Able Piering Foundation Correction

Needed a crack in my foundation evaluated for repair, potentially also needed pierings put into a side of my house to prevent further settling. I spoke with Don after trying to contact him for about a week, and he made similar comments to me that another female reviewer mentioned - told me to discuss a time to meet with "the Mister," and was quite condescending to me. He came to my house, and immediately told me pierings wouldn't fix my problem. He also asked the same questions he had asked over the phone, which I had answered very thoroughly, and treated me like a child. At the end of the visit, he said he would send me a recommendation for a structural engineer later that day, which he then never did. If you are a woman, do not work with this company.

I contacted Don because we had water coming into the basement, and knew we needed to have some landscaping done to help correct the problem. He initially asked me if there was a Mr., which I found to be unprofessional, but overlooked it. He spent a total of maybe 10 minutes at my house, and hardly even looked at my house. He was unwilling even to entertain my wishes for what might be done with the landscaping, and just told me to concrete an entire area of my yard to correct the problem. He did not adequately address any of my concerns or my questions. I was apalled at his unprofessional behavior and elitist attitude, and would not consider using his services or recommending him to anyone.

I couldn't be happier with the work! Don not only met, but exceeded my expectations. My attached garage was sinking and cracks had formed between the house and the garage and in the corners inside the garage. My electric garage door had become temperamental because the garage was out of alignment. Over the course of two days, Don's crew installed the piers, returned my garage to its original position which closed the cracks between the garage and the house. They also sealed the cracks and painted over them with my matching house paint which, I assume, they found inside the garage. As an added courtesy, they lubricated the garage door to ensure that it opened and closed with ease. Don's price and the service included in the price far surpassed the other piering estimate I got. The other contractor was $3,000 higher and promised only to stabilize the garage, not to return it to its original position. I would have had to hire a different contractor to repair the cracks between the house and garage and a third contract to correct the alignment on the garage door.

Installed 5* piers to stabilize a sinking garage. The price is for 4 piers at $1600 each. When work began, Don and the crew?decided the project?needed 5 piers, but he honored his original price quote for 4 piers.

I was impressed with the crew who made sure they thoroughly cleaned the crawl space and the garage area that they used for access when the job was completed, and without being asked to, they "prettied up" some wooden blocks which were forming partitions by river rock areas. By that, I mean they sawed end pieces to angles instead of just cut ends, making them look much more attractive.

Don responded within 24 hrs of my original call to Able Piering. I explained my problem and he came out to my home within 48 hrs. After he inspected the foundation cracks he determined that piering would not be necessary for my home, but that landscaping to achieve better drainage away from the foundation would take care of my problem. He provided an information packet to show precisely how to construct the proper drainage to get water away from the foundation. These landscaping projects are not what Able Piering does, so I was especially appreciative that he did not try to sell me services I didn't need, and that he took the time to explain different options I would have. I have given him top rating for his integrity and professionalism.

He came in and bad mouthed the competition. Was not prepared like the other companies and just took a few minutes to explain the procedure of their work.

During the call, I made it very clear that I was the homeowner, but he asked if there was a "Mr." that could be at my home with me for the initial visit. Based on the other reviews, I knew to expect this, and I made it clear that I have a live in boyfriend, but I did not know if he could be at the visit due to his work schedule. He mentioned several times that he would really like it if the live in boyfriend could be there. The initial visit was on July 17 at 2:00 pm. My live in boyfriend left work to be at my home to make this appointment. The visit lasted approximately 15-20 minutes, with Don saying that he recommended a Ground Zero visit from his team. We agreed, but both wondered why this wasn't suggested on the phone, and would have been able to eliminate the frustration that followed. I asked Don if it was necessary for me to be home during the Ground Zero, or if another family member could fill in. He said that just someone needed to be home, and that he needed to check with his team to see when they would be available for the Ground Zero. I asked him to call me with some available times so I could check with my family (and my own work schedule). I received a voicemail from him on Monday, July 22, stating that he could be available the next day. I was not able to return his call that day, and received another call from him at 7:45 AM on July 23. I returned his call at 1:00 pm on July 23, saying that I was not available to be home that day (Tuesday) and what other times was his team available. He asked me to confirm when someone could be there. I mentioned to him that on Wednesday, July 17, he needed to check availability with his team and let me know so I could confirm that I could have someone home. He asked me to give him a time when someone could be there, and I countered, asking him to let me know when his team could be there. He offered 9:00 AM on Wednesday, July 24, and I accepted. I called him at 9:45 am on Wednesday, July 24, since his team had not arrived at my home. He said that I was supposed to confirm that the time worked for someone to be home, and I let him know that he was mistaken, I had confirmed with him yesterday that 9:00 am would work. He said that it wasn't working out, wished me well, and hung up on me. It is unfortunate that a mis-communication on his part cost him my business, and this review.

