This $15,000 Crawl Space Job Failed in Less Than a Year
What Every Homeowner Needs to Know Before Hiring a Crawl Space Company
Why big name companies don't always deliver big results
These homeowners just bought their house.
During the inspection, they found high radon levels, so they called us out to handle that.
But when I got into the crawl space, I realized something was wrong.
The previous owners had already paid for a full crawl space encapsulation from one of the biggest companies in the area.
They were probably told their problems were solved for good.
No more moisture issues. No more worries.
Except that's not what happened.
Within a year, the work had failed.
Now these new homeowners are facing a complete redo - paying for the same job twice.
What We Found Under This House
Walking through this crawl space, the problems were obvious. No insulation on the walls or rim joist - just bare foundation. The dehumidifier was installed underneath the vapor barrier, causing water to pool where it shouldn't be.
The wood had been sealed with some type of coating that prevents it from breathing properly. When wood can't breathe, moisture gets trapped and creates the perfect environment for fungal growth. And that's exactly what happened here - fungal growth spreading across the floor joists.
Then there's the smell. That unmistakable cat urine odor filling the space. It's not from cats - it's from the vapor barrier breaking down and releasing chemicals. The dehumidifier sitting down here is so clogged it doesn't even work anymore.
This isn't what quality crawl space work looks like.
The Real Problem With This Installation
Here's what bothers me most about this job - every single shortcut creates a bigger problem down the road.
Sealing the wood might look like a solution, but wood needs to breathe. When you trap moisture inside with a coating, you're actually making things worse. The dehumidifier running underneath the vapor barrier? That's dumping all its condensation into the dirt below, adding moisture instead of removing it.
And that vapor barrier smell isn't going away. Once these reinforced barriers start breaking down, they keep getting worse. The dehumidifier can't help because it's completely clogged and non-functional. There's no evidence anyone ever came back for maintenance or warranty work.
These aren't small mistakes. These are fundamental problems that guarantee failure.
Big Company Doesn't Mean Quality Work
Look, I get it. When you see billboards and hear radio ads, you assume that company must be good. They're everywhere, right? They must know what they're doing.
But marketing budgets don't equal quality installation. I used to work for the parent company that owns this contractor, so I know how they operate. They're focused on volume - getting as many jobs done as quickly as possible.
Quality work takes time. It requires proper materials, correct installation methods, and ongoing support. Our vapor barriers are specifically warrantied against that cat urine smell. Our dehumidifiers are installed correctly and maintained regularly. We don't seal wood - we let it breathe while controlling the moisture around it.
The difference between good work and cheap work shows up fast. And fixing cheap work costs a lot more than doing it right the first time.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Don't make the same mistake these homeowners' sellers made. Before you hire any crawl space company, ask these questions:
What specific vapor barrier will you use and does it have an odor warranty? How will the dehumidifier be installed and maintained? Can you explain why you use those materials instead of cheaper options? What does your warranty actually cover and for how long? Who handles maintenance and how often should it happen?
If a company can't answer these questions clearly, or if they rush through the explanation, that's a red flag. You deserve to understand exactly what you're paying for and why it matters.
Don't Pay Twice for the Same Job
When you choose a crawl space company, you're not just buying materials and labor. You're buying peace of mind that the work will actually solve your problems.
Watch for these red flags: companies that can't explain their materials, rush through inspections, or promise quick fixes without addressing the root cause. Quality work includes proper insulation, correctly installed dehumidifiers, vapor barriers that won't break down, and a real warranty with maintenance support.
The homeowners who bought this house are now facing thousands in additional costs to fix work that should have lasted decades. Don't let that be your story.
Get an honest assessment of your crawl space before problems start - or before you trust the wrong company to fix them. We'll walk you through exactly what needs to be done, why it matters, and how our approach is different.
