Recently watched an older BP podcast episode w/ Tarol, where he was walking thru a SEA fixer, and mentioned: "if you have foundation issues, dont just jump on board with the billboard ad big foundation contractors unless you want to spend $30k".
I'm looking for more advice on solid foundation contractors, to this end. I'm in the greater-SEA area, am house-hacking a BRRR, and -- since its a 100yr old house, sitting on a hill overlooking the ocean -- its settled over time. Plaster walls are cracked, doors are sticky, the whole 9yards.
Prior to purchasing, the seller had gotten a bid from a local contrator for ~$10-12k to install pin-piles to address the foundation. The thing is (I've since researched that ), the pin-pile approach "holds up" the foundation and prevents it from sinking further, but it does not actually address or correct the existing sink.
I got another bid from a bigger shop, who's process is well advertised, and whose pricepoint came in at ALL-IN $37k, paired down to just the minimum, still at $28k. There was no structural engineer assessment, but their bid/estimate process was thorough & articulate: measuring the slope of each corner of the house from the center point on the main level, explaining Pin-piles vs. Helical piles, and leaving me convinced by their expertise and inclined to take action on their bid.
I didn't ultimately sign off, as I had not budgeted for that much into foundation work, and have since been able to do most of the foundation slab crack demo & repair myself with some local sub-contractor help.
The helical piles approach tho: drive a stake down until it hits bedrock and then neumatically "pump up" the foundation until its back to level...seems like the ultimate right approach & solution I need, before I proceed to a future phase of finishing the attic, bumping out shed dormers, and adding +1000sqft w/ +1bdrm, +1ba, & +1 wetbar/kitchennette for an STR unit.
That project phase is a few mos out, and will require a structural engineer, as I'll be adding interior structure posts, a major new ridge beam, and 20' of floor-to-ceiling full-light windows & french doors facing the bay. But since all that will sit on the very exterior west wall that has sunken over time, it seems like the cost is inevitable.
Other than FR (pin pile approach low bid) and R&R FS (the knowledgeable but med-high bid for helicol piles)...any other local contractors you know that I can consider for the helical pile approach? Or are the big dogs the best route to do it right for my situation vs. do it cheap/wrong?
Thanks in advance, Hugh
