Our house had cracks, leaks, and a sinking feeling. We needed a contractor for our foundation and deck, and we needed them fast. What followed was a frustrating quest, a budget showdown, and an unexpected twist that took our initial $46,500 quote all the way to $110,000. This is how we got there.
The Problem: Cracks, Leaks, and a Sinking Feeling
When you see vertical cracks in your basement walls, doors that won’t shut properly, and water damage near the deck—your house is telling you something. For us, these issues weren’t just a homeowner headache. They were a ticking time bomb for future rental liability. We needed to fix the foundation issues before even thinking about rebuilding the deck. Our priority wasn’t just resale value; it was long-term peace of mind for us and our future tenants.
Learn how we discovered our house’s foundation issues in my previous blog post here.
Defining the Scope: Foundation First, Then the Deck
We knew right away: we’re not rebuilding a beautiful new deck on top of a faulty foundation. That would be like putting lipstick on a structural pig. So our contractor had to be qualified for both foundation repair and deck reconstruction, and ideally would handle them as a bundled service. We also wanted all work to be up to code, no shortcuts.
Here were our must-haves:
- Fix foundation first
- Rebuild deck only after the foundation is stabilized
- One contractor, not two separate companies
- Clear communication and transparency
- Loan or financing options available
The Budget Battle: $50K vs. $100K
Ah, the budget. The source of many a lively discussion in our household! My husband, ever the realist (or perhaps the pessimist, depending on the day!), predicted the foundation work alone would clock in at $100,000. My jaw dropped. While I know things are expensive, that number felt astronomical for just the foundation. My internal calculator was screaming: “$100K should cover both the deck and the foundation!”
My personal target, a number I felt was ambitious but achievable, was $50,000 for the entire project – foundation and deck repairs. Little did I know, this number would become a central character in our story.
First Stop: Angi and the Flood of Contractors
My first foray into the contractor hunt was through Angi. Their ads are everywhere, right? So, I diligently posted a project RFP. Describing the problem was a challenge in itself – “vertical cracks,” “windows won’t close,” “leaky deck corner,” plus a few blurry photos. What followed was a mixed bag: some contractors didn’t even bother replying after seeing the pictures.
We did manage to get 3-4 contractors and deck repair companies from Angi to come out. Each sent their field representative to assess and propose a solution.
One memorable proposal involved pouring concrete under our deck to stop it from sinking. It sounded “affordable and fast.” They left, promised a quote, and vanished into thin air.
Another company came, took a look, and honestly, humbly, told us they just couldn’t take on the job. Respect for their honesty!
At that point, we realized—Angi might not be the place for a job this complex.
Osgood Construction: The Bad Proposal Experience
Then came Osgood Construction out of Salem.
They sent someone over quickly, and we were hopeful at first. He came back with five pricing options ranging from $44,500 to $52,000. But when we asked follow-up questions about how they assessed the foundation… he didn’t really answer.
No method, no real explanation, and a vague PDF. That’s a hard pass for us.
The Engineer Who Couldn’t: A Friend’s Referral
Desperate but determined, we reached out to a friend who had hired an engineer for her antique house restoration. This engineer, based in nearby Marblehead, came highly recommended. He was meticulous, spending two hours examining every nook and cranny of our house. His conclusion? He couldn’t take the job. It was “too complicated” and would require “too much time and resources.” He promised to reach out to his network, but ultimately, none of his contacts were willing to take it on either.
We were officially in a state of mild despair.
Going Back to Basics: Google
Giving up on referrals and online marketplaces, we decided to go straight to the source. A simple Google search for “foundation repair near Boston” led us to two major players: Erikson Foundation Solutions and Ram Jack New England.
Right away, the experience felt different. Professionalism radiated from their websites. I called their numbers, and instantly, a real person answered, ready to schedule an appointment. This was a breath of fresh air after our previous experiences.
Erikson Foundation Solutions: Impressive, But Pricey
About two weeks after my initial call, a field representative from Erikson Foundation Solutions arrived. My husband was with them the entire time. They proudly presented their proprietary “helical piers solution,” emphasizing its unique advantages. Their process was thorough: a first inspection to gather information, followed by an internal review with their management team to craft a precise solution.
I truly can’t fault their professionalism or service. They were impressive. Their quote, however, was equally impressive – $80,000 for 11 piers. While we ultimately didn’t choose them due to the high price, I would absolutely consider them again for future, high-stakes projects.
Ram Jack New England: The Chosen One
Next up: Ram Jack New England. Their field person arrived promptly, and immediately, their cautious approach struck us. They wouldn’t even think about giving us a quote without a structural engineer’s drawing and official opinion.
This was the moment our anxiety eased. Finally, a company that prioritized a thorough, expert-backed assessment over a quick transaction.
And to top it off, they also did deck work!
They provided us with a contact for a structural engineer they frequently collaborated with. This was a crucial step. We understood that once the engineer provided Ram Jack with a solution, they could then give us an accurate quote.
This engineer, Jeff, was a busy man, and lived quite a distance from us. Getting him to our house and then receiving his drawing was a project in itself – a four-month saga from initial contact to final blueprint! The structural engineering fee? $2,500. His solution, however, was a pleasant surprise: it only required 6 helical piers, significantly fewer than Erikson’s proposed 11.
Armed with Jeff’s detailed solution, we returned to Ram Jack. Within a week, they presented their proposal. We entered their “consultation process,” where we could pepper them with questions about every line item. Their final quote: $46,500.
Bingo! Not only was the price within my initial (optimistic) budget, but Ram Jack also offered an interest-deferred loan for the first year. All our boxes were checked.
The relief was immense. We had found our contractor.
The Plot Thickens…
So, we chose Ram Jack. The initial quote of $46,500 felt like a victory. But here’s where the story takes a turn… a significant one. Remember that $46,500? Well, it eventually ballooned up to $110,000.
Yes, you read that right. And trust me, I’ll be sharing every detail of that dramatic escalation in a future post.
Finding a qualified, reliable contractor for a complex project like this is an exhausting, intricate dance. But as you can see, perseverance (and a lot of Google searching!) can pay off. Stay tuned for the next chapter of our foundation repair saga!
Lessons Learned from Our Contractor Hunt
- Don’t settle for vague proposals.
- Always require a structural engineer for foundation jobs.
- Referrals are great, but verify expertise.
- Ask contractors how they diagnose the issue.
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true pricing.
- Financing options can be a tiebreaker.
FAQs About Foundation and Deck Repairs
1. Should I fix the deck or the foundation first?
Always fix the foundation first. Building on top of an unstable base is a waste of time and money.
2. How much does foundation repair usually cost?
It varies by region and severity. In our case, quotes ranged from $46,000 to $100,000+.
3. Are helical piers the best solution for sinking foundations?
They’re one of the most reliable solutions for stabilization. Always have an engineer recommend the right number.
4. Is Angi a good place to find contractors?
For smaller jobs, yes. But for complex structural issues, it may be better to go direct.
5. Can I finance a large repair project like this?
Yes! Many companies offer deferred interest loans or partner with lenders.
6. How do I know if a contractor is trustworthy?
Look for transparency, licensed engineering involvement, and clear contracts. If they ghost or give vague answers, move on.
If you found this post helpful, please share it with someone who could benefit!
The Resilient Dollar 
Leave a comment