Questions, answered
The questions we actually get asked on inspections - with real numbers and no hedging.
Most coastal encapsulation projects run about $5,000–$15,000. The variables are square footage, how much drainage the space needs, debris and old barrier removal, structural repairs found along the way, and whether a dehumidifier is included. You get one fixed written price after the free inspection - not an hourly rate that drifts.
Pier work is priced per pier, and the count comes from the engineering - how much of the structure has settled, how deep load-bearing soil sits, and the weight of the house. That's why we won't quote piers over the phone. After the inspection you get a fixed price with the pier count, locations and depth expectations written down.
Yes, and there's no obligation attached. We take moisture and humidity readings, check framing and supports, photograph what we find and leave you a written report with a fixed-price plan. If your home doesn't need work, we tell you that and you keep the report.
Yes - low monthly payment plans are available with approved credit, and applying takes minutes during your inspection appointment. We'll show you the fixed price and the monthly option side by side so you can decide with real numbers.
Usually not. Most policies exclude gradual settlement, earth movement and long-term moisture damage, though sudden events like a plumbing leak under the slab are sometimes covered. Check your policy - and if you're filing, our written report and photo documentation are built to support a claim.
On the coast, most crawl space moisture is airborne, not runoff. Warm humid air enters through the vents and condenses on cooler framing, ductwork and pipes - the same way a cold glass sweats. Add a shallow water table wicking moisture up through the dirt and the space never dries out on its own.
A loose sheet of plastic over dirt slows ground evaporation and nothing else. Full encapsulation seals the floor and runs up the walls and piers, closes the vents, seals penetrations and adds dehumidification - that combination is what actually holds humidity down through a coastal summer.
Almost always, because the smell is microbial growth feeding on damp wood, and up to half the air upstairs is drawn from below. Remove the moisture and the source stops. Where growth is already heavy we clean and treat affected wood before sealing.
On this coast, nearly always. Sealing removes most of the moisture load, but a properly sized unit with a humidistat and drain line holds the space in range in August and after heavy rain. It appears as its own line item on your quote.
One to three days for most homes. Debris removal, drainage work or structural repairs can add a day. You'll have the schedule in writing before we start, and you can stay in the house the whole time.
Hairline vertical cracks in concrete are often shrinkage and cosmetic. Diagonal or stair-step cracking through brick and block, cracks wider than about a quarter inch, cracks that keep growing, and cracks paired with sticking doors or sloping floors point to active settlement. Those get inspected, not patched.
When piers are engineered and installed correctly, yes. Push and helical piers carry the load down to stable strata well below the surface layer that moves - and that work can carry a long-term transferable warranty that follows the house to the next owner.
Push piers use the weight of the structure to drive to load-bearing strata, so they suit heavier homes. Helical piers screw in and generate their own capacity, which makes them right for lighter structures, additions, porches and decks. Soil conditions and the load decide it - that call comes out of the inspection.
Usually undersized framing or long joist spans, plus original wood posts that have rotted or settled into soft dirt. Steel jacks and a supplemental beam restore support and take the deflection out - a one-day fix on many coastal homes.
Often, yes - a controlled lift on piers can recover much of the original elevation and close settlement cracks. How far we can safely go depends on the structure and finishes; we set that expectation in writing before we start rather than promising perfectly level.
St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Marys, Woodbine, Midway and Hinesville in Georgia, plus Amelia Island and Yulee in Florida. We work from Brunswick and St. Simons Island - if you're near the coast in between, call and ask.
No. Our own IICRC-trained crews do every repair, in every town we serve. The person who inspects your home works for the company that stands behind the warranty.
Inspections are usually within the same week, and often sooner on the islands. For emergencies - storm water under the house, a failed support, a sudden drop - we run 24/7 emergency response.
Yes, and it's one of the best calls you can make. You get the same free inspection with a written report, photos and repair pricing - documentation you can take straight into negotiation.
Free inspection · No obligation
We measure, photograph and explain what we find - then give you one fixed written price. No pressure, and no obligation to book anything.
