How to choose a foundation repair company in Pennsylvania
A crack in a basement wall or water on the floor after a storm is stressful, and the first company you call may not be the right one. Some of the companies listed here mostly keep water out. Others mostly fix walls and foundations that have moved. Many do both. This guide covers what to look for before you sign anything.
Know which problem you have
Water coming in is usually a waterproofing job: drain tile, a sump pump, sealing cracks or encapsulating a crawl space. Walls that bow, floors that sag or doors that stick point to a structural problem that calls for wall anchors, braces or piers. A good company will tell you which one you have after an inspection, and many listed here say they offer that inspection for free. A simple first step is to point your downspouts away from the house, onto lawn or garden.
Check the contractor's registration
Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act names waterproofing as home improvement work. Contractors who do at least $5,000 of home improvements a year must register with the Attorney General, and the registration number must appear on their ads, estimates and contracts. Look it up on the Attorney General's Home Improvement Contractor Search or call 1-888-520-6680. Philadelphia also keeps its own licensed contractor search. The listings on this site show whether a company states a license on its own website. This site does not check licenses or registrations.
Get it in writing
Under the same law, a home improvement contract must be in writing, signed and dated, and show the contractor's registration number. You can cancel it without penalty within three business days of signing. A contractor cannot take payment before the contract is signed, and on a contract over $5,000 the deposit is limited to one-third of the price, plus special-order materials.
Ask about permits and digging
Permit rules are set by your municipality under the state building code. Philadelphia, for example, requires a building permit for major repairs. Ask the company who pulls the permit. If the job means digging outside, such as exterior waterproofing or drain tile, state law requires a call to PA One Call at least three and no more than ten business days before digging. Call 811.
How to read a listing
Each listing shows the services a company names on its own website: foundation repair, basement waterproofing, bowing wall repair, piers, crack repair, crawl space work, sump pumps, drain tile, concrete lifting and egress windows. A service under "No information yet" means the company's site does not say. Call and ask.
Sources: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, Act 132 of 2008; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, contractor registration; Underground Utility Line Protection Law, Act 287 and PA One Call; Philadelphia L&I; Penn State Extension. Checked October 9, 2026.