Alpha Structural, Inc.

Alpha was very good to work with. They did exactly what they said they'd do. I'm in commercial real estate and have worked with a number of contractors professionally ...and would say Alpha is an honest, competent, fair and knowledgeable contractor. I had two contractors come out and look at my cracked foundation (for a unit in the backyard, which had a slab-on-grade foundation). Their price wasn't the cheapest of the contractors I had look at my failing foundation, but they came back out and met with my partner, who's been in construction his whole life, and my partner agreed with their proposed solution as the best way to handle the situation. They got a permit from the City of LA, had engineered plans and got the work done all within 3-4 weeks of me signing their contract, which is fairly quick, given they needed a permit. I'd recommend them and I'd work with them again.

Brad Nestler of Alpha Structural came to our house on time and was very courteous and professional throughout the whole process. He gave us good tips on keeping the foundation sound and also did a thorough check of the foundation. We didn't go with them due to budget issues but would keep them in mind for major repairs.

We had increasing issues with humps in our floors which prevented doors from opening and closing properly. Alpha was able to lower the high spots and raise the low spots from underneath. There was also one place at the exterior kitchen wall where the foundation had broken and twisted due to ground movement. They stabilized and repaired the crack, and poured a partial new foundation in that location. While our house was bolted to the foundation, they upgraded the attachment methods to meet current codes. They did a good job and quickly. They prepared the engineering drawings, pulled the permit with the City, and called for the inspections in a timely fashion. We can now open and close multiple doors fully, including the front door, which we had not been able to do previously.

We have a raised foundation w/crawlspace, and started developing soft floor spots. I was concerned about foundation issues. We contacted Alpha, and a very helpful lady asked some basic questions and scheduled us for an appointment about a week and a half away. They followed up a day ahead to confirm the appointment. The inspector was running early, and contacted me first to see if he could come ~40 minutes ahead of the appointment. Erinn arrived just when he said he would and was very courteous and professional. We explained our problem, and he spent time inside looking for cracks and door issues after inspecting the floors. He then crawled under the house and inspected pretty much everything for a half hour or so. After wrapping up, he sat down with us outside (didn't want to get our home dirty!) and explained the results of his inspection. Everything looked in good shape, actually, and we probably had a different flooring quality issue causing soft spots. He explained the various parts of the foundation and supporting systems, which was helpful. He did show us a picture from his phone of one supporting wall that had a very minor crack, but he said that it didn't require action at this time but he wanted to mention it. He also alerted us to minor termite activity underneath the house which we didn't know about. We were very impressed with his professionalism, courtesy, knowledge, and the fact that he was honest about everything looking good and the crack not requiring repairs. We were also pleasantly stunned when he said we didn't owe him anything for the inspection! We would definitely call back Alpha Structural for any needs in the future.

The inspector was very professional and knew his job well. Would definitely use this company again for future projects.

They were extremely professional and assessed that my problem was not serious and did not need any fixing. I was impressed with their honesty which is so rare today. Thank you!

Dick Sullivan, Structural Assessor, gives direct answers to my questions, along with full explanations. He identifies unsafe conditions. Steve Ferguson, Project Superintendent, informs me what the crew will be doing and when. He tells me what to expect from the City inspector. Steve, himself, inspects the crew's work on the final day. The crew, Efrain and Elias, work steadily and quietly (except for unavoidable drilling) throughout the three days. They neatly store their equipment without damaging the plants in my garden. They are respectful of my property. I like what Dick Sullivan and Steve Ferguson told me about Alpha Structural. For example: - Alpha strictly adheres to code. - Alpha's policy of Company inspections and corrections. The work is inspected by the Project Superintendent on the last day, another employee inspects later on, and the City does an inspection for the permit. - Employee training. -Treatment of employees. I am pleased with all my interaction with Alpha Structural personnel. I am confident that my house is stable.

It went well. He was able to alleviate my concerns and identify what the cause of the issue was so I felt comfortable moving forward with the sale.

