Foundation Repair Consultant

the foundation man


Welcome to the Foundation Mans website! 

 Unraveling Scams in the Foundation Repair Industry

Introduction

Any building foundation is its primary structural pillar. However, when issues arise in this critical area, they can pave the way for opportunistic contractors to exploit the urgency and anxiety of homeowners. You know that is true! The foundation repair industry, much like any other, has its share of unscrupulous practices, which range from unnecessary repairs, inflated costs, use of inferior materials and methods, and incomplete work, to deceptive contracts and warranties, and faulty elevations. Compounding this is the prevalent practice of using commissioned salespeople, who are motivated to sell as much as possible, regardless of the homeowners' actual needs.

The Illusion of Unnecessary Repairs

A common scam tactic in the foundation repair arena is the proposition of unwarranted repairs. Capitalizing on homeowners' limited knowledge about foundation-related matters, unscrupulous contractors often exaggerate minor issues, portraying them as dire structural hazards. They may resort to fear-inducing strategies, such as warning homeowners of an impending house collapse, to hasten their decision-making process and make them more amenable to unnecessary interventions.

Exorbitant Pricing and Commissioned Sales

Another widespread fraudulent practice is overpricing. Dishonest contractors often inflate the costs of materials or the scale of required work, resulting in disproportionately high quotations. Sometimes, an initially reasonable quote becomes bloated with the "discovery" of new, often nonexistent, problems. These practices are often facilitated by commissioned salespeople employed by the contractors. Their income directly depends on the amount of work sold, encouraging them to suggest unnecessary services or expensive solutions even when less costly alternatives would suffice.

Contracts and Warranties Favoring Contractors

Deceptive contracts and warranties are another layer in the scam web woven by dishonest contractors. Contracts filled with convoluted language and warranties riddled with exclusions are designed to safeguard the contractor's interests, often leaving the homeowners inadequately protected in case of poor or incomplete work.

Inferior Materials and Methods

A common yet highly damaging practice among disreputable contractors is the use of substandard materials and techniques. By opting for cheap, poor-quality materials and employing unsuitable repair methods, contractors can increase their profits at the cost of the repair's effectiveness and longevity. This strategy can compound foundation issues, leading to further repair requirements in the future.

Misleading Elevations and Unwarranted Piers

Another fraudulent strategy employed by dishonest contractors is performing misleading elevations. Faulty elevation surveys can inaccurately indicate the need for piers, leading homeowners into costly and unnecessary repairs. Instead of offering a genuine assessment of the home's structural health, these contractors use faulty data to convince homeowners of the need for extensive interventions.

Incomplete or Inadequate Repairs

Lastly, some dishonest contractors may provide subpar service or leave work unfinished. Often demanding full payment upfront, these contractors may disappear once they've delivered a shoddy or incomplete service, burdening homeowners with ongoing foundation issues and the additional cost of engaging another contractor.

Guarding Against Foundation Repair Scams

The most effective strategy against these scams is prevention, achieved through detailed research and informed decision-making. Homeowners should obtain multiple quotes to get a sense of the average repair costs and should also check each company’s reputation, reviews, and references. The chosen contractor should hold a valid license, insurance, and be affiliated with recognized professional bodies. An independent assessment by a foundation consultant can also offer an unbiased understanding of the actual damage and the necessary repairs.

Conclusion

Scams in the foundation repair industry, abetted by the employment of commissioned salespeople, exploit homeowners' fears and lack of technical expertise, leading to inflated costs, unnecessary or inadequate repairs, and the use of substandard materials. Homeowners, despite the stress of dealing with foundation issues, should resist hasty decisions and invest time in finding a reliable, trustworthy contractor. Making well-informed choices and conducting due diligence can ensure that their home's foundation receives the quality repair it requires, safeguarding the home's structural integrity and their peace of mind.

The following  outlines the services offered by Richard Rash, who specializes in foundation repair and drainage solutions for residential and commercial buildings. Here is a summary of the key points:

Initial Assessment: Richard Rash evaluates the history of the home, including the year it was built, length of ownership, any previous foundation problems, plumbing issues, and disclosures regarding foundation or drainage problems during the purchase.

Foundation Evaluation: He examines the home for signs of foundation movement, both cosmetic and structural, to determine the extent of the problem.

Drainage Review: Richard reviews the drainage system and investigates potential causes of foundation problems, such as plumbing issues, bad drainage, erosion, A/C condensate overflow, faulty foundation watering, neighbor water management, and city water or sewer leaks.

Detailed Explanation: He provides a detailed explanation, using illustrations, to help clients understand the effects of various factors on their home's foundation, drainage, and plumbing systems.

Understanding Your Needs: Richard inquires about the client's intended use of the property, whether it's for living, renting, or selling, to better tailor his recommendations to their specific needs.

Solutions and Cost: He uses pictures to explain the options available to prevent, stop, and reverse foundation movement or damage, discussing costs and expected results.

Exposing Scams: Richard educates clients about common scams used in the foundation repair industry, such as unnecessary products/services, misleading contracts and warranties, phony elevation assessments, and unneeded piers.Identifying Causes: He emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes of foundation problems, as it is crucial for effective repair and prevention.

Satisfaction Guarantee: Richard commits to answering clients' questions until they are satisfied, and he expects payment only if he successfully helps them with their foundation and drainage issues.

Follow-up: Rash provides a written overview of the meeting and keeps detailed notes, making himself available for further phone discussions with clients or their contractors.

