Should I repair or replace crumbling concrete steps before adding a railing?

• <div><p>Crumbling concrete steps will affect your ability to drill into the material and affix a sturdy railing. If the damage is primarily cosmetic, you might be able to DIY the repair with a patch kit. If the concrete is badly crumbling, hire a professional who specializes in pouring concrete. The average <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-repair-chipped-broken-concrete-step-steps-lead-front-door.htm">concrete step repair cost</a> is <b>$500</b> from a professional, but the extent of the damage will determine your actual cost. The professional may recommend a replacement if the damage is extensive.</p></div>

Top-rated foundation repair specialists.

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Q: Who pulls a permit for foundation repair?

• <div><p>Most building departments will require that a certified and licensed foundation repair professional or a structural engineer pull permits for foundation repair, so homeowners usually cannot pull them themselves. This helps ensure that an experienced professional completes all structural work on your home. Minor repairs that are technically DIYable often won&rsquo;t require permits, but it&rsquo;s still a good idea to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/who-do-i-hire-foundation-repair.htm">hire a professional to carry out foundation repair</a>s.</p></div>

Q: Does a crack in the basement floor mean foundation problems?

• <div><p>Not all cracks in the basement floor signal foundation problems. As the house settles, you&rsquo;ll notice very thin hairline cracks, which you don&rsquo;t need to worry about. Cracks that are 1/8 inch or wider should require sealing, while ones that are 1/2 inch or wider require leveling. However, if you have <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/are-cracks-my-basement-floor-problem.htm">cracks in your basement floor with heaving</a>, you should call a pro to assess the situation. Heaving can lead to uneven flooring, structural issues, and foundation problems.</p></div>

Q: What does a bad house foundation look like?

• <div><p>While it can be difficult to identify a bad foundation at first glance, look for large horizontal cracks, discoloration, bulging basement walls, or signs of water damage. You may also see large gaps between the home and the foundation on the outside or signs of pooling water from a recent storm.</p></div>

Q: How do you tell the difference between settling and foundation problems?

• <div><p>Most of the time, normal foundation settling will present as thin cracks in the foundation and minor creaks in the floorboards. In contrast, you can identify foundation issues by wide or uneven foundation cracks, horizontal or step-shaped gaps on the foundation wall, or cracks that go around corners of your foundation. Foundation problems can also cause changes in your living area, like increased humidity, uneven or sloping floors, nail pops in drywall, countertops pulling away from the wall, and windows and doors getting stuck. When in doubt, call in a professional to identify the underlying cause.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Foundation Repair pros in Ester, AK

*The Angi rating for Foundation Repair companies in Ester, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Foundation Repair needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Foundation Repair companies in Ester, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Foundation Repair needs.

Last update on July 13, 2024

Reviewed in July 2024
I have had several homes repaired over the years by numerous contractors and this is by far the best experience I have ever had!! Would recommend 10/10!!
I. E. J., LLC
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Reviewed in February 2024
Repaired multiple holes in my drywall, large and small. Did the job correctly and professionally. He placed backer board, sheetrock patches, dry wall tape around the edges, and speckled in multiple coats. Then he sanded the areas, applied texture, and cleaned up all the debris. The repaired...
Armor Maintenance
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Reviewed in October 2023
Branden was great to work with. He and his crew did a fantastic job of replacing our 20+ year old deck foundation. We had great communication and the job was done quickly and well. I recommend Roybal Construction highly!
Roybal Construction LLC
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Reviewed in June 2023
The repair guy will be back with my parts and will be doing a maintenance job on my dryer 10-14 days when the washer parts come in. He requested a 50% down payment before parts were order.
Appliance Doctor
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Reviewed in May 2022
These guys are a new small business and have been a pleasure to work with so far and know their stuff. We had a door installed and a deck / stairs repaired and we'll be moving onto our kitchen next. All in all, fantastic service and friendly people! A good option for interior Alaska.
A & A Services
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Reviewed in February 2021
I called three months ago to have an expansion tank and zone switches replaced on my boiler. They did not bring out any parts in order to repair. So they come out a second time to do the job. Was it fixed? No, zone switch failed and they left the water off for the basement. Third time they came...
Glacier Point Services (formerly Stack Company)
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Reviewed in November 2020
Eric completed a garage ceiling repair for us and did a great job! He matched the pattern on the wallboard very nicely. He called to make sure we were satisfied with his job afterwards. I will definitely use WallDocs again.
Walldocs
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Reviewed in September 2020
This a very responsive company & the owner worked directly with my insurance company. The crew was punctual & the repairs were a test of their Excellent skills to say the least. I will definitely call them if I ever need any other work to done.
Rhino Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2016
Extraordinary service. Answered phone on first ring, came same day after hours, diagnosed and repaired our furnace in less than an hour. Made some no-pressure safety and improvement suggestions. All this with a very friendly attitude and fair price. Thank you Randy and Karl. You have a new...
Randy's Heating
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Reviewed in November 2016
They charged my wife while I was out of town part after part claiming it needed the repair and yet regardless the car still had the same problem happening every time she drove. They charged her hundreds for each repair literally raping her of cash. They do not care about customer service only...
University Chevron
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Find Foundation repair specialists in Ester

I. E. J., LLC

5.0(

)

Concrete Foundation - Repair

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

"I have had several homes repaired over the years by numerous contractors and this is by far the best experience I have ever had!! Would recommend 10/10!!"

