The results of our woodwork course at The Woodlab at Dartington in Devon
When I first started my blog way back in 2009, a time before blogging was an actual career option, I wanted it to be like a digital magazine. I wanted to share all the exciting products, projects, designers, collections, events and design news that I was discovering on a daily basis. I had no intention of ever sharing my own home upgrades or DIY projects (affiliate).
The majority of successful interior blogs do just this. They take you along with them on their home renovation journey, sharing their tips and advice along the way and teaching you how to do similar. But I’ve never been one for DIY. I didn’t think I had the skill or the ability to make things or even use tools. And this has stopped me from doing any kind of DIY projects at home for years.
Last year though, as I worked on my growth mindset I realised that this is just a story I have been telling myself and if I wanted to, I could learn how to use tools, make things and do DIY. The thought was quite scary though, and whilst I know you can learn everything on YouTube, the thought of learning how to use power tools (affiliate) scared me half to death. No, I needed a course, run by professionals who could teach me in a safe environment and make it fun.
Woodwork Course in Devon
So when a lovely woman came into my coworking space in Totnes and told me about a woodwork course near me, I had to find out more. She told me about The Woodlab in Dartington, a maker-space and wood-hub designed to help reconstitute regional wood-processing chains, and make the domestic timber industry more resilient.
Based in a tractor shed on the edge of the North Wood at Dartington Estate, the Woodlab offers facilities and tools to local makers and woodworkers and has now launched a series of woodwork courses for beginners and those who are more experienced but maybe want to dabble with some new machinery or techniques.
Needless to say, I signed up for a weekend woodwork course immediately. Now, I didn’t think too much about it, I just signed up without really knowing what I was getting myself into. I knew if I started to overthink this I would chicken out…because power tools are scary!
Woodwork for Beginners
When I received the information about the woodwork for beginners course I was a little apprehensive to learn that I would be using a router (affiliate) to create a shelving unit. Firstly, I had no idea what a router was and I had to Google it. And secondly, a shelving unit sounded way more advanced than what I believed I was capable of creating in a weekend.
But I put any negative and critical thoughts out of my mind and vowed to just go along and give it my best shot.
When the day came, I headed off on the 30-minute drive excited and scared at the same time. Upon arrival, I was super happy to discover that there were only three other people on the course and they were all women. This somehow made it feel a lot less scary and more manageable.
The instructor, Sam, instantly made us all feel very welcome and put us at ease. He gave a very thorough introduction to the Woodlab, shared the background, the idea behind it, the vision and mission and helped us to understand why it’s so important that we work with our natural woodland and stop just seeing it as a resource that we can take from over and over again.
Crash Course in Using a Router
In the next segment, Sam introduced us to the router (affiliate). He explained what it can do and showed us how to put one together and use it. It was at this point that he let us loose with the router and allowed us to try it out. Whilst I did feel quite scared having to operate this scary bit of deadly machinery, I also felt very confident that Sam had given us enough information and training to use it safely.
And my god, how proud did I feel afterwards? I didn’t do a bad job either. The line I routed out of the wood was even reasonably straight to my surprise.
Next, Sam showed us the prototype shelving unit he had whipped up earlier and explained that we were all going to make one of these for our own homes. I couldn’t quite fathom how it would be possible in the remaining day and a half that I would be able to create something quite that complex. But I trusted Sam and his expert knowledge and decide to just do whatever he told me to do without hesitation. He clearly believed we could do this, so why shouldn’t we?
Making an Ash Wood Shelving Unit
Sam took us through every process and procedure slowly and step by step. With each new process, he allowed us to set the machinery up and have a trial run to make sure we knew what we were doing and could do it safely. There was never a moment when I felt in danger or that I couldn’t do something and Sam was always on hand for extra guidance if we needed it.
Using Other Tools in the Workshop
Whilst this particular woodwork course was all about using a router, we did get to work with other tools as well because there were other processes that could not be achieved with the router alone. We also had the chance to work with the band saw, the table saw, the oscillating spindle sander and an orbital sander.
A Steep Learning Curve
Given my very limited experience with woodwork and DIY, this woodwork for beginners course was very much out of my comfort zone and a very steep learning curve. There was so much to learn and it really made me chuckle when I saw the professional photos taken by local photographer Lucy Wallace. My face was a picture of focus and concentration as I tried hard to take it all in and operate the machinery safely.
