All Forum Posts by: Craig Tripp

Pics are blurry but you can tell the stair step crack coming off right side of window has been re-tucked before (new mortar put in place) and maybe has moved a little more.  As all have stated above, it is a veneer, but also it will likely indicate that corner is down.  

Are there any issues with doors on interior?

Any matching cracks on interior?

Very difficult to assess via 6x pics.  Find a local foundation repair company (not a salesman) to give you an honest look.  Another good idea is to have an engineer complete an elevation report (paid by current owner if able) that will serve as a baseline when you want/need to sell down the road.  It can be remeasured in the future, compared to baseline and will help put buyers at ease.

How about renting a cheap storage facility to use for storing inventory?  Do you have room at your location for a shipping container to be brought in?  Maybe lose some of the excess inventory?

Not answers to your questions about buying residential storage homes but certainly a more cost efficient way to go if able.

Sounds interesting and I’ll be following.  The condo setup recommended by @Greg Dickerson is a proven concept that has worked for us.  

I’m also interested in BRRRing warehouse space for my foundation repair company.  The idea would be to rehab a space as we occupy it.  Once complete, find the next but lease the current space to grow one shop at a time and accumulate 

I have found that cutting it low to the ground and covering with an upside down flower pot will take care of it in a season and prevent it from growing back with a vengeance.

Remove the light and oxygen and it’s gone for good. 

I like that you didn't neglect the foundation...so many owners try to rehab in spite of the crawlspace then have problems down the road.

Recommendation: Try to avoid steel shims on a pier and beam home, rot/insect resistant cedar shingles are preferred:

- allows for more precise leveling

- can be easily installed without over driving thicker shims and creating humps in flooring down the road.

Congrats

@Naz Hossain

The warranty is only as good as the foundation repair company that did the work.  If they go out of business or decide not to honor it for one reason or another... you’re out of luck.

Due diligence on them and the method/technique of their repairs is highly recommended.

That’s a difficult one for sure, and not much to work off because “it looked like” the wall was leaning in.

Worthwhile to establish a baseline for now to monitor going forward.  But, appearances can be deceiving and if tenants aren’t complaining / there’s not water coming in it may not be a problem just yet.

I’m from your neck of the woods, so don’t know basements at all.  I do hope you find a good engineer and/or contractor to help point you in the right direction. 

@Cameron Davis

I got on my high horse early the other day, and understand why you would have trust issues if you have been burned before by any contractor. 

I incorrectly assumed since you’re located in Austin, and shopping in Milwaukee, you had someone there that you can trust and rely on for help and information.

I love me some engineers... and know they provide a valuable service.  However, it can be very misleading to provide an elevation report well after a home is constructed with no consideration or knowledge of what was the original elevation.  It could either force you into repairs that are not needed, or provide a false sense of security when an actual concern does exist.  Elevation reports are one component of the foundation, it is equally (I would argue more) important to diagnosis and analyze the functionality and fit of doors, windows, trim, and finishes to determine if and where the foundation has moved.  Another way to look at it is the science (elevation data) vs the art (function and appearance).  

Your original statement was that you think you may have a foundation problem, I likely could have helped more if I asked you what makes you think that?  Do you have issues with doors, diagonal cracks in drywall/bricks, excessive tilt in the floors?  Analyzing remotely is impossible to do, but I do find many homeowners are more concerned with their foundation than I am.  If I can help via forum I’d love to, just as I appreciate being able to talk a customer down off the ledge when I tell them everything is fine and call me back next summer if it gets any worse.

I understand my industry can be full of crooks, but the question is the same for:

How can you trust a doctor?

How can you trust a mechanic?

How do you trust a realtor/broker/banker/investor......?

Do your research: ask friends, family, colleagues, neighbors... check with the BBB and all the other great review and online social places to find out about companies in the area.   The quality companies (if you have any in your area) will rise to top.

If I’m not profesional, accurate, and honest in every inspection I conduct then I will one day run out of homes to repair...word will get out in the community.  However, if I am above reproach in the homes I inspect (and the value of the work does match and exceed the cost) then I’ve always got your neighbors home to repair.  Your neighbors, friends, family... are much more valuable then you (no offense), and I’ll never have that opportunity to meet them unless I do what is right for you as the homeowner and for your home.

@Arissa Pedroza is correct. P&B are usually much cheaper to work on (sometimes not if it’s low to ground, poor access, and/or wood rot and termite damage.

But, never a need to get scared off, sometimes those are good opportunities if you know a reliable foundation repairman