Texas does not have a state license for foundation repair contractors, so the checking falls to you. Check the permit, the engineer's license, the written plan and the final sign-off.
No. Texas does not have a state license for foundation repair contractors. Lawmakers have considered creating one. A 2013 bill, HB 613, cleared a House committee but failed to pass to engrossment in the House on May 9, 2013. A 2011 bill, SB 1399, passed the Senate and was reported by a House committee, and its history page shows no House floor vote.
Engineers are different. Evaluating a foundation and designing its repair is engineering work, and the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers says it shall be done by a professional engineer licensed in Texas.
Check the things that do have an official record. Start with the city and the engineer, and then the paperwork.
A real repair plan is specific to your house. The ASCE guidelines say remedial documents should be specific to the project and based on engineering calculations. They list items the documents should include:
Ask about independence and responsibility. The ASCE guidelines say an evaluating engineer must be impartial and avoid conflicts of interest. They also say the engineer who seals the repair documents is the engineer of record with approval authority over changes, and that engineers may seal only work done by them or under their direct supervision.
Ask what you will receive at the end. The guidelines say floor elevations should be measured after the repair, with a copy to the client. They also say an engineer, if retained to do so, can provide a letter of substantial completion stating that the work generally conforms to the plans, with any deviations noted.
Call a Texas licensed engineer before you pick a repair company if cracks, sloping floors or sticking doors are getting worse. Call Amarillo Building Safety if you are unsure about permits.
No, because Texas has no state license for the trade. You can look up an engineer through the state engineering board, and you can ask your city about permits and contractor registration.
Yes, under the ASCE Texas Section guidelines, which say the evaluation and repair design shall be performed by a professional engineer licensed in Texas.
It is a letter from the engineer, if retained to provide one, saying the finished work generally conforms to the repair documents, with any deviations noted.
The ASCE guidelines say an evaluating engineer must be impartial and avoid conflicts of interest so the evaluation is credible.
Amarillo House Leveling is a free referral service, not a contractor. Request a free quote from a local foundation repair contractor.