An Empowering Experience
I am so pleased that I signed up for this woodwork course. It has boosted my confidence so much and has left me wondering why it has taken me so long to get on board with woodwork and DIY. Now that I know what I am capable of there are so many simpler and smaller DIY jobs that I feel confident enough to take on around the house.
Overall, this was an amazing weekend. I learnt so much from our wonderful teacher Sam, met some lovely women and came out of the experience with a shelving unit that I am extremely proud of. I haven’t yet put it up at home as I forgot to bring the brackets home with me but once it is up I will update this post with a photograph of it in all its glory.
If you live local to me in the South Hams, I can’t recommend The Woodlab enough. They now have a selection of woodwork courses for adults that you can book online. Whether you want to use a router to make a shelving unit like I did or you’d prefer milling wood to make a serving board or whether you’d rather make a picture frame on the table saw, there is something for everyone.
If you are more experienced in woodwork, there are also regular sessions for those looking to improve their hand tool accuracy, learn new techniques and joints and practice them. There are also tool care sessions where you can learn to sharpen your tools.
If you don’t live near me in the South Hams there are bound to be woodwork courses near you too. Simply search online for “woodwork courses near me” to find one close by. Even if, like me, you are convinced you are not capable of using power tools, step outside your comfort zone and give it a go. You never know what you might end up making.
Have you ever done a woodwork course? Would you consider doing one? If so what would you like to learn and what is holding you back? Let me know in the comments below.
I’ve always been quite curious about the sit stand desk and whether it is actually worth the investment. My job is pretty much fully desk-based and I spend eight hours a day sitting at my desk in my coworking space in Totnes. Whilst I don’t currently have any health problems that have resulted from this, I can definitely feel that as I get older, this is not really ideal and my posture is being affected and I can definitely feel myself getting stiffer.
So when Flexispot reached out to me and asked if I would like to review their EG8 Comhar Sit Stand Desk I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to find out how a standing desk might work for me and whether it would make a difference to how my body feels working at a desk all day.
Are Sit Stand Desks Good for You?
Sit stand desks are great for encouraging us to move more during the working day. We all know that spending too much time sitting down is bad for our physical health, but The Sedentary Behaviour Research Network has also found that too much sitting can also be bad for our mental health. It looked at the relationship between sitting and depression and the research seems to support the idea that excessive sitting is positively correlated with an increase in depression.
So clearly too much sitting is bad for our physical and mental wellbeing. But it gets worse. According to The British Medical Journal, spending large amounts of time sitting or lounging around during the day is linked to around 70,000 deaths per year in the UK and the NHS spends in excess of £0.7bn per year treating the health consequences.
But there is hope. A 2019 study by The British Medical Journal showed that any level of movement decreases the risk of premature death. Therefore medical professionals strongly urge us to get more active during the day and reduce the amount of time that we spend sitting. It doesn’t have to be vigorous exercise either, light intensity physical activity also helps.
As well as taking regular breaks from your desk and maybe going for a little walk every now and again, a sit stand desk is a great way to introduce more movement into your work day.
How do Sit Stand Desks Work?
A sit stand desk is one that allows you to alternate between sitting and standing by lowering or raising the desk top. The way that this is achieved can be either manual or electric. In the case of a manual mechanism, the user would normally crank a handle to adjust the height, whereas an electric desk would move up and down at the touch of a button.
Some electric desks, like the Flexispot EG8 Comhar sit stand desk, have the ability to be programmed with height presets. This allows multiple users to save their preferred height setting in a family environment or a shared workspace. The E8 can be programmed with four different heights but you can also use the controls to regulate the height outside of these presets should you need to. This makes it extremely flexible and very easy to use.
The control panel can be locked at the press of a button which will prevent children and pets from interfering with the desk height.
A really nice functionality is the anti-collision feature which ensures safety by preventing the desktop from being damaged or crushing other objects and devices while in motion. The desk can sense if anything is under it and will not continue to lower if there is a chance that something may get crushed.
What is the Correct Height for a Standing Desk?
The correct height for a standing desk depends entirely on who is using the desk at a given moment. And this is the beauty if the E8 Comhar because it can be raised or lowered to meet the exact requirements if the user.
