As a first entry, I think it's important to start with a great foundation, so let's focus on the foundations of a home, specifically, slab foundations. I am a realtor, not a contractor and not a repairman to any degree, nor a structural engineer. I have however repaired my own foundation, and in doing so, learned quite a bit in the process. Because of my work as a realtor, I have seen many forms of foundation repair.

Assuming you see signs of foundation movement which are more extreme than normal:

1. Hire a good plumber to perform a pressure test on your plumbing for any leaks inside the foundation
2. If the work above shows a leak in your plumbing, have a plumber do further work to locate the exact area of the leak, via a camera which could record the hole for future viewing if necessary for other steps (if a leak is detected, shut off your water to the property).
3. Hire a good structural engineer to review the movements of the property and then outline the required steps in leveling the foundation. Make sure your Engineer will revisit the property and sign off if the exact work is done.
4. Hire a good foundation company to bid on the work your structural engineer outlined. Add to their project the need to dig a hole towards the leak in the plumbing line (their cost to dig is cheaper than a plumbers cost).
5. Get the work started, the holes dug, the one hole dug to the plumbing leak
6. Have the plumber visit the site where the hole is dug to repair the broken plumbing line
   Don't take the cheap way out for the method of foundation repair. Choose the steel reinforced concrete pier, from bedrock to the slab.
7. Have your structural engineer revisit the property and sign off on the whole project.

Home owners often make the mistake of going FIRST to the foundation company, because they do not charge for quotes or time. This makes sense because no money is spent; however, you are not sure of the outcome. Foundation companies offer a lifetime warranty on their work, but their warranty does not cover any issues associated FROM their work.

I began with a focus on the plumbing lines for a reason. Any water issue must be cleared up first prior to stabilizing the foundation. This would include rain water and water resulting from sprinkler systems and general run off from locations up stream. I also see partial foundation work where only one side of a slab foundation was repaired instead of. the whole slab.

If you want a good referral for any of the above steps or just want more information, please contact me. I'll be more than happy to help.