Top Foundation Contractors in Richmond, VA

A house’s foundation is always located under the house itself. A foundation is the load-bearing portion of a home and is usually built below ground, though different types are built at different locations under a home. For instance, a basement foundation is built at least eight feet deep into the ground under the house to create living space below the ground level of the home. A crawl space foundation is built under a shallow trench beneath your home—typically between two and five feet deep. A slab foundation, also known as a monolithic or monoslab foundation, simply lays flat against the ground under your home. Pier and beam foundations also rest on the ground, but elevate the home using piers, typically about two feet off the ground.

• Basement Foundations: Also called a full basement foundation or a daylight basement, a basement foundation is one of the most popular types of foundations. One of the appeals of a basement foundation is that it offers additional living space under the home. A daylight basement typically includes windows to let natural light into the space. This type of foundation allows for homeowners to maximize the footprint of their home by offering a finished living space.
• Concrete Slab Foundations: Also called a slab, monolithic, or monoslab foundation, this type of foundation is essentially a poured concrete slab that rests on the ground under your home. It’s typically one single piece and is relatively easy and inexpensive to build.
• Crawlspace Foundations: This type of foundation provides just enough space under a home for a person to crawl around in to access plumbing or wiring, or store equipment such as a furnace.
• Wood Foundations: These types of foundations are less common, though they were a popular choice in the mid 20th-Century. A wood foundation is typically made of pest and mold-resistant wood, like cedar or redwood. They are easy to install, though they aren’t as long-lasting as concrete foundations. Wood foundations are not ideal for climates that see a lot of rain and snow, as they must be built on very dry soil.
• Pier and Beam Foundations: These foundations, which are common in coastal areas, use piers and beams to lift a house off the ground. Also known as pier and post or pier and pile foundations, the aim of pier and beam foundations is to support a home that is built on sand or soil that is prone to flooding, erosion, or ground shifts. A structural engineer needs to oversee the building of a pier and beam foundation to ensure its structural integrity.

The typical cost to repair a foundation is between $2,200 and $7,500, though most homeowners pay around $4,800. The price of a foundation repair depends on the extent of damage. Major repairs that require the use of hydraulic piers can cost $10,000 or more, while minor cracks can run as low as $500. Fixing a leaky foundation by sealing it costs between $2,300 and $7,300.

Concrete foundations that are reinforced with steel plinth and beams are considered to be the strongest type of foundation—especially on lots with loose or muddy soil. This type of foundation uses a reinforced concrete beam built between the wall and the foundation. Homes built in areas that are prone to flooding or earthquakes also benefit from a foundation that contains steel plinth and beams.