The EG8 Comhar is designed with the entire family in mind and has a broad adjustment range of 28.3″-47.6″ which makes it perfectly compatible with the height of children.
What is really important is that you set the desk up to meet your own ergonomic needs and to be supportive of good posture. For example, you should ensure that your arms are bent to 90 degrees while you work, with your shoulders relaxed and your back straight.
What are the Benefits of a Sit Stand Desk?
As we’ve seen, sit stand desks can offer many physical and mental health benefits. So let’s take a look at what they are.
Burns Extra Calories
Use of a sit stand desk allows us to burn more calories during the working day. Studies have shown that standing burns about 100-200 calories per hour while sitting burns 60-130 calories. Admittedly this isn’t a huge amount but over time this will add up. If you wanted to increase the number of calories burnt you could always consider doing exercises while you stand such as leg lifts or squats.
Improves Posture
How is your posture if you spend all day at a desk? I can tell you how mine is…terrible. My neck and shoulders are almost always tense and there is a horrible crackling noise in my neck when I turn my head. I had a massage once and the lady said she’d never dealt with such tension before. I think this is down to “text neck” a term used to describe the strain on the spine when we continually look down at our phones, laptops or reading devices.
Using a standing desk can help improve posture and build our core muscle strength. And better posture has been proved to improve our moods, increase our breathing capacity, improve digestion and reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
I’m hoping that in time, by using my new sit stand desk I will be able to reverse some of the damage that I have done to my own posture.
Boosts Mood, Focus and Productivity
Research has shown that standing up helps us to feel healthier and when we feel healthier we tend to be in a better mood. Brain scientists at University College London also conducted studies that showed that when employees were given standing desks at work they showed better performance in their tasks, improved accuracy, and better decision making. They were also more open to creativity.
Improves Circulation
Standing up can be better for our circulation. It is recommended to stand at least two hours every day in order to help increase circulation and blood flow, and reduce the risk of blood clots. So using a sit stand desk is a great way to increase our time spent standing and improve our circulation.
Are Sit Stand Desks Worth it?
If we look at the price tag of a sit stand desk they are usually more expensive than regular sitting desks and more expensive than static standing desks, particularly if they are electric models like the Flexispot EG8 Comhar which is currently on sale for £469.99.
But when we look at the added physical and mental health benefits that can be had from using a sit stand desk, we can quickly see that the payoff is definitely worth it.
In addition to this, the EG8 Comhar has other benefits that make the price worth paying. It has 3 convenient USB charging ports (2x USB Type-A, 1x Type-C) embedded in the desk so that you can quickly and easily charge your electronic devices.
It also has a handy anti-collision function that ensures safety by preventing the desktop from being damaged or crushing other objects and devices while in motion. So for example if you are lowering it, it won’t come down and crush your legs or anything else that may be underneath the desk.
A Sit Stand Desk for Small Spaces
The Flexispot EG8 Comhar is particularly well suited to smaller spaces due to the fact that it takes up minimal floor space despite having a generously sized desktop. The fact that it is also available in white helps as the desk doesn’t take up as much visual space in the room as it would if it was just available in black.
A Sit Stand Desk with Storage
One thing I particularly like about the E8 Comhar is the built-in storage drawer that allows you to keep your belongings close to hand but off the desktop. The drawer isn’t particularly deep which means you can’t cram it full of too much but it is big and deep enough to keep your notepads, pens, and phone inside.
Flexispot E8 Comhar Sit Stand Desk Review
All in all, I was mighty impressed with this product. The build is really good and the materials used to make it are of superior quality. It took about 30 minutes to put together and two of us to construct it and get it in position.
The desk came in two large boxes which were really quite heavy and I struggled to get them up into my office alone. I had to enlist help from my husband as I simply wouldn’t have been able to lift and manoeuvre the boxes on my own. This is definitely something to bear in mind if you are considering purchasing the E8 Comhar for your home office.
I love the look of the desk as it is very minimal and the white version looks very fresh and clean. The legs are particularly sturdy and the tempered glass desktop in white is finished with rounded edges for extra safety, comfort, durability, and elegance.
One drawback I have found is that the glass top is very prone to sticky finger marks and smearing. Therefore it needs to be wiped down and given a polish quite regularly. This is no big deal though and I still prefer the glass desk top over a wooden one purely for aesthetic reasons.
