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Do It Right or Do It Twice: A Crawl Space Horror Story from Burns, Tennessee

Introduction

Don't Fall for the Cheapest Option!

IT'S DANGEROUS OUT THERE - YOUR HOME IS RESTING ON QUALITY

I saw something in Burns, Tennessee today that really got under my skin.


As someone who's been fixing crawl spaces for years, I've seen my share of bad work.


But this one?


This is exactly why I'm always telling people to be careful about who they hire.


I've spent six years building my business, earning 225 five-star reviews by doing things right the first time.


When I see work like what I found today, it reminds me why I started my own company in the first place.

(615) 265-0081
  • A basement filled with plastic and pipes.

The Horror I Found

Let me walk you through what I discovered under this house. First off, they used cheap $20 jacks from Home Depot - the kind that aren't meant for permanent support. But it gets worse. These jacks weren't even screwed into the beam. That's like putting a jack under your car but never actually lifting it.


Looking around, I found:

  • Support jacks missing where they should be
  • Eight-foot spans with no support at all
  • Dangerous notching in crucial support beams
  • Makeshift fixes that could fail any time


The one thing they did right? They poured proper footers. That's about the only positive I can point to. At least when I fix this mess, I can use those footers for proper support.


This is what happens when someone hires "Chuck in a truck" - you know, those guys who'll do it cheap and fast, but definitely not right. The previous owners probably thought they were saving money.


Now the new owner (a realtor, by the way) is paying me to tear it all out and do it properly.

  • The ceiling of a basement with a lot of pipes and insulation.

  • A basement with a lot of insulation and a light on the ceiling.

  • A basement with a lot of pipes and columns

  • An empty basement with a wooden ceiling and white walls.

Red Flags to Watch For

Look, you might not be a crawl space expert, but there are some things that should set off alarm bells when you're checking work under your house. Those $20 Home Depot jacks? They stick out like a sore thumb to me. Real crawl space support jacks cost more because they're made for permanent installation, not temporary car repairs.


Here's what proper support looks like:

  • Jacks properly secured to beams
  • Support points every 6-8 feet
  • Clean, professional installation
  • No random notching or makeshift fixes
  • Heavy-duty equipment made for the job

The Real Cost of Cheap Work

Here's the thing about "saving money" on crawl space work - it usually ends up costing way more in the long run.


These homeowners probably paid a couple thousand dollars for this fix.


Now they're paying thousands more to tear it all out and do it right.


But the real cost isn't just money.


Those improperly supported beams? They could be damaging your floor joists right now.


Those amateur notch jobs? They're weakening the very structure that holds up your house.


This isn't the place to cut corners just to save a few bucks.

  • A man is working in a basement under construction.

How to Protect Yourself

First off, do your homework. I'm not saying this to brag, but there's a reason I have 225 five-star reviews. Good contractors aren't afraid to show you their work history. We're proud of it.


Before you hire anyone:

  • Check their reviews (not just the number, but what people say)
  • Ask for references (and actually call them)
  • Make sure you're talking to the owner, not just a salesperson
  • Get a detailed explanation of what they're going to do
  • Be suspicious of any price that seems too good to be true


Remember, if someone's rushing to give you the lowest bid or promising to start tomorrow, that's usually a red flag. Quality work takes proper planning and the right materials.

  • The ceiling of a basement with a lot of pipes and insulation.

  • A basement with a lot of insulation and a light on the ceiling.

  • A basement with a lot of pipes and columns

  • An empty basement with a wooden ceiling and white walls.

The Right Way Forward

Let me tell you how we handle jobs like this. First, we use real support jacks - not the cheap stuff from the home improvement store. Yes, they cost more, but they're designed to actually support your house for the long haul. Every support point gets properly secured, every beam gets proper attention.


When we fix someone else's shortcuts, we:

  • Remove all the inadequate supports
  • Install professional-grade equipment
  • Space supports correctly
  • Secure everything properly
  • Document all our work with photos


I've been doing this long enough to know that reputation matters more than making a quick buck. That's why I inspect every job personally. It's why I give customers my direct number. Your house isn't just another job to me - it's my reputation on the line.

Crawl Logic

Do it Right the First Time

It's not just something I say - it's how I run my business. What I found in Burns today is exactly why I'm so passionate about proper crawl space work.


Sure, you might save a few bucks upfront going with the cheapest bid. But is it worth risking thousands in repairs down the road?


If you're worried about your crawl space or want to make sure work was done right, give me a call. I'll come out personally to take a look. No sales pressure, no commission-based pitches - just honest assessment from someone who cares about doing things right the first time.


And remember, when it comes to your home's foundation, cheap work isn't a bargain - it's a future expense waiting to happen.

(615) 265-0081
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