Our house had a bedroom addition built in the 1950's with an inadequate (shallow) foundation and it was sinking, causing cracks the walls. Brad Nestler came out to take a look. He was five minutes early and spent over an hour crawling under every part of the house, then took time to go over what he thought we needed. Even drew up a pretty good map on the spot. He then worked with me on a price I could afford. It involved a geographical inspector coming out here first but I was steered in the right direction and guided every step of the way to make it relatively easy to navigate the process. When the work was done, the crew was outstanding. Very professional, arrived every day on time and usually a few minutes early. They kept the site clean at the end of every day and got the job done in the time promised. Brad came back and inspected the work and found a couple of things weren't quite the way he wanted them to be so the crew came back on a Saturday (their day off) to take care of that. I never would have known either way, so that tells me this is an honest company who stands by their work 100% and takes pride in the results. Excellent communication every step of the way. They handled all the permit business and kept the fees minimal. And while it cost a lot of money, their price was competitive and I believe you get what you pay for. So I'm happy with what I got for my money. I wouldn't hesitate to hire Alpha Structural again if the need arises. I would definitely use them if I need a foundation inspection for a future home purchase as well. They are thorough, knowledgeable, professional and do excellent work.

I needed some foundation work done and got a few estimates for the work. Alpha Structural sent over Charlie to assess the situation and work up an estimate for me. Charlie was great - punctual, friendly, very knowledgable and didn't try to oversell me on the work. He sent over the estimate a couple days later. I had a tough time choosing between two great companies. Unfortunately I decided to go with the other company as it came in a little under. Hopefully I am not making a mistake. Neither was the cheapest but I would trust either to do the work. I will definitely keep Alpha Structural in mind for future projects.

Mr. Sullivan prepared and delivered the paperwork in a very timely fashion and was also wonderful to work with in-person. He met us at the property for his inspection, was happy to answer any of our questions and even answered some follow up questions on the phone AND attended a meeting post-inspection to see official drainage plans for the property. We felt much more secure in purchasing the home after having Alpha Structural share their insight and expertise on the drainage and structural plans for the property and plan to work with them on a retaining wall and/or additional drainage work.

pump installed quickly and professionally

I spoke with Mark who was a completely professional. He assessed the property and stated that I did not have any structural foundation issues as I had been nervously considering for at least 2 months. But not only that - he furthermore gave me advice on other issues that I might want to look into - none of which would have economically benefitted him, so I was much thankful to get advice coming from this man who is in the industry and had nothing to gain. He furthermore wrote me an email to his evaluation and suggestions. Very thourough, very helpful and I would use them in a sec if I needed them for any work to be done. Without question.

Met with Mark this morning and I can't thank him enough! So knowledgeable and willing to help. Unfortunately or fortunately, we do not have a foundation problem and he was honest about telling me. With his knowledge he directed me to the appropriate person for the job. I trust what he was telling me and even though from the beginning he knew he wasn't our solution, he still talked me through what we needed. I would highly recommend this company.

The very professional Brad showed up on time and immediately set to review our request. Upon finishing his evaluation Brad patiently explained his findings and recommendations answered all our questions. After explaining what our next step in the process, he explained that we didn't need his services at this point and recommended strapping down because of our impending remodeling project. The foundation in question would be secondary, not a primary. Highly recommend Alpha Structural for professional, honest and courteous service.

They were very prompt in their scheduling of the appointment and were accommodating in finding the best time. The inspector was very informative, went through the whole house and yard describing everything he saw and asking the right questions. Within 24 hours he sent a very thorough report of his findings and recommendations. Would definitely contact them again for any structural needs to my home.

UPDATE: Alpha Structural sent out their Sr. Engineering VP as they said they would and sent me a refund. The senior VP gave straight answers and told me that there is no need to do anything to the foundation right now. I always give companies an opportunity to make things right. Alpha did that. First question the receptionist asked was if I'm selling my house. That was a red flag. After they heard that I'm selling my house they came out and said that I needed 100k worth of work. I told them that is crazy. Then they were able to reduce to about 70k. Obviously, they wanted to take advantage of the fact that I was trying to sell my house. But the inspector also said that there was no urgent need to anything to the foundation, but that at some point it's going to be noticeable. I told several realtors this and they told me to get a second opinion. Thankfully I did. Called Foundation Works. They sent 3 guys out instead of just one, and told me that my foundation is fine. I didn't want to believe that my foundation was fine because Alpha said it wasn't. Foundation Works showed me point by point why it was fine. It was an education, in many ways. Always get second opinions.