The built-in storage drawer comes in very handy for keeping clutter at bay and ensuring the desktop stays free from chaos. And the USB charging points are a really nice addition.
However, it is taking me a while to get into the habit of actually standing up to work. As I’ve spent most of my working life sitting down at a desk, standing up still doesn’t quite feel natural to me. But I am getting used to it now and I will be trying to increase the amount of time I spend standing in the coming weeks.
But what I have noticed is that on the days that I do remember to spend more time standing, my neck and back definitely feel less tense and my mood is slightly better. Hopefully, these benefits will increase the longer I spend standing.
Overall, I have had a very positive experience with my new sit stand desk and it has been a pleasure to work on. I can’t say yet whether or not it has improved my productivity as I haven’t really been measuring it. But I do find that standing helps with concentration and focus.
I have found it to be really easy to use, and great value for money. Because I haven’t tried any other sit stand desks, I cannot make any comparisons. However, the E8 Comhar is great value for money and really good investment for your home office. I would definitely recommend it if you are on the lookout for a new desk for your own home or office.
If you are looking to purchase, you can take advantage of the FlexiSpot Summer Sale up to 38% OFF from 1st July to 31st July 2022.
Have you got a standing desk or a sit stand desk in your home office? If so how have you found it? How long did it take you to get used to standing up to work? I’d love to know so leave me a comment below and don’t forget to pin this post for later.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
While I’ve been working from home for more than two and a half years, I stubbornly avoided upgrading my office space until this spring. I like to shift where I work throughout the day (even when I am in the office, I don’t enjoy sitting in one spot for eight hours), so I knew that I wasn’t done refreshing my desk after purchasing a laptop stand and new keyboard. I have a comfy three-seater sofa that I like to sink into and write my posts from, but it still didn’t feel quite right. While this is probably not the best decision for my posture, I prefer it over any other spot (I’m currently writing this article from my couch). However, a few months ago, I realized my throw pillows weren’t cutting it as lap desks, so I went on Amazon in search of a new mobile workstation.
I stumbled upon the LapGear Home Office Lap Desk, which had the most reviews out of any other lap desk I found on Amazon. I liked that it had a dual-bolster cushion, meaning that the desk doesn’t cover your entire lap, ensuring you don’t overheat. Another key feature for me is the black plastic guard at the front of the lap desk that keeps the lap desk from sliding down while typing. Boasting more than 38,000 reviews and a 4.7-star rating, I decided to give it a try.
I ordered the White Marble, but it also comes in five other colors: Black Carbon, Blush Pink, Espresso Woodgrain, Oak Woodgrain, and Silver Carbon. I immediately put the lap desk to use. My laptop is only 13″, so I have several inches of room around the sides and back of the laptop, and the specs say it can fit an up to 15″ laptop. The plastic top of the desk is not slick, which was something I was concerned about — my laptop stays in the spot that I put it in. If I want to shift it, I have to physically push it with my hand. The little plastic bar keeps my laptop from sliding into my lap when my lap desk is at an angle.
It also boasts some cool features, including a little holder for your phone. I wasn’t particularly impressed by this add-on when I bought it, but it’s an easy way to keep my phone within my eyesight without having to reach over and check notifications. The lap desk also has a spacious, built-in mouse pad that I use when I occasionally need a break from my track pad.
Overall, the lap desk has made my WFH days so much more comfortable. I can stretch out my legs across the coffee table or curl up and have the lap desk easily balance on my right thigh. And if you have a couch, you can put the desk on the left or right arm and use it a makeshift tray table — freeing up your lap. I’ve used this on the warmest days of the year and don’t feel overheated — it protects me from the heat emanating from my computer and doesn’t absorb the heat from my body. I’ve never sweated on this lap desk, which I feel like is enough reason to buy it alone.
At just under $40, it’s honestly worth the investment. I use it 5-6 days a week and it seems virtually indestructible (my roommate’s cat has tried to get her claws into the track pad and enjoys sitting on the lap desk to try to convince me to take a break to play or pet her).
Alicia Kort is the Senior Commerce Editor at Apartment Therapy. She enjoys writing about cool finds and all things organizational. She’s based in Brooklyn and is from the suburbs of Chicago.
