Methodology
Last updated November 6, 2026
Every number on this site is either sourced or labelled as an estimate. This page explains the difference, and how a claim gets from a document to a published page.
1. Primary sources first
For repair methods we work from published engineering guidance on underpinning and foundation performance, manufacturer specification sheets for pier and anchor systems, and state or local building-code sections on permits and inspections. For insurance we quote the policy form's exclusion wording rather than a summary. For prices we use published US unit-price ranges and contractor price books.
2. Cost models show their inputs
Repair cost is modelled from visible inputs: unit price per pier or per square foot, the count or area, engineering, permit, access and restoration. We do not present a single "average cost" as if it were a quote; the range and what it includes are stated on the page.
3. Method selection
A method is described by the failure it addresses: piers for settled footings, lifting for settled slabs, restraint for bowing walls, drainage for water. We do not rank methods as "best" in the abstract, because the right method is a function of the diagnosis.
4. What we have not inspected
We do not inspect houses and we do not produce engineering reports. When a claim comes from a published source or a contractor report, we say which. We do not imply first-hand inspection we did not perform.
5. Sources we work from
| Source type | What it decides | How it is cited |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering guidance | Failure modes and repair suitability | Method named with the failure it addresses |
| Building code excerpts | Permit and inspection requirements | Code section and jurisdiction named |
| Insurer policy forms | Covered vs excluded causes | Exclusion wording quoted |
| Published unit pricing | Per-pier, per-square-foot and job totals | Price band with the month checked |
| Manufacturer specifications | Pier capacity, anchor ratings, warranty terms | Product class and capacity stated |
When two sources disagree, the page says which one it followed and why. A figure that cannot be traced to a document is labelled an estimate, and an estimate is never presented as the price of a specific job.
6. Listings and directory data
The service-area directory is compiled from public business records: the firm's own website, its published address and phone number, and the state or local licence register named on the city page. A record is marked verified only when the name, address, phone and licence have been checked against those sources and the date of the check recorded; everything else is labelled. Where a source does not publish a ZIP code or a website, the field is left blank rather than guessed.
7. Corrections
If a code edition or a policy form changes, we update the article and its "last updated" date. Emailcontact@foundationrepairlab.comwith the page and the correction.