Had front door which became stuck and hard to open and shut which suddenly loosened up with winter rain. Observed cracks in paint and plaster in various locations in house. Want to do remodeling but afraid to start if I had foundation issues. Was told how ground undulates with weather conditions and what was normal. Front door needs hinges replaced and be re-hung; cracks were superficial and suggested drywall, plaster repair before repainting; caulking where wall and chimney bricks meet in hallway; landscaping to make sure water drained downhill toward street; said foundation looked fine and was already bolted to house. This was free and Mark's reassurance was greatly appreciated. The company had done foundation repair work five years earlier and I was happy with them then, and still happy now. He made sure I understood what was going on and why it happened.

I didn't use him as the scope was not within their expertise, but I would definitely use them in the event of a future need and have since referenced them to a neighbor that had structural issues.

very well. very imformative adding some information we will need in th e future.

I noticed a small vertical crack in my foundation stem wall. Scheduled appointment, Max came out to evaluate to see if any repairs were necessary. He was very professional and honest, and let me know that it was just very minor soil movement, and if that was the extent of damage in 60 years, was really nothing to worry about.

We are looking for foundation repairs on our home and came across Alpha Structural on Angie's list and thought they sounded good. I called for an inquiry on January 12th and spoke to Camie. On the phone she sounded aloof and rude, but she confirmed our appointment for today, Monday, January 19th. She also indicated Douglas was scheduled to meet us at our home and would call us an hour before our appointment to confirm. Fast forward to today, January 19th- it's noon and no word from Douglas. I call the company and Camie answers, her aloof self again, and asks me my name about 3 times. She barrages me wth questions only to confuse me with another customers. I clarify why I'm calling and she stammers to tell me she would try to "work me in today." I share SHE made my appointment almost a week ago and she mentions there was a misunderstanding, to which I request additional information and she indicates she wrote my appointment down on paper but failed to put it into the system. My family made our appointment with Alpha structural a priority and on this long weekend, canceled plans so we could be home, on their first available appointment. Only to be left high and dry by Alpha Structural. It'a amazing to me that this company has, as it's first point of contact, a person who clearly does not work well under stress, and who cannot keep appointments straight. Not to mention, very unpleasant. What a shame for this company. I would not recommend this company if only for their lack of follow through and lack of professionalism.

It was suggested to us by a flooring contractor that we might want to have the floors in our 1935 era home leveled prior to installation of a new wood floor. We had not noticed the slope in the floor until it was pointed out to us, but thought it might be a good idea to check it out. We contacted Alpha Structural to review the condition and provide us with a cost. They arrived as scheduled, and suggested options that we might consider if we were adequately concerned, but also stated that since the issue was not severe and that the foundation was stable, that it was something to consider only if the floor slope bothered us. I appreciated their honesty and straight forward-ness without any kind of hard sell or dire predictions.