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
I’ve always been skeptical of higher-end vacuums — partially because my parents have bought the expensive, trendy models, only to have them break within a matter of months. My mom is convinced we’re cursed, and honestly, I believe her. Because of my family’s history with vacuums, I’ve never spent more than $40 on one in case it disappoints me and breaks. But when I got the opportunity to try LG’s CordZero All in One Auto-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum, which ranked on AT’s list of best vacuums for pet hair, I couldn’t say no.
The LG CordZero boasts a sleek design, powerful suction, and an auto-emptying dock that charges the batteries at the same time (the first stick vac of its kind!). Best of all, it leaves behind zero dust and worry. That’s not all either — this vacuum easily converts into a handheld vac, comes with plenty of cleaning tools and transforms into a mop with the included power mop attachment. The vacuum motor has a 10-year warranty and the parts have a 1-year warranty for your peace of mind, too. That all just sounded too good to be true to me, so I had to try it!
I live in an apartment with a slight bug problem and a cute but shedding cat. My cheap stick vacuum couldn’t handle Pepper’s hair — or food crumbs for that matter, so I unboxed the LG CordZero as soon as it arrived. Although this vacuum looked intimidating with its charging stand, it only took me, a person who once built her IKEA dresser drawers inside out, a matter of minutes to assemble it. I just had to slide a stabilizing platform underneath the charging stand, slot the two pieces of the vacuum together and put in the battery. It was sweat- and stress-free. Upon agreeing to try this, I was a little afraid it was going to take up too much room in my small-space apartment, but I was able to slide it right in next to my desk. It’s only 10.1″ wide and 11.7″ deep, making it easy to put in a corner (or even a large closet). The beige is actually my exact wall color so it blends in perfectly with my decor.
I plugged in the charging stand and let the vacuum charge for about an hour before testing it. When I lifted the CordZero out of the charger, I was surprised at how lightweight it was. Weighing in at 5.5 lbs., it only felt a little heavier than the stick vacuums I had used in the past. I turned it on “normal” mode to test the suction and noticed the vac, which makes only 84dB of noise, was much quieter than other versions I had used — the cat did not run scampering per usual but was curious enough to approach what was removing her fur from surfaces.
This LG model easily slides underneath my couch and coffee table without banging up against anything. It had no problem tackling the tile and wood floor in my apartment either. After I was done vacuuming, I put the vacuum on top of a blanketed ottoman that the cat usually sleeps on and tried vacuuming it. Months of fur build-up disappeared in two swipes with this vacuum. It was basically magic.
The CordZero has Kompressor technology, which compacts all of the dust and debris that you’re sucking up from surfaces. I was appalled by how much had been collected — it seemed like my floors were finally clean for the first time in months. Sometimes after vacuuming, my roommate and I will feel bits of debris on the floor, but that was not the case with this high-tech vacuum. The floors were spotless, and if I didn’t believe it, the LG CordZero has an app that tells you about the cleanliness of your floors and gives you a report on how your vac is running.
I put the vacuum back in the charger and within seconds it began auto-emptying into the concealed trash bin. The emptying feature is louder than the actual vacuuming and lasted for about 30 seconds, but the specs say that it can last up to 45 seconds. The canister and the head of the vac were cleaned out entirely — I had noticed some debris stuck in the head, but that disappeared. I keep the stand set to auto-empty, but you can turn that feature off. After vacuuming, I gave the mop a whirl. The spinning microfiber pads were able to get out stubborn stains and make mopping a quick task (and less of a chore), much like the vacuuming.
Because the CordZero has several different modes (Normal, Power and Turbo), the battery charge time can vary. In stick mode, here are the run-times: Normal (80 minutes), Power (40 minutes) and Turbo (12 minutes). When it’s transformed into a handheld vacuum, it lasts: Normal (120 minutes), Power (60 minutes) and Turbo (14 minutes). If you keep the stand plugged in (it has an auto-shut off after the vacuum is charged), you won’t ever come home to a dead vacuum.
Although this vacuum may be pricey, it comes with all you could possibly ever want. You get a Crevice Tool, a Power Mini Nozzle, a Combination tool, and an interchangeable mop head with microfiber cleaning cloths. The tools can be nestled into the stand, so they don’t take up any space or become eyesores. The mop head can sit on a latch on the side of the stand, though I personally keep the mop head underneath a cabinet with other cleaning supplies.
