What To Put In A Foundation Repair Service Agreement
A generic contractor service agreement usually misses the three things that matter most in foundation repair: when a structural engineer needs to be involved, what happens when ground conditions differ from what was assumed, and how far the warranty actually goes.
Engineer involvement — state it before work begins, not after
Where a structural engineer's evaluation or stamped letter is required by code or by the scope of work, the agreement should say who arranges it and who pays for it, before work starts — not as a surprise line item mid-job.
Ground conditions and pre-existing damage
Soil composition, existing structural damage, and drainage conditions aren't always fully visible until work begins. The agreement should say plainly that if conditions differ materially from what was assumed in the quote, the client gets notified and a revised price before any additional work — not a surprise final bill.
Warranty — and its explicit limit
The workmanship warranty should state its terms clearly, whether it's transferable to a future property owner, and — just as important — what it does not cover. A warranty against installation defects is not the same as a guarantee against all future settlement or soil movement, and the agreement should say so directly rather than leave it ambiguous.
The rest: standard but still necessary
Access and property protection, pricing and payment terms, insurance and liability, scheduling flexibility for weather and ground conditions, and a termination clause round out the agreement — standard sections, but still worth having in writing rather than assumed.
This is a starting point, not legal advice. Have a licensed attorney in your state review any service agreement before using it for real jobs — requirements vary by location.