and go through the Document Review ($19, up to 25 pages). You'll get back what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask.
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Spend Defense — we read the paperwork before you sign. We don't decide for you.