Overall, I was surprisingly impressed by this vacuum. I expected it to not live up to the expectations (or price tag) after hearing of friends’ $500 vacuums not fitting the bill. Cleaning is my most dreaded activity, but the LG CordZero makes it as stress-free as possible. And because it tackles every spec of debris, I feel that it’s actually making my floors spotless whereas before I was just pushing the dirt and fur around. I agree with AT’s assessment that this vacuum is the best investment for pet hair.
Plus, as part of LG’s Memorial Day deals (which last until June 30), you’ll receive three free additional bags that normally retail for $19.
Alicia Kort is the Senior Commerce Editor at Apartment Therapy. She enjoys writing about cool finds and all things organizational. She’s based in Brooklyn and is from the suburbs of Chicago.
Atlanta is known for its humid climate and dramatic shifts in weather. Unfortunately, this climate presents various issues for both crawl space and concrete slab foundations. Rainy weather may cause the region’s red clay soil to expand and contract, causing cracking and shifting in your home’s foundation. Good, clean gutters also play a major role in your foundation’s structural integrity.
If you notice musty odors, wet basements, wood discoloration or leaning chimneys, a damaged foundation could be to blame. We have created this guide to point you toward the top foundation repair contractors in the Atlanta area, detailing their services and costs, as well as provide examples of reviews from customers.
Today’s Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions. The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.
Since 1933, Olshan has provided foundation repair services across the southeastern United States. Each of Olshan’s branches focus on the root causes of foundation issues in their service areas, such as the red clay soil found throughout Atlanta. The company also provides one of the largest selection of service options with easy financing for both homeowners and business owners.
Cost and Financing Options
Olshan states that its foundation services on average range between $3,000 and $7,500. We calculated that a repair for 10 feet worth of a basement for an Atlanta house with two doors would be $9,713.
Given that foundation repair is costly, Olshan works with customers to create payment plans that feature no payments and no interest for 12 months. Customers can receive rates as low as 0% and payments as low as $125 per month, subject to credit approval.
Customer Reviews
Olshan fixed [my parents’] problem and solved their occasional water seeping from the back wall. Once Olshan showed up, it was resolved and never had this happen ever again.
– Suzie C. ON Google Reviews
2. Ram Jack
Ram Jack has offered foundation repair solutions to residential and commercial customers since 1975. Its Marietta, Georgia, location serves clients throughout Atlanta. If you are primarily concerned about piling services, we recommend Ram Jack with its wide variety of piling options including eco-friendly driven piles.
Cost and Financing Options
Ram Jack states that the average cost for pier-and-beam repairs runs from $1,000 to $3,000 for piers that are six to eight feet apart. Piers that focus on a single corner can cost between $3,500 and $5,000. Keep in mind that your price can vary greatly depending on the extent of foundation damage and the services required for a repair.
Ram Jack offers excellent financing options for this costly process. Read about the company’s financing options here:
Same-As-Cash Option: Through EnerBank USA, Ram Jack provides loans with approved credit with a repayment window ranging from 24 to 132 months. If paid within a year, interest can be waived. This option has no interest and no payments for the first 12 months.
Reduced-Interest Loan Option: Also through EnerBank USA, Ram Jack offers a five-year reduced interest loan. This loan has 6.99% APR, and its repayment window ranges from 60 to 120 months. Be aware that repayment begins 30 days after the loan closes.
Customer Reviews
They came out and gave us an estimate, as well as an ETA, which shifted slightly due to COVID-19, then they arrived, did exactly what they told us they were going to do, got our columns lifted back up, cleaned up the entire site better than it looked before they came even! Fantastic company to do business with!
– Tommy P. ON Google Reviews
3. Engineered Solutions of Georgia
If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, we recommend Engineered Solutions of Georgia. The company was founded in 2006, but it holds over 150 years of experience for foundation problems across Fulton and Cobb County. In addition to industry-standard foundation repair services, Engineered Solutions of Georgia offers services specifically tailored to real estate, such as working with a home inspection report for specific structural or waterproofing problems.
Cost and Financing Options
You should expect to pay anywhere between $4,000 and $5,000, depending on the severity of your foundation issues.
