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Avatar for Level Foundation Repair & Waterproofing

Level Foundation Repair & Waterproofing

5.00(
2
)

Level Foundation Repair & Waterproofing

5.00(
2
)
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

We are a team of well-educated professionals with a company culture of mutual respect and trust. We deliver quality projects on time and within budget because we have genuinely care and concern for our customers. About the owners: Levi Bechtum has been in the construction industry for the past 12 years. His primary focus has been in remodel construction, excavation and plumbing. Born and raised in La Crosse, Levi attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse where he majored in Accounting and Finance. Levi lives in La Crosse with his wife and two kids. During his free time, Levi enjoys taking his family camping, buying reduced and damaged produce at the grocery store, creating small batches of charcuterie with his grandma’s recipes and organizing messy spaces—specifically tools. Josh Hutson grew up in rural Washington State. His family operated a sustainable organic hobby farm in addition to logging and excavating. Hard work and family values weren’t talked about as much as they were lived. In 2004, Josh left high school to enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he deployed twice to Iraq. He was later awarded a scholarship to attend Norwich University in Vermont and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduating with a degree in History and Creative Writing. He has held roles at the US State Department and most recently was the Director of Business Development at a regional construction firm. Josh is committed to excellence. He enjoys providing long lasting solutions to complex problems, and is ultimately driven by wanting to help and serve. Josh lives in La Crosse with his wife and three children. He enjoys playing in the park near his house, eating ice cream and shooting things from very long distances.

"Quick and efficient. Nice work."

Ann V on August 2019

We are a team of well-educated professionals with a company culture of mutual respect and trust. We deliver quality projects on time and within budget because we have genuinely care and concern for our customers. About the owners: Levi Bechtum has been in the construction industry for the past 12 years. His primary focus has been in remodel construction, excavation and plumbing. Born and raised in La Crosse, Levi attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse where he majored in Accounting and Finance. Levi lives in La Crosse with his wife and two kids. During his free time, Levi enjoys taking his family camping, buying reduced and damaged produce at the grocery store, creating small batches of charcuterie with his grandma’s recipes and organizing messy spaces—specifically tools. Josh Hutson grew up in rural Washington State. His family operated a sustainable organic hobby farm in addition to logging and excavating. Hard work and family values weren’t talked about as much as they were lived. In 2004, Josh left high school to enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he deployed twice to Iraq. He was later awarded a scholarship to attend Norwich University in Vermont and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduating with a degree in History and Creative Writing. He has held roles at the US State Department and most recently was the Director of Business Development at a regional construction firm. Josh is committed to excellence. He enjoys providing long lasting solutions to complex problems, and is ultimately driven by wanting to help and serve. Josh lives in La Crosse with his wife and three children. He enjoys playing in the park near his house, eating ice cream and shooting things from very long distances.

"Quick and efficient. Nice work."

Ann V on August 2019

Earthquake Retrofitting questions, answered by experts

Many homeowners want to know whether earthquake retrofitting is tax deductible. Because it’s often considered a capital improvement, you usually can’t deduct it. In some cases and locations, you may qualify for tax incentives, but you’ll need to talk to a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about your specific circumstances. You may also be able to find grant money for seismic upgrades, which can lower the cost of your insurance premiums and save money over time.

A home with proper earthquake retrofitting can sustain minimal damage in earthquakes of up to 7.0 magnitude, although risks are higher based on how close and deep the earthquake is. A home closer to the earthquake epicenter will sustain greater damage, especially if the earthquake is closer to the surface of the Earth, but retrofitting can help minimize the risk of injuries.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.

Grounding is a great first step to prevent electrical shock, but you can take it further with GFCI outlets and AFCIs (arc fault circuit interrupters). In particular, AFCIs help protect against the type of electrical arcs that cause fires, like if a mouse chews on a wire or your laptop starts overheating at the wall. These are required in some areas of your home.

Depending on where you live, your insurance company may require you to have a seismic shut-off valve. It depends on local regulations along with the specific provider. If it’s not a requirement, many providers will offer a discount if you install an earthquake valve, which can save you 5% or more. Contact your provider to learn about potential savings for your plan.

The Winona, MN homeowners’ guide to earthquake retrofitting services

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

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