Foundation repair is one of the largest single expenses a DFW homeowner will ever face — and one of the easiest to overpay on, under-protect on, or simply get wrong. The soil under Dallas-Fort Worth is expansive clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, which means foundation movement is a fact of life here. What separates a lasting repair from a repeat problem is the quality of the contractor standing behind it.
IFR Foundation Repair has repaired thousands of foundations across the metroplex since 2000. We want you to ask hard questions — of us or of anyone else. A contractor who welcomes your questions is a contractor you can trust. A contractor who deflects them is a red flag. Here are the fourteen questions that matter most, grouped by topic, with what a straight answer should sound like.
Questions About the Repair Method
1. Which pier type are you recommending — and why?
Concrete pressed piers, steel piers, and helical piers all have a legitimate place in DFW repair. The right answer names a specific pier type and explains why it fits your soil depth, structure weight, and budget — not just "whatever we install." IFR installs all three and matches the pier to your conditions, not to our inventory. See our concrete vs. steel vs. helical piers comparison.
2. How deep will the piers go, and how do you know?
The answer should reference soil conditions and pier depth-to-bearing. Steel piers in DFW are typically driven 20–30+ feet to reach stable soil below the active clay zone; concrete pressed piers run shallower (8–15 feet) and rely on the weight of the structure for resistance. A contractor who can't explain the difference is guessing.
3. Do you repair my foundation type — slab or pier and beam?
Not every company does both well. Slab repair and pier-and-beam repair require different skills, equipment, and access. Confirm the contractor has real experience with your specific foundation type. IFR repairs both across DFW. See our slab vs. pier and beam guide.
Questions About Engineering and Evaluation
4. Will a structural engineer evaluate my foundation?
An engineer isn't required for every job, but it's a strong sign when a contractor follows the ASCE Texas Section guidelines for a Level A investigation and brings in a licensed Texas Professional Engineer when the cause of movement is unclear, when a home has had repeated repairs, or when a lender or real estate transaction requires a stamped report. Ask whether — and when — an engineer gets involved. IFR works with licensed engineers whenever evaluation calls for it.
5. What did your inspection actually find — and can I see the report?
You should receive a written evaluation of what's moving, why it's moving, and what the repair will address. Vague verbal reassurance is not a report. IFR provides a free, no-obligation inspection with a detailed written report on every evaluation.
6. Is the problem drainage, plumbing, or the foundation itself?
This is the question that separates honest contractors from salespeople. Foundation movement is often symptomatic of water — poor drainage or a plumbing leak — not just bad soil. A trustworthy contractor will tell you if drainage correction is a prerequisite to lasting repair, and will be upfront that plumbing is outside their scope. IFR is explicitly NOT responsible for plumbing damage or pre-existing sewer failures before, during, or after a foundation lift.
Questions About Warranty and Insurance
7. What exactly does the warranty cover — and for how long?
"Lifetime warranty" is a phrase anyone can print on a brochure. Ask what's covered (typically the installed piers), what's excluded, and how long the coverage actually lasts. Get it in writing. IFR offers a lifetime transferable warranty on all pier work.
8. Is the warranty transferable to a future homeowner?
This matters enormously when you eventually sell. A warranty that dies when you move provides far less protection than one that stays with the home. IFR's lifetime warranty on pier work is transferable, which protects your home's resale value.
9. Are you licensed and fully insured — and can you show proof?
Any reputable contractor will provide proof of insurance without hesitation. If they hedge, walk away. IFR is fully insured and provides documentation on request.
10. How long have you been in business — and will you be here in 10 years?
A warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. Look for a track record measured in decades, not months. IFR has served DFW since 2000 — more than 25 years — and holds a BBB Torch Award for Ethics.