Engineered Solutions of Georgia does offer financing options on its services. Read over these options here:
Same-As-Cash Option: Engineered Solutions of Georgia also uses EnerBank USA to provide loans with approved credit. Similar to Ram Jack, this option has a repayment window ranging between 24 to 132 months. This option has no interest and no payments for the first 12 months. If paid within a year, interest is waived.
Reduced Interest Loan Option: Engineered Solutions offers a five-year reduced interest loan. This loan has 6.99% APR, and its repayment window ranges from 60 to 120 months. Payment occurs 30 days after the loan closes.
Customer Reviews
Prompt, courteous, and friendly. Excellent work waterproofing our basement and installing a dehumidifier to gravity drainage outside. Answered after our texts and questions.
– Jennifer H. ON Google Reviews
4. AquaGuard Foundation Solutions
AquaGuard Foundation Solutions is a great provider to combat Atlanta’s rainy seasons. The company employs more than 150 trained experts across Atlanta and North Georgia to deliver a comprehensive selection of foundation repair services. It also offers gutter services, including gutter guards and downspout extensions.
Cost and Financing Options
AquaGuard’s services will likely cost from $4,000 to $5,000. AquaGuard accepts payments in the form of cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or AquaGuard Financing.
AquaGuard’s financing specialist will connect you with a third-party financing service that works to avoid dipping into your savings or your home’s equity.
Customer Reviews
I discovered a crack in my slab and called AquaGuard. The inspector came out, and we talked about everything and came up with a plan. He was very professional and answered all my questions. The day of the repair [the technicians] came out with all the equipment and got to work. They both did an excellent job and cleaned up as well.
– Tammy P. on Google Reviews
5. Crawlspaces and More
As the name suggests, Crawlspaces and More is a great foundation repair contractor if your home has a crawl space foundation. The company is located in the heart of Atlanta off Piedmont Drive, and it offers foundation services focused on crawl space foundations. It also focuses on waterproofing services and mold remediation.
Cost and Financing Options
You should expect their services to cost around the average for foundation repair in Atlanta, $4,000–$5,000.
Crawlspaces and More works with Hearth to create custom financing options for its customers. You enter some brief information on Hearth’s website to generate a tailored loan and payment plan.
Customer Reviews
These guys do a fantastic job! They transformed my 1960 basement / crawlspace into something clean and useable again. I have passed on this company’s name to all friends and family letting them know how pleased we are with the finished results.
– Douglas ON Google Reviews
Final Thoughts
We recommend you look into Olshan for the most comprehensive and reliable service in the area. If financing is a major concern for you, we suggest you check out Ram Jack’s offerings. For more specific needs, like real estate transactions and gutters, we recommend Engineered Solutions of Georgia and Aquaguard Foundation Solutions. Crawl space owners can benefit from repair and preventative services from Crawlspaces and More.
We encourage you to get quote information from multiple providers before deciding which company is right for your foundation repair job.
Compare Top Foundation Repair Companies in Atlanta
Company
Olshan
Ram Jack
Engineered Solutions of Georgia
AquaGuard Foundation Solutions
Crawlspaces and More
Best for
Overall
Pile Systems
Real Estate Services
Gutters
Crawl Spaces
BBB Rating
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
Average Cost
$3,000-$7,500
$1,000-$5,000
$4,000-$5,000 (Atlanta Average)
$4,000-$5,000 (Atlanta Average)
$4,000-$5,000 (Atlanta Average)
Lifetime Warranty?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Average Cost of Foundation Repair in Atlanta
A wide variety of factors will have an impact on the overall cost of a foundation repair job in Atlanta. The average cost of foundation repair in Atlanta tends to range between $4,000 and $5,000.
Keep in mind that the severity of the damage, the need for slabjacking, the need for additional materials or services and the resale value influence your overall cost. Read over the average costs of popular foundation repair services in Atlanta below:
Pier-and-Beam Services: $4,000–$6,500
Basement Waterproofing: $2,500–$7,000
Concrete Crack Filling: $220–$700
Slope/Concrete Stabilization: $3,500–$11,500
Signs of Foundation Problems
There are typically noticable signs of foundation issues. Here are some of the most common:
Exterior Cracks: These cracks are typically large and have a zigzag pattern. Sometimes they are referred to as “staircase cracks” as they resemble the outline of a staircase. This is especially common on brick-and-mortar exteriors.
