Serving the Greater Phoenix Area * Call 602-341-5009
Uncover the Truth
About Your Foundation
Is your home sinking or settling? Our expert inspectors will thoroughly examine your foundation to identify the root cause of the problem. With a clear understanding of the issue, you can make informed decisions about the best course of action.
SERVICES & PRICING
Initial Inspection:
Zone A: $350
Zone B: $400
We will begin by evaluating the signs of distress you’ve noticed in your home, including cracks in walls, ceilings, floor tiles and your foundation. We will also look for signs you may have missed and make note of what type of foundation your home is built on. It may be a stem and footing foundation with a floating concrete slab, or it may be a monolithic conventionally reinforced (rebar) concrete foundation and slab, or it might be a uniform thickness post-tensioned concrete slab-on-grade foundation. Each type of foundation will react uniquely to distress and knowing what type of foundation you have will help us properly diagnose your concerns.
If we determine that there are enough signs of distress to indicate you have foundation movement issues, the next step is to recommend that we perform a “floor elevation survey” (see below for rates). This entails the use of a water level to create a topographical map of your floor slab/foundation which will tell us where there may be movement in your foundation and how much. It will allow us to associate the signs of distress we noted before to actual measurements of your floor slab/foundation.
Once we have this data, we will be able to give you options for moving forward. Your issues may be minor and may only require a cosmetic repair. It may be an issue primarily driven by poor drainage that has allowed excess moisture to accumulate at your foundation and cause movement. If the movement is not severe, in most cases addressing the drainage issue will solve the problem. If your home has experienced severe foundation movement there are options that include foundation stabilization.
We can prepare engineered plans for these types of repairs that a local foundation repair company can follow to execute the repair that is right for you and your home. You won’t have to deal with any high-pressure salespeople. You can simply hire a licensed foundation repair company and provide them with the engineered plans. This process would work like building a home or adding a spare room onto your current home. You get engineered plans and hire a contractor to follow those plans. We also offer inspection of the construction process and will provide a letter of completion when the repairs have been completed.
Floor Elevation Survey
Zone A
$975.00 (up to 2500 sqft ground level)
$1075.00 (up to 3500 sqft ground level)
(Ask for quote if main/ground level is over 3500 sqft)
Zone B
$1075.00 (up to 2500 sqft ground level)
$1175.00 (up to 3500 sqft ground level)
(Ask for quote if main/ground level is over 3500 sqft)
Drainage Assessment
and Modification Plan
Protect Your Home from Water Damage
Is water pooling around your foundation? This could be a sign of serious problems.
Our drainage experts will assess your property’s drainage system and develop
a customized plan to redirect water away from your home,
preventing costly foundation damage.
Assessment and Plan:
Zone A: $675 (up to 2500 sq ft ground level)
Zone A: $775 (up to 3500 sq ft ground level)
Zone B: $775 (up to 2500 sq ft ground level)
Zone B: $875 (up to 3500 sq ft ground level)
(For properties larger than 3500 sqft, please request a quote.
Your lot/yard is intended to be sloped or graded so that water flows away from the foundation and to a designated point of outfall. In most cases that is the street, but sometimes lots may be designed to flow to the rear to a retention basin for example, or you may be in an area that requires on-lot retention.
Sometimes your lot/yard is significantly higher than the street and getting water from your backyard to the street isn’t very difficult. In some cases though, your lot was built at a height that leaves very little room to channel runoff water from rain or irrigation all the way from your backyard to the street. Any variation or obstruction in the flowline can cause water to pond near your foundation. Narrow side yards only make this more difficult. Often, homeowners unknowingly put in walkways, curbing, and other landscape features that block the flow of water and cause excess moisture to accumulate at the foundation edge.
Some soils are not very reactive to excess moisture. Saturation of these soils will not lead to movement, either heaving or consolidating. Other soils are very reactive to excess moisture, and exposure to water over time will lead to movement. This movement in the soil under your foundation can cause the foundation to move as well
If drainage of water has been observed to be a contributing factor in your foundation issues, one of your options is to have us perform a “Drainage Assessment and Modification Plan” in which we use a laser level to determine the high and low points of your lot and identify all the areas that are impeding the proper flow of surface water away from your foundation and off your lot. Sometimes it’s as easy as regrading the soil to create a swale and sloping that swale so water flows unimpeded to the designated point of outfall. Adding rain gutters and downspouts that channel water away from the foundation and to the designated point of outfall can be a great addition. If hardscape features like walkways and curbing are blocking the flow of water, they may need to be removed or modified. Every case is different, and we will provide you with engineered options so you can effectively choose how you want to move forward.