When my wife and I discovered our home, built in 1953, had aged out of Earthquake Insurance eligibility because it hadn't yet been retrofitted, we immediately went about correcting that issue. From the first contact of arranging for an estimate, through scheduling the job, to the work team who did the actual work, and the above and beyond efforts of every single member of their company to make sure the city sign off went through, we can honestly say that Alpha Structural ranks as one of the best companies we've ever worked with. After the Napa Earthquake most retrofit companies were swamped. Alpha Structural was no different. But they handled our bid as if it was THE most important job on their calendar. What was even more impressive was the honest compassion shown by Kyle Tourje (Alpha's Structural Assessor) and Steve Ferguson (our job Supervisor) when I informed them of a standing weekly doctor's appointment I had. Since I needed to be home to supply the crew with power I was now asking them to schedule our job not only around their existing jobs, but around me. They took this in stride like it happened everyday.. Even with their work load and my day restrictions, our job was scheduled in a timely manner. When the bid came through I had several (read: lots) of questions. Kyle answered every one in detail and never made me feel foolish for asking any of them. In fact, he was pleased to share his vast knowledge and did so in layman's terms so I could follow along easily. It was clear early on that Alpha Structural is run on the premise of Customer First. Every appointment made was kept - and on time. Every call was returned. As well as every text and email. Every member of the work crew was professional, polite and eager to answer the myriad of questions I had regarding the minutia of retrofitting. They arrived on time, prepared to work. The job totaled four days. The crew arrived at 7:00am, worked through with only a lunch break as far as I could tell, and when they left for the day, the area around our crawl space entry was so clean, it looked like no one had been there all day. Steve Ferguson, actively checked on the job's progress and Kyle Tourje stopped by as well to see if things were going all right and wanted to know if I had any questions. This type of personal involvement from top members, who had many jobs in the works, including some rather large ones, floored me. But, both Kyle and Steve let me know in words and actions that Alpha Structural doesn't have any 'small' jobs. Each job is big to the family who hires them. So it's big to them as well. When the job was done and the work crew gone, Steve Ferguson stopped by, went under our home with his camera, took pictures of the details of the work performed and though all was good, he wanted it perfect. The crew came back for an hour or so to do a bit more. I was very impressed with this extreme attention to the smallest detail. Now we were ready for the city inspector. But before the city's inspector came, I got a visit from Dick Sullivan, Alpha Structural's surprise inspector. Not even the top echelon of Alpha Structural knows which jobs Dick is going to inspect. He's looking for perfection - and I was pleased, but not surprised when he emerged from under our home saying this job was about as perfect as perfect could get. I wish I had a good story regarding the city inspector who arrived to sign off on the retrofit, but I don't. The inspector had a nasty attitude and refused to go under the house to inspect the retrofit because he didn't want to get his clothes dirty. He was angry with me for not lining the underneath of our home. He was angry because the contractors weren't there. (they are not required to be and in fact usually aren't). He was upset I didn't have a professional grade flashlight for him and he was less then professional or polite. The inspector turned on his heels to leave, never having even looked under the house at all, saying he couldn't inspect the job because it wasn't ready. I immediately called Steve who answered (of course) told him briefly what was happening and gave the phone to the Inspector, who was not professional at all, again. Another appointment for inspection had to be made. This time Steve was not going to allow what had happened to happen again. Though he was swamped with other jobs he and his assistant Aaron.drove to our home and waited the entire time of the 'window' the city gave us. When this same Inspector arrived Steve and Aaron made sure he inspected the retrofit. Of course it was cleared immediately and it was signed off as a job well done. However, now this inspector wanted to come in our house to make sure our smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were up to 2014 code. He had a city document for me to sign. Well, after the way he treated me, there was no way he was welcome in our home. And while I knew our alarms were up to code when installed, I wasn't aware if the 2014 codes had changed. I told him I wouldn't sign the paper until I had checked this out. The inspector was seething made. Just how mad I had yet to discover. A few days later, after making sure our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were up to current code, I signed the paper and Aaron came to our home to pick it up. Saving me a trip. Alpha Structural then faxed everything to this inspector and awaited his sign off. That wait turned into almost 7 weeks of this inspector refusing to log the job into his computer as done. The office staff at Alpha Structural ended up sending this inspector all the paperwork three times. They left calls and emails. Steve went down to his office at the Department of Building and Safety. I've never experienced a company so committed to their customers. Alpha Structural had done everything right and then some. This delay seemed to be a personal issue the Inspector had with me for not allowing him in our home. (His supervisor will be receiving a strongly worded letter from my wife and me). As Christmas loomed and offices were shutting down, Kyle and Steve made our sign off by the city their number one priority. They'd had enough of dealing with this particular Inspector and went directly to the three supervisors above him. Finally, it was one of the Supervisors who looked at the paperwork, saw all was filled out properly, and logged the job as cleared by the city. This was December 24!!!! When Kyle and Steve needed to be on other jobs, when they were looking forward to being with their families, they stayed on the city until our job was finished. Thank you seems very inadequate for amazing efforts of this company on our behalf. The only regret my wife and I have is that Alpha Structural doesn't do the other jobs we have waiting to be performed on our house. If they did, they would be the only company we'd hire.

They ran into several problems that delayed the completion and required additional work on their part but was beyond the scope of initial project. Most was done expeditiously but towards the end. It took a while to finalize the last details.