Groundworks Review 2026: Costs, Services, and What Homeowners Should Know

What Is Groundworks?

Groundworks is a national foundation repair and waterproofing company headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, founded in 1986. As of 2026, it operates 61 locations across 33 states and employs more than 4,400 people. Its core services include foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, concrete lifting, and sump pump installation. It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with a 4.5-star average based on customer reviews (BBB profile last verified May 2026).

Why Modernize Recommends Groundworks

We recommend Groundworks because it offers a wide range of services, transferable warranties, and a price-match guarantee. These features are important when considering expensive, long-term home repairs. While many companies offer warranties, few let you transfer them to future buyers, which can help with resale value. The price-match guarantee — plus a $100 discount if you bring a written competitor estimate — helps make sure you do not overpay.

Still, it is a good idea to get at least two quotes before making a decision. According to the Modernize 2025 Homeowner Insights Report, warranty or guarantees are the top non-price factor homeowners consider when choosing a contractor, which is one reason Groundworks’ transferable warranty stands out. The same report found that 40.96% of homeowners plan to compare two contractor quotes before committing, making it easier than ever to use Groundworks’ price-match guarantee to your advantage.

Pros and Cons of Groundworks

Groundworks pros

• Comprehensive service lineup: You can get foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, concrete lifting, and dehumidifier installation all from one provider, which makes it easier to coordinate your project.
• Transferable warranties: Groundworks covers its work against manufacturing defects and normal wear, and the warranty transfers to new owners when you sell your home. This is rare in the foundation repair industry and can help when selling your house.
• Price-match guarantee: Groundworks will match and beat any written competitor estimate and give you an extra $100 discount. This is helpful since foundation repair prices are often unclear and can vary a lot by region.
• Annual maintenance program: Members receive yearly inspections of their foundation, basement, and crawl spaces, plus priority scheduling. This helps you catch problems early before they become emergencies.

Groundworks cons

• No online estimates: Groundworks does not list prices online and requires an in-home inspection before giving a quote. This can make the process take longer and makes it harder to compare prices. According to the Modernize 2025 Homeowner Insights Report, 69.6% of homeowners want to know how long their first meeting will last before it starts — so ask your representative for a time estimate when you schedule.
• Limited availability: Service is available in 33 states only. Homeowners in the Southeast, Mountain West, and rural regions may not have a Groundworks location within a reasonable distance.
• Premium pricing: At an average of $12,000 to $20,000 for foundation repair, Groundworks prices at or above the industry average. Competitors like Ram Jack are often more affordable for standard pier work, though scope and warranty terms differ.

What Services Does Groundworks Offer?

Groundworks offers five core service categories, covering nearly every major foundation and water management issue a homeowner might face. Each project begins with a free in-home inspection, after which a technician provides a custom scope and written estimate.

Foundation repair

Groundworks uses steel piers, wall anchors, carbon fiber straps, and its own SettleStop IntelliJack system to stabilize and lift settling foundations. IntelliJacks are custom-fitted and can be adjusted over time, which is helpful for homes that may keep shifting.

Basement waterproofing

Interior waterproofing systems include the AquaStop BasementGutter, which channels water along the perimeter to a sump pump, and the AquaStop Sump Pump System, which features battery backup and quiet operation to maintain function during power outages.

Crawl space encapsulation

The CrawlSeal Vapor Barrier system uses a heavy-duty moisture barrier to seal crawl spaces against humidity, reducing air quality problems and improving energy efficiency. Dehumidifier installation is available as an add-on.

Concrete lifting

Groundworks fixes uneven concrete on sidewalks, patios, and driveways by using a polyurethane foam injection process. This method is faster and less invasive than replacing the entire slab.

Specialty products and add-ons

Carbon fiber wall repairs, specialty drainage systems, and humidity control equipment round out the service list for complex or multi-issue projects.

How Much Does Groundworks Cost?

Most Groundworks foundation repair projects cost between $12,000 and $20,000, with an average of about $15,000. Waterproofing and encapsulation are usually less expensive: basement waterproofing averages $11,000 and crawl space encapsulation averages $13,000. The final price depends on how severe the damage is, local labor rates, and which products are used.

Cost by service

Service	Typical Range	Average
Foundation Repair	$12,000 to $20,000	$15,000
Basement Waterproofing	$8,000 to $16,000	$11,000
Crawl Space Encapsulation	$10,000 to $18,000	$13,000

Factors that affect price

• Damage severity: Fixing a single cracked wall costs less than repairing several shifting piers or a badly damaged crawl space.
• Location: Labor and material costs vary a lot by region. Projects in the Northeast and Pacific Coast usually cost more than those in the Southeast.
• Product selection: Proprietary systems like IntelliJacks and AquaStop parts cost more than standard alternatives.
• Project scope: Homes with more than one issue — such as a wet basement and a settling foundation — will get separate quotes for each problem.

