Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 25, 2008 07:49pm | #1

   What the hell were they doing LIVING in the house when it was on temporary shoring ???

   There's two theories to arguin' with a woman.
   Neither one works. [Will Rodgers]

1. 
   arcflash | Jul 25, 2008 08:43pm | #2

   Holy sh!t. Thats down the road from my dad's house! That contractor is DONE!

2. 
   splintergroupie | Jul 25, 2008 10:59pm | #3

   Friends of mine in San Jose lived in their two-story Victorian for a year while the husband excavated for a basement and the wife tripped down the gangplank in her high heels to go to work for HP. It was on 13 cribs...not exactly rock-solid, but it wasn't going anywhere while he [over]built a block foundation. Another good reason to trust a good DIY job over a "professional". (Let the flaming begin...)

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 25, 2008 11:03pm | #4

   I've said it many times here on BT - Just because someone got away with something for a while doesn't mean it's a good idea. For instance - You could probably drive down the interstate for 10 seconds with your eyes closed. But the fact that you got away with it that long is no guarantee that you can do it for 10 more.
   People are more violently opposed to fur than leather.
   It's easier to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

1. 
   splintergroupie | Jul 25, 2008 11:26pm | #6

   Just because someone got away with something for a while doesn't mean it's a good idea.

   Absolutely. That principle applies to both DIYs and to paid contractors, doesn't it? 

   Or should the DIY be held to a higher standard?

    

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 25, 2008 11:47pm | #7

   Newer story . updated info. http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_072508_news_salem_house_collapse.8d51b008.html I know the contractor.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

2. 
   rasconc | Jul 26, 2008 02:05am | #13

   Maybe I am missing something but it looks like this link and the first one are the same.

   An interesting point is the homeowner says "it is drying out".  Contractor says water turned dirt to mud and it slipped.  Where did water come from?  Scared HO who was worried about "drying out" possibly?

3. 
   bobbys | Jul 26, 2008 10:31am | #22

   that company moved several buildings here in Seaside

3. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 25, 2008 11:13pm | #5

   From the story it sounds that they kept asking the contractor if it was safe for them to be there and he told them it was.
   I only know what is in the story I posted.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

2. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Jul 25, 2008 11:49pm | #8

   Where's the town's building department come in on this?  Don't they have to issue permits for that kind of major alteration?  Don't the permits require complete evacuation of residents during construction?  How about a new CO? 

   I can't imagine a more pressing issue for a building department than keeping a family safe during a permitted structural alteration. 

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 25, 2008 11:55pm | #9

   I am sure it was permitted. Yes they have a responsibility, but they aren't there to care take the contractor. As I said I know this contractor. I think the fact, according to the story , no one from his firm came by to look after the the owner called is a good indication of the problem and where the responsibility might lie.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Jul 26, 2008 12:21am | #10

   I knew a man, many years ago, who had his house raised to add a full floor under the original structure. 

   He was allowed to live in the house, with his wife and three small sons, while the work was on-going.  They even had to climb an extension ladder for a few weeks, to get in and out.

   I thought it was nuts then and I can still find no good reason why a building department doesn't yank the CO on any home which is undergoing large structural changes. 

   What's the purpose of building departments?  Do they just exist to protect property values?

    

   Edited 7/25/2008 5:24 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 26, 2008 01:57am | #11

   No, they exist to see that building codes are followed as prescribed.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Jul 26, 2008 02:04am | #12

   No, they exist to see that building codes are followed as prescribed.

   Codes which are meant to do what?  Protect the public safety or protect the status quo?  It has often looked like the latter, from my point of view.

2. 
   darrel | Jul 26, 2008 04:47pm | #23

   I don't think they care. There's a code on the book and they enforce it. At least around here, that's how it felt last time I got a permit. They were oblivious to building trends, latest research, etc. "The code is the code" seemed to be their mantra. ;o)

2. 
   frammer52 | Jul 26, 2008 02:23am | #14

   Just between us, was he a good contractor?  Email me if you don't want to respond here.

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 26, 2008 02:42am | #15

   His company moved the "Spruce Goose" IIRC, as well as an old Hotel in Phoenix I believe, multistory brick building built at the early part of the 1920's IIRC but this collapse isn't the first negative incident that got his companies name in the paper either.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jul 26, 2008 02:57am | #16

   I had my house raised about 7 feet by a very well-known house mover. We lived in it for a month while I put in a foundation, then we lowered it. The same company has raised them high enough here to do foundation and new first floor. May or may not be a good idea, but they do it all the time.

2. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 26, 2008 03:46am | #17

   Yes, I know that . It isn't uncommon and when done correctly and with over site of ongoing conditions it is safe.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

3. 
   splintergroupie | Jul 26, 2008 04:34am | #18

   I googled "Emmert International":

   http://www.commissionersam.com/node/157

   http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g150792-d736573-r10156854-Hotel_Emmert_International-Mazatlan_Pacific_Coast.html

   comment from "Sopiey" about the hotel is interesting:http://perspectives.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=49777&forum_id=46

   "We have 40 rooms with quicken service with maximum capacity for 5 people."http://www.hotelemmertinternational.com/english/inicio.html

   Pretty damning:http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/279/RipOff0279972.htm

   150 water buffalo?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1jvl8nx6PQ

   Pix of the Spruce Goose move at the bottom of this page:http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/kg_misc_us.htm

    

4. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 26, 2008 10:11am | #21

   This is the Hotel I was thinking of .
   San Antonio , not Phoenix. http://www.thefairmounthotel-sanantonio.com/fairmount-san-antonio-history.php I bought two houses from the company. One they neglected to completely unbolt from the foundation before jacking it up. Plaster walls were destroyed as a result. Having done my homework on the company before buying the houses I was prepared and since our contract allowed me to refuse to buy right up until the homes left their previous lots I did just that. Finally they caved in and I ended up cutting the cost to me just shy of 1/2 of what I was originally going to pay.
   I knew what to expect , others aren't anywhere near so fortunate.
   I don't know what happened with this house collapse but my experience with the company is one that would have me doubting it is the homeowners fault.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

5. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 26, 2008 04:44am | #19

   Madscience just did that.We had several discussion on it.And about 2-3 years ago there was another one.IIRC he was in NC.Don't remember the details, but I think that he was putting a basement in under and addition.There was lots of critizims for this support, but said that it was speced by an engineer..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

6. 
   dovetail97128 | Jul 26, 2008 09:51am | #20

   I thought about Mad scientist but I couldn't remember if they moved in before it was set down or after and didn't want to mention him if I was wrong.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

7. 
   ruffmike | Jul 26, 2008 06:28pm | #24

   I lived in my house for about 6 months while it was on shoring. The guy that lifted it was insured for to allow habitation, not many are.

    The house was actually sturdier on the shores than the original framing.

    Building department had no problem with it. I live in the same town as Mad, a lot of Victorians get picked up here regularly.                            Mike

       Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.