I just don't want to dig a hole I won't be able to get out of. 

I'll dig a little deeper into those organizations/events.

Some of what you are seeking might be found in this other thread:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/297010-pa-lawsAnd I suggest you look into DIG as well: http://digonline.org/

By the looks of it i would say your Dad is right, it looks like the concrete has deteriorated due to water. you do not need a foundation co. just hire a mason to cement it back up inside, but first take care of the cause on the outside, get that leader pipe to drain away from the house by either extending the pipe above ground or dig a shallow trench and run a pipe under ground away from the house. also make sure the soil around the house is pitched away so that water moves away from the house.

Or, get an excavator for half a day or so, and dig a bunch of test holes.  

I told most folks here on BG and in many seminars that if I sit at computer long enough I can dig a lot of great information up to prove what a great city Charlotte is.

To dig a bit deeper, I purchased the property with the tenants currently living there.

You can imagine my surprise when I busted out some of the basement stairs to the outside bulkhead to dig a hole for a sump pit/pump and hit something hard with my shovel which turned out to be the old sump pit/pump that they buried.

Rob, I think you need to dig a little deeper, need more information to provide better feedback.

I guess I just need to dig a little deeper.