+62

Response time11 hrs

Response rate98%

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Rhino Construction, LLC

5.0(

)

Foundation Drainage - Install or ReplaceFoundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / Encapsulation

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Free estimates

"very professional. had a number of jobs that needed to be done. am very satisfied by the results of their work. would hire them again when I need other jobs done."

+102

Response time6 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Foundation Drainage - Install or Replace

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Employed all CoViD precautions. I felt very safe having a stranger in my house at this time. So nice having full power back."

Response time1 day

Recommended by66%of homeowners

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Hampton Enterprise LLC

3.7(

)

Foundation Drainage - Install or ReplaceFoundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / Encapsulation

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They were good. They were pretty fast and came on time. My overall experience with them has been good."

Recommended by60%of homeowners

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Sub Zero Recovery & Removal

New to Angi

Foundation Drainage - Install or Replace

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 1973

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Here at Sub Zero Recovery & Removal we are here for all your needs. We have over 30 years of experience and have worked all around the Fairbanks area. We cater to every unique situation. We do both commercial and residential plowing. We also specialize in excavation work and construction clean ups. No matter the job, Sub Zero Recovery & Removal has you covered. Call us today!

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Nifty Solutions LLC

New to Angi

Poured Concrete Wall - Repair

Serving Ester, AK and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We are a multiple service company providing Handyman services and concrete services at competitive rates

Request Quote

Foundation Repair questions, answered by experts

Most building departments will require that a certified and licensed foundation repair professional or a structural engineer pull permits for foundation repair, so homeowners usually cannot pull them themselves. This helps ensure that an experienced professional completes all structural work on your home. Minor repairs that are technically DIYable often won’t require permits, but it’s still a good idea to hire a professional to carry out foundation repairs.

Not all cracks in the basement floor signal foundation problems. As the house settles, you’ll notice very thin hairline cracks, which you don’t need to worry about. Cracks that are 1/8 inch or wider should require sealing, while ones that are 1/2 inch or wider require leveling. However, if you have cracks in your basement floor with heaving, you should call a pro to assess the situation. Heaving can lead to uneven flooring, structural issues, and foundation problems.

While it can be difficult to identify a bad foundation at first glance, look for large horizontal cracks, discoloration, bulging basement walls, or signs of water damage. You may also see large gaps between the home and the foundation on the outside or signs of pooling water from a recent storm.

Crumbling concrete steps will affect your ability to drill into the material and affix a sturdy railing. If the damage is primarily cosmetic, you might be able to DIY the repair with a patch kit. If the concrete is badly crumbling, hire a professional who specializes in pouring concrete. The average concrete step repair cost is $500 from a professional, but the extent of the damage will determine your actual cost. The professional may recommend a replacement if the damage is extensive.

Most of the time, normal foundation settling will present as thin cracks in the foundation and minor creaks in the floorboards. In contrast, you can identify foundation issues by wide or uneven foundation cracks, horizontal or step-shaped gaps on the foundation wall, or cracks that go around corners of your foundation. Foundation problems can also cause changes in your living area, like increased humidity, uneven or sloping floors, nail pops in drywall, countertops pulling away from the wall, and windows and doors getting stuck. When in doubt, call in a professional to identify the underlying cause.

The Ester, AK homeowners’ guide to foundation repairs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Ginny Bartolone
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Foundation repair costs can be tricky when you have a large repair on your hands. This guide walks through costs from small cracks to total replacement.
Timothy Moore
•
Aug 5, 2026Aug 5, 2026
How Much Does Pier and Beam Foundation Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Worried about pier and beam foundation repair costs? Get a better understanding of how to budget by learning about the repair methods available to you.
Kyle Schurman
•
Jul 10, 2026Jul 10, 2026
How Much Does Underpinning a Foundation Cost? [2026 Data]
Unstable or sinking foundations require comprehensive and expensive solutions. Learn about foundation underpinning costs in this guide to set your budget.
Em Norton
•
Apr 6, 2026Apr 6, 2026
Who to Call to Repair Foundation Issues
Foundation issues are critical, so knowing how to manage them is too. Use this guide to learn who to call for foundation repair.
Catherine Hiles
•
Apr 6, 2026Apr 6, 2026
5 Questions to Ask About Concrete Foundation Repair
Minor foundation issues should be repaired before they become a major problem. When hiring a pro, consider these concrete foundation repair questions.
Em Norton
•
Jul 31, 2026Jul 31, 2026
What to Know Before Buying a House That Had Previous Foundation Repair
A house’s history of foundation repairs doesn’t always mean you shouldn’t buy it. Learn what to consider when purchasing a house with an unstable past.