Loved working with Don. Initially I was a little leary of his approach because he wanted both my wife and I to be there on his initial visit. This usually translates into high pressure sales, but that wasn't the case with Don. He just wanted to explain to both of us in detail how the process works. It was very educational but also low key. He left us with a quote and we called him about a week later to have the work done. The team came out and got the work done in two days. I could actually stand in my house and watch the cracks in the wall close as they lifted the house. After the piers were in place they filled the dirt back in, replaced the holes with fresh concrete and left with little evidence that they had even been there. Best price out there also.

It went fine.

They worked in cold weather with snow on the ground and finished the job in 3 days. A month later everything looks good. I got estimates as high as $14,500. The Higher the estimates the more flashy the sales techineque and the salesman put their competitors product down. They all use the sane process. I was given a lifetime guarentee.

He told me how to fix my deck over the phone, I did it, and it seems to be working just fine. He saved me $3200. I was very pleased with him. He was very honest. His price seems very reasonable if I were to have him come out. He called me right back. If anything goes wrong with that deck again, he will be the first one I will call.

Don Vaughn, the owner, was immediately responsive to our inquiry, came out promptly to provide an assessment of our needs, and quoted on the spot. This quote was by far the most cost-effective quote we obtained. The house is a 1953 brick ranch built slab on grade. Moisture had been allowed to be near the house for 20 years, and the garage slab had started to move. Upon our purchase we had directed the water away from the foundation, but as the ground below became drier, the garage slab continued to move, deepening and expanding the cracks on the brick exterior. The crew of 3 removed our rock and plastic landscaping/moisture barrier, parts of the concrete driveway, and dug/jackhammered down on the footer several feet. Then they inserted the able pier system, drove it down until firmer ground/bedrock was found, and proceeded to jack back up the corner of the house. They repaired the brick/tuck-pointing, and re-filled the hole, put back the landscaping, and repaved the part of the driveway so you can't even tell anything happened. It was cleaner than before they had started! The crew leader was very polite and communicative, explaining what we should expect. We are amazed at the results, it is like a new house again! A neighbor stopped by during the work and mentioned he had had this company out many years prior to do the same type of work, and remains pleased at the outcome. He said it "was worth it". We agree!

Could not give a complete quote and spoke down to you.

Called for an estimate.Was told he would like to 'meet the misses' on the initial callMy wife was here to greet him and start the estimate. He Cancelled and left.

My experience was very good. They explained everything that they were going to do. I would use them again if needed.

They were awesome. We live in Ohio and we couldn't stay to keep an eye on the job, so he sent out the photos. He sent before and after pictures. He let us know that he organized with an electrician to come in and resolve the wiring problem. He did an amazing job. He is honest, down-to-earth and kind-hearted caring guy. I would highly recommend him to anybody to get the foundation repair work done. This is a 130-year-old house. The foundation was built by a miner by hand. It used to be a mining cabin. He had to do a lot of work. It was a very good and fair price. I didn't shop around because I was so impressed with him, so I didn't get quotes; but he was excellent. It's not easy to find a contractor when one is looking for somebody to work on a property that is out of the state. If one has a rental or home in Colorado and need some work done, and if they are out of state, he is the guy. He did it like a family. He is a sweet guy. He is really a nice guy.

Don was always very informative and professional, as was Sergio. This is not the type of work that you want to have to do, but it was done exactly when and how Don said it would be and I am very pleased with the result.

They did a big deal of job. They are real professionals. I've had them deliver a good job. They did everything I wanted. They leveled out the house and filled in the cracks. They did a very good job.

I live on the side of a hill. My outside retaining wall, the one against the hill was bowing out. This wall is very important because it is the first line of defense against the pressure from the hill. I had cracks in some of my basement walls which were of concern. My outside porch, on the side where the retaining wall is, had fallen two inches. There are actually two concrete pours on that porch and the older of the two fell two inches, separating from the newer pour. I had an independent engineer give me suggestions on what was happening with the house and how it could be corrected. Able Piering came out to look at the situation and read the engineer's report. The owner of the company, Don Vaughn, came to the house. I provided him with the engineering report (from a company I got off of Angie's list). Using the engineering report, Mr. Vaughn gave me his opinion of the way to mitigate the problems in the home. He made me feel very comfortable, listened to my concerns, explained how his company works, gave me an oral bid on the job the company would do and said he would followup with a written contract. I accepted his bid and we met a second time to go over the contract. He also explained that the work would not begin for three weeks. Sure to his word, his crew came out in the third week. They parked their metal pod (for all the tools), off to the side of my driveway, leaving me plenty of room to come in and out and they cleared out the work area. The crew was punctual, very professional and respectful of the home and environs, and made sure I saw the different phases of the job to ensure I was okay with what they were doing. They cleaned up after themselves every day, so the work area was clean at the end of their shifts. This was a BIG job, it took a little over 2 weeks for all the work to be done. They were very thorough, and made sure to do the little things, such as touching up areas they had worked around. They left the work area better than how it was when they came on the job!