Questions About the Contract and Cost
11. Is drainage correction included, or is it an upsell later?
The ASCE Texas Section guidelines emphasize that drainage correction is often a prerequisite for lasting repair. If water keeps running to the foundation, the clay keeps moving and the repair fails. Ask whether drainage is part of the plan — not a surprise add-on after the piers are in. IFR installs French drains, surface drains, and grading corrections as part of a complete solution.
12. What's the total price — and what could change it?
Get a written estimate that breaks down the work. Ask what could change the price once the job starts, and whether the quote is fixed or an estimate. IFR provides same-day written estimates after a free inspection — no pressure, no hidden fees.
13. Do you offer financing, and what are the terms?
Foundation repair is a big expense, and many DFW homeowners finance it. Ask what financing options are available and what the terms actually are before you commit. IFR offers financing options — ask about them during your free inspection. See IFR financing.
14. What happens if plumbing fails during the lift?
This is the question most homeowners never think to ask — and it matters in DFW, where pre-1985 homes often have aging cast-iron sewer lines under the slab. A contractor who claims 50-year-old cast-iron lines can't possibly separate during a lift is not being honest. IFR is upfront: IFR is explicitly NOT responsible for plumbing damage or pre-existing sewer failures before, during, or after a foundation lift. Ask about hydrostatic testing before and after the lift. See our cast-iron plumbing guide.
🔍 Red Flags to Watch For
- Pressure to sign the same day with a "today only" discount
- Refusal to put the warranty or scope in writing
- Hesitation to show proof of insurance
- No mention of drainage or the cause of movement
- A guarantee that cast-iron plumbing "won't" fail during a lift
- A company with no verifiable track record or reviews
How IFR Foundation Repair Answers These Questions
We don't expect you to take our word for it. IFR Foundation Repair has served the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 2000 with more than 25 years of experience, a 4.7-star Google rating across 440+ reviews, and a BBB Torch Award for Ethics. We're veteran-owned and fully insured, and every pier we install carries a lifetime transferable warranty.
The best way to get honest answers to all fourteen questions — for your specific foundation — is a free inspection. We'll evaluate your home, explain what we find, and give you a written report and estimate with no obligation and no pressure.
Ask Us Anything. We'll Answer Straight.
Free inspection. Written report. Honest answers from a company that's been here for 25+ years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should I ask a foundation repair contractor?
Ask about the specific repair method proposed (concrete pressed piers, steel piers, or helical piers), whether a structural engineer will evaluate the foundation, what the warranty covers and whether it transfers to a new owner, whether drainage correction is included, and whether the contractor is fully insured. IFR Foundation Repair answers all of these directly during a free inspection.
Do I need a structural engineer before foundation repair?
Not always. A structural engineer is most valuable when the cause of movement is unclear, when a home has had repeated repairs, or when a real estate transaction or lender requires a stamped report. IFR Foundation Repair follows ASCE Texas Section guidelines and works with licensed Texas Professional Engineers whenever engineering evaluation is appropriate.
What should a foundation repair warranty include?
A strong warranty should be written, clearly state what is covered (typically the installed piers), and — most importantly — be transferable to a future homeowner. IFR Foundation Repair offers a lifetime transferable warranty on all pier work that stays with the home.
Is foundation repair covered by homeowners insurance?
Typically not. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover foundation movement from soil settlement, which is the most common cause in DFW. Insurance may cover a foundation if damage is caused by a covered peril such as a sudden plumbing leak, but the plumbing itself is generally the homeowner's responsibility. IFR Foundation Repair offers financing options to help manage repair costs.
Contact IFR Foundation Repair
Ready to get honest answers about your foundation? We're here to help.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes by IFR Foundation Repair. References to ASCE Texas Section guidelines are based on the "Guidelines for the Evaluation and Repair of Residential Foundations" (Version 3, April 2022), which are guidelines — not standards — published by the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Cost figures are general estimates and vary by site conditions. IFR Foundation Repair is explicitly NOT responsible for plumbing damage or pre-existing sewer failures before, during, or after a foundation lift. This article does not constitute engineering advice.