Topical Foundations Repair
Recommendations
Repair and Restore Your Foundation
Not all foundation issues require invasive repairs. Our specialists will evaluate if topical repairs
are suitable for your home. We’ll provide expert recommendations and a detailed plan
restore your foundation’s integrity
Pricing:
Bid based on scope (Please request a quote)
Your foundation issues may not be related to movement at all. Poor construction methods,
age-related wear, exposure to chemicals or harmful minerals in the soil can all lead
to foundation damage.
This type of distress can be minor and can be addressed with a simple repair,
but sometimes there are more significant issues that can lead
to serious long-term foundation problems, and
these require a more in-depth solution.
We can provide repair details and give specific recommendations
for the right materials and methods to be used for your
specific foundation issue.
Not all foundations are the same and a good repair needs to consider
the location of reinforcing steel (rebar), hold downs, and anchors
for your walls and possibly post-tension anchors and tendons.
Foundation Stabilization (Piers)
Solid Foundations for a Stronger Home
Is your foundation severely compromised? Our foundation stabilization solutions provide
a long-lasting and effective way to lift and support your sinking home.
We’ll work closely with you to develop a tailored plan to restore
your home’s structural integrity.
Pricing:
Bid based on scope (Please request a quote)
If your foundation movement is severe enough, it may require stabilization. There are multiple methods of stabilization including the installation of high-strength steel piers. Soil is removed along the foundation to expose the concrete.
Permit Document Processing
Hassle-Free Permit Acquisition
Navigating the permit process can be overwhelming. Let us handle the paperwork. Our experts
will guide you through the permit application process, ensuring compliance with
all regulations and saving you time and stress.
Pricing:
Bid based on scope (Please request a quote)
Most municipal building departments will require a submittal for review and permitting
for the actual construction work to be performed. We can prepare this document
for the contractor of your choice. The contractor can then present them
to the building department to obtain a building permit.
Third Party Special Inspection
Peace of Mind with Independent Inspection
Protect your investment with a third-party inspection. Our experts will verify that the work performed by your contractor for Drainage Modifications, Topical Foundation Repairs,
and Foundation Stabilization meet the highest standards. We’ll ensure the project
is completed according to specifications, giving you confidence in the final result.
Our representatives will observe the work of your contractor so you can be assured the work
is being done in accordance with the project specifications. Variances from the specifications
will be brought to the attention of the contractor and the project owner. There are times
that the project conditions require modifications to the specifications and
we will be there to facilitate this process with you.
Inspection Fees
Drainage Modifications:
$550 (Zone A), $650/hr (Zone B)
3 TRIPS:
- 1st – meet with your contractor to review the modification plan
- 2nd – observe modification before landscape rock is added or put back
- 3rd – final inspection for compliance to plans (Letter of Compliance with engineer stamp upon completion)
Topical Foundation Repairs:
$550 (Zone A), $650/hr (Zone B)
3 TRIPS:
- 1st – meet with your contractor to review the repair plan
- 2nd – observe work during repair, confirm materials and methods
- 3rd – final inspection for compliance to plans (Letter of Compliance with engineer stamp upon completion)
Foundation Stabilization:
$150/hr (Zone A), $175/hr (Zone B)
Compliance Documents:
Sealed by a registered licensed engineer upon completion.
Service Area:
Currently limited to Zones A and B
Realtors and Homebuyer/Sellers
There are times during the sale of a home when a home inspector might discover signs of potential foundation issues and recommend that the issues be evaluated by a licensed engineer.
Xcel can help. A site visit and verbal opinion of the noted distresses can be provided
at the same rate as the Initial Forensic Foundation Inspection service (See pricing above).
If a written opinion with an engineer stamp is needed,
we can also provide that service for an additional fee.
Site visit and verbal opinion of noted foundation distress
Zone A – $350.00
Zone B – $400.00
Site visit and written opinion with engineer stamp
Zone A – $650.00
Zone B – $700.00
Engineer Peer Referral
Engineering colleagues may receive calls to evaluate foundation concerns and there may be time and/or manpower constraints or a lack of accessibility to the appropriate equipment and tools
to perform such evaluations (i.e. water levels, floor mapping software, etc.). Xcel will gladly
accept these referrals. We can also provide the data collection services (floor elevation
survey and photos, etc.) as a standalone service for you and provide the
documentation for your review and recommendations for your client.
(See pricing above)