Expectations and Payment: Richard prefers to discuss clients' expectations before visiting the property and promises to provide the knowledge needed to deal with foundation and drainage issues successfully. If he agrees to assist but fails to help, he does not expect payment.

Wide Range of Expertise: With over 40 years of experience as a consumer advocate and having personally dealt with over 5000 customers  in the foundation repair industry, Richard Rash has encountered and dealt with various issues related to builders, insurance, warranties, plumbing, neighbors, municipalities, repair contractors, and previous owners.

Service Coverage: Richard is based in the mid-cities area of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex but is willing to travel to locations where foundation problems exist and where it is economically viable.  New service: He will  also provide remote assistance through phone, text, email, photos, and video at a lower fee compared to an in-person visit anywhere in the lower 48 states. He also guarantees that if he can't help...there is no charge. What have you got to lose?

Free Consultation: Richard offers free generic questions and discussions to determine if he can help remotely or in person.

Contact Information: Clients can reach Richard Rash by phone or text at 817-308-8186 or via email at www.thefoundationman@gmail.com. More information about his services, fees, and testimonials can be found on his website. In summary, Richard Rash offers comprehensive foundation repair and drainage solutions, aiming to help homeowners and commercial property owners address foundation movement issues effectively while providing guidance and support throughout the process.

To get a clearer picture of WHAT I DO... and...WHO I AM please watch the following short five minute video made by a respected Texas engineer... who I've never met, but who liked what I do.

If you are still curious keep reading. If you are tired of reading, contact me and let's see if we can't put your mind at ease by getting these problems resolved correctly, in a timely manner and at a reasonable expense.

Call or Text Richard Rash 817-308-8186

Center and end upheaval

Upheaval

Foundation movement


I am happy to notify you that there exist efficient techniques for mitigating the effects of soil shrinkage and soil swelling phenomena in the vicinity of your  property. With my expertise, I can play a crucial role in anticipating, arresting, and reversing the consequential damages, usually without the need for expensive and disruptive employment of piers. Nevertheless, if piers become indispensable, I am ready to offer expert guidance to ensure you acquire only what is necessary: the suitable type, the accurate quantity, and a fair market value.

foundation piers

Four types of piers

Snake oil salesman

Commissioned, untrained foundation pier salesperson.

Many foundation repair companies tend to employ sales personnel who lack expertise in foundations movement, damage, and repair. These individuals are often not adequately trained on the underlying causes of foundation movement, nor are they equipped to discern the root causes or prescribe permanent solutions based on crack patterns or other indicators. Instead, their training typically revolves around the utilization of computerized leveling tools that merely confirm if a structure is out of level, without providing insights into the original pour or construction quality, loss of support, or the more common scenario of uplift caused by expansive soils. Furthermore, they are often uninformed about alternative repair methods that may offer superior outcomes at a more affordable price point.

By engaging my services, you benefit from my ability to impart knowledge and expertise in these areas. I can educate you on the intricacies of foundation movement, help you understand the significance of crack patterns, identify the root causes of issues, and propose permanent remedies. Additionally, I will provide you with insights into competitive repair options that may prove more advantageous in terms of effectiveness and cost.

Building showing distortion


FACT:

Due to widespread MISINFORMATION, foundation damage and repair are among the most misunderstood elements of home ownership.  Area homeowners and owners of small commercial buildings are subjected to many unneeded  repairs and unsuccessful attempted repairs.

 In Plain language: Here are some things I can help with: Determining if you really  have a foundation problem, or is it a drainage issue or maybe a plumbing leak. All of these things cause very similar distress. The main difference is drainage and plumbing leaks do not benefit from piers and the wrong "repairs" can be a disaster

Stopped up pipe


When dealing with foundation damage that requires piers, it can be overwhelming to navigate the numerous types of piers available and determine the most suitable solution for your specific problem. Additionally, understanding the optimal quantity of piers required and determining a reasonable budget can be challenging. This is where my expertise becomes invaluable.

Choosing to work with me is a logical decision, given that my compensation is not tied to the quantity of piers I sell to my customers, because I don't sell repairsInterestingly, I have observed that customers often require fewer piers, or no piers, because I am not incentivized by the number of piers sold. It is remarkable how this shift occurs. Moreover, I can provide comprehensive explanations regarding the extent of work required, its precise location, the underlying reasons for the recommended work, and the appropriate cost range. Furthermore, I can demonstrate how the recommended repairs not only halt the problem but also, in many cases, reverse the existing damage. Your becoming well-informed significantly improves outcomes by making the process more efficient and cost-effective. As an added benefit, I encourage you to share with me, any bids you have or will receive from contractors after I have assessed your property. This enables us to evaluate those proposals over the phone and provide you with an informed perspective. All of this goes for homeowners, Owners of apartments or other light commercial buildings.

Below, piers, the good the bad and the ugly!

Failed foundation piers.

Failed foundation repair.

Steel piers

Galvanized steel piers

Concrete pushed piers

Why use me?

People pay me to help them successfully deal with foundation issues!


My fee is fair and reasonable.

If I help you get the job done right you have made money!


It's a smart move and cheap insurance. I will be your advocate, your, "check and balance"!

                                   IF THE DIAGNOSIS IS WRONG THE FOUNDATION REPAIRS WILL FAIL!

 I  May Have Failed To Mention

"IF I CAN'T HELP YOU, YOU DON'T PAY ME!"

If you would like to get the truth about your property contact me: Richard Rash

Call/text 817-308-8186  Email: thefoundationman@gmail.com 
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