Financing

Groundworks partners with third-party lenders to offer payment plans. Seasonal promotions may be available, so ask your representative during the in-home consultation. Be sure to confirm interest rates and terms directly with the lender before signing.

How Does Groundworks Compare to Competitors?

Groundworks is one of the largest foundation repair companies in the U.S. by number of locations, but size is not the only factor to consider. Here is how it compares to three common alternatives.

Groundworks vs. Olshan Foundation Solutions

Olshan mainly serves the South and Central U.S. and is known for straightforward pier and beam repair. For minor repairs in its service area, Olshan is often less expensive than Groundworks. However, Groundworks offers a wider range of services — including waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation — which Olshan does not provide at the same scale. Both companies offer transferable warranties, but the specific terms may differ.

Groundworks vs. Ram Jack

Ram Jack specializes in helical pier systems and operates through a franchise network. It is usually more affordable than Groundworks for pier-based foundation stabilization. The trade-off is that Ram Jack offers fewer services and does not provide waterproofing or encapsulation at most locations. If you have a single, clear structural issue, Ram Jack is a good company to get a quote from.

Groundworks vs. JES Foundation Repair

JES is a regional competitor that mainly operates along the East Coast and is actually a Groundworks subsidiary. Pricing and service standards are similar. JES may offer faster project timelines in some areas, but if you are in a JES service area, you are really choosing between two branches of the same company.

Customer Reviews: What Homeowners Say

Groundworks has an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.5-star average from customer reviews (verified May 2026). Homeowners verified by Modernize often mention the crew’s professionalism and good communication as standout qualities.

Jenny G. wrote: “Jose kept me informed at all times of every move they made on the job… They did an excellent job.” John N., who collected three competing quotes before choosing Groundworks, noted that Certified Field Inspector Christian Atkins “stood out the most with his knowledge, toolset, and passion for helping people” — and that the foreman’s crew moved his install date up after permits cleared ahead of schedule. Joanne R. and Dianne L. both praised crews for communicating progress in real time, including photo updates during active work.

However, a few BBB reviewers have reported trouble reaching Groundworks to schedule warranty service after their project was finished. Before you sign, ask your representative to explain the warranty response process in writing, including how to start a service call and what turnaround time to expect.

Does Groundworks Operate Under Other Brand Names?

Yes. Groundworks operates 23 regional brands across the U.S., each functioning as a locally known company backed by Groundworks’ national resources, training standards, and warranty program. If you have received a quote from one of the companies below, you are working within the Groundworks network.

This setup is common in the home services industry. Local brands keep their regional reputation and crews, but also get access to proprietary products, centralized training, and the transferable Groundworks warranty.

Full list of Groundworks subsidiary brands (as of May 2026):

Brand	Primary Region / Specialty
A-1 Sewer & Drain	Sewer and drain services
AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists	Southeast
Alpha Foundations	Florida
AquaGuard Foundation Solutions	Georgia and Southeast
Baker’s Waterproofing	Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic
Basement Authority of WV	West Virginia
Bay Area Underpinning	Northern California
Dry Pro Foundation and Crawlspace Specialists	Carolinas
EagleLift	Midwest concrete lifting
Eco-Soil Stabilizers	Commercial soil stabilization
Foundation Recovery Systems	Missouri and Midwest
Foundation Repair of Western Colorado	Colorado
FSM	Michigan
FSS Foundation Support Specialists	Texas
Indiana Foundation Service	Indiana
Innovative Basement Authority	Minnesota and Upper Midwest
JES Foundation Repair	Virginia and Mid-Atlantic
Leveled Concrete	Concrete lifting specialty
Matvey Foundation Repair	Pacific Northwest
Mount Valley Foundation Services	Carolinas and Virginia
Ohio Basement Authority	Ohio
Tar Heel Basement Systems	North Carolina
WTX Foundation Repair	West Texas

Note: Regional coverage for individual brands may vary. Verify availability directly with the local branch.

If, for example, you are comparing quotes and one is from JES Foundation Repair and another is from a Groundworks location, you are looking at two branches of the same company. Warranty terms, product lines, and quality standards should be consistent across brands, but it is worth checking that the specific warranty language matches between estimates.

Final Verdict: Should You Hire Groundworks?

Groundworks is a reliable, well-established choice for homeowners facing major foundation damage, ongoing basement water problems, or moisture issues in a crawl space. Its national presence, transferable warranties, and price-match guarantee make it a strong option for expensive, long-term repairs where quality and warranty protection matter more than upfront cost.

It is not the best choice for minor repairs, homeowners outside its 33-state service area, or anyone who wants a quick online estimate before scheduling an inspection. For those situations, Olshan (South/Central U.S.) or Ram Jack offer fewer services but are more affordable for single structural issues.

Bottom line: Schedule the free Groundworks inspection, and bring a written estimate from a competitor to use the price-match guarantee. Make sure to read the warranty terms before you sign.