Engineering & Permits

While the time frame for permits issuance varies by jurisdiction, typically it takes 6-8 weeks to obtain. ECA (Environmentally Critical Areas) tend to require additional testing, such as geotechnical reports and soil testing, which can add to the permit process. Geotechnical engineers analyze the soil structure for problematic conditions concerning the ground under foundations. While we propose the fix to the homeowner, the engineer will confirm our work using necessary calculations to help alleviate possible problems with the structure, such as leaning chimneys, cracks on walls, doors or windows no longer closing as they are supposed to due to the home no longer being level , homes slipping from the foundation, or the actual foundation sinking. Our engineers will be able to come out to the property and provide a property assessment and contract estimate free of charge.

Rules to Follow: Permits are there for the purpose of enforcing building codes designed to ensure that all properties meet minimum safety and structural standards It is not only for the safety of the contractor and its employees, but for the homeowner and its household After all, the reason you are choosing to fix the foundation of your home is to make it stable and safe. Remember: If the do-it-yourselfer or a hired contractor does not pull permits for scopes of work requiring same, the homeowner becomes the responsible party with many times no penalty to the hired contractor. The local governing authority establishes how penalties are assessed. While not all projects need permits or engineering, it is a good idea to make sure so that you are getting the work needed to specification.

City ordinances require that you get a construction permit for projects that involve alterations of a buildings, which is the category foundation repair falls under. While most of our drainage projects do not require a permit, ALL foundation repair projects done hydraulically do require a permit and we follow all city requirements as needed. If work is completed without the benefit of permits, it is a violation. No further permits will be issued for that site until the violation is corrected. Additional fees and/or penalties may result and a lien may be placed against the property until the violation is corrected.

We have been called out to repair jobs done by others without engineering, and those owners and contractors who do work without permits find themselves in a tough spot. Not only have they needed to provide proof of engineering and permits after the work had been completed, costing them more than it would have originally, but they’ve also incurred fines on top of the permit/engineering costs, all of which fall onto the homeowner to correct. If the contractor gets caught during construction, the project gets red flagged until proper documentation is obtained, and the contractor could even get fined and/or their license suspended and banned from doing any type of work within that city in the future.

The city may issue a stop work order against you if you start a project without a permit. If you fail to get a final inspection approval, you may be fined or taken other enforcement actions against you and/or the contractor that performed the work.

All of these rules are there to protect the homeowner