We help maintain my parent’s place (a small Ranch property and home), and a small family-owned shopping center, as well as our own residence. Between all that, I work with a lot of contractors. And I have seen and suffered through it all. The worst was a bully Tree-guy, that left early having completed only half the work, but second worst was a roofer that subbed out a metal roof, ending in disaster and $thousands of dollars for re-dos and repairs after the fact. Another really good roofing company came in and fixed it all, thank goodness). But when our residential foundation suddenly cracked, right across the whole house (heaving up from the middle in a “Y” formation), I was very concerned as I read all the terrible reports about “foundation companies.” Most said that they often conjure up expensive repairs where none is needed. Or they do the repair, but don’t actually back the so-called transferable warranty.
This company, Pinnacle Foundation, was referred to us by our insurance inspector with USAA. He had worked with them in the past. While USAA said our claim was not covered (that we would have needed a special additional foundation rider or separate plan, to be covered), he still suggested Pinnacle as one of the ones he trusted more.
I will say that their reviews read MUCH BETTER than most others. So, I requested Chris Wood to come out. Sure enough, he did a complete test and measure using a “$2,000 Level” that draped a wire from across the house to see if and where any discrepancy might show. He also painstakingly walked with me through and around the exterior of the house. He really did find minute cracks that I had not even spotted with my walk around.
But in the end, he said we don’t show any real or serious kinds of foundation shifting or damage that would immediately warrant the kind of repair work they do. He agreed that we likely DO NOT have a fresh water, plumbing leak. But he did agree that we MIGHT have a sewer line or drainage pipe-leak. He said that appears to him to be what might be causing this heaving which was breaking tile from one side or the house to the other, and causing the wood floor slats to separate.
“No charge!” He drove over, took the time, said he’d be happy to be a resource as we try to figure this out with a plumber that does foundation type work. But nothing more for them to do. Gave me some plumbers and said these are great or find any one of my own. They don’t have a dog in the race.
I had read good things about Pinnacle. One of the few foundation companies, that I had. But the weeks and days leading up - - - I was very hesitant and wondered what would transpire. I was relieved to know that they saw what I saw. They did not use little cracks to turn this into an unnecessary recommendation.
I know they have other reps that come out, and it appears that Pinnacle may have a top-down, ethical playbook, with lines they do not cross. VERY glad to have experienced that, and Chris Wood, in particular. Good decent follow. So relieved to have a GOOD CONTACTOR, like Chris, to work with.
We have more to do with the plumbing work to be done, but I would call Chris Wood again and Pinnacle, for our next project or that of our neighbors and family. What a relief.
Thank you, Jeff