Interior Sheetrock Cracks: If you notice large cracks on your drywall that line almost the entire wall, zigzag, or cause wallpaper to fall off, then you are most likely having an issue with the foundation below.
Sloping Floors: Another sign of foundation issues are uneven floors that slope to one side. Doors that are out of square also indicate a problem with the foundation beneath. Pay attention if the gradient of your floor is more than one or two inches every 15 feet.
Bouncing Floors: If you notice that your floors are bouncy, then it is a sign that you might have rotten wood in your home’s foundation.
Door Frame/Window Frame Separation From Brick: This is a severe sign that you are experiencing foundation issues. If you notice a door frame or window frame being separate from brick, seek immediate help.
Foundation Services You May Need in Atlanta
Atlanta homes feature basement, crawl space, and other wall foundations. These foundations mainly experience problems due to lateral pressure and wet conditions. Learn some of the major causes for foundation issues in Atlanta below:
Settling Foundation: This is one of the most common foundation issues in Atlanta, and it is caused by bad drainage, natural ground movement and sinking. Cracks in brickwork, displaced doorways and windows and uneven floors are all common signs that a foundation is settling. The most common solution to a settling foundation is using helical piers to underpin and lift the foundation.
Wet Weather Patterns: Atlanta is often rainy and humid. When soil is saturated, it becomes soft and begins to expand. This leads to foundation shifting, as well as basement leaks. In addition to using piers and beams, waterproofing services may be required due to this problem causing mold and mildew.
Improper Excavation: Sometimes during construction areas subjected to settlement are not accounted for. This means that the foundation was built on ground that was not properly set for long-term stability. This causes different parts of a house to settle at different rates causing cracks with uneven walls and floors.
Foundation Repair Terminology
Foundation repair is a complicated field that features many different terms and ideas you may not be familiar with from day-to-day home maintenance. Below are some major terms you will come across as you research foundation repair companies that you need to know.
Channel Drains: This is a specific type of floor drain that contains a channel-shaped body. It is used for the rapid evacuation of surface water to a utility line.
Downspout Extensions: These are extensions installed on your gutters. They allow rainwater to be moved further away from your home’s foundation.
Footing Drains: This refers to a pipe that is installed around the perimeter of the foundation walls on level with the footing. The pipe collects water that would have leaked through the top of the footing into the basement. It then drains it away from the foundation walls.
Interior Water Discharge Solutions: This refers to whenever a foundation repair company creates a solution or system to deal with water in your foundation. Some popular solutions include sump pumps and flooring drain installations.
Mudjacking: This refers to when concrete is raised by pumping mud or other material under it through drilled holes
Pilings: These are heavy stakes or posts installed to support the foundations of a superstructure. Piers are a type of piling.
Sump Pump: A sump pump is a device installed in a home’s crawl space or basement to collect water. They are also designed and installed to redirect the water to an exterior drainage system.
Surface Drain Installation: This service has a foundation repair company install a drain in your crawl space or basement that funnel any leaks into an exterior drainage system.
Surface Glue Down: This refers to when a company uses an adhesive sealant that stops excess moisture from getting inside your home’s basement or crawl space.
Underpinning: This term refers to when a solid foundation is laid to support or strengthen a home’s foundation. Piers are typically used during underpinning.
Foundation Repair in Atlanta FAQ
Can a house collapse from foundation issues?
Yes. Over time a house may collapse from serious foundation problems. Basement walls cracking and bowing inwards are a sign that walls may collapse.
How do I sell my house with foundation problems?
If you are attempting to sell a home with known foundation problems, you will have to get a structural engineer to compile a report that will be shared with the buyer during the closing period. Any known foundation issues must be disclosed to the buyer in writing.
Will homeowners insurance cover foundation problems?
Foundation repairs may be covered through a homeowner’s insurance policy if the policy states it. Read your policy carefully to find out your options.
How We Chose the Top Foundation Repair Companies
Today’s Homeowner works to provide our readers with well-researched, unbiased reviews. We have created a detailed research process that uses a weighted scoring system to objectively rate each company we review. We also believe in being transparent about our process and scoring in order to back-up our conclusions. Our rating system for foundation repair is based on a 100-point scale based on the following factors:
Service Options (48): Does the company offer a comprehensive selection of foundation solutions, including waterproofing, concrete lifting, slope stabilization, leaning chimney repairs, and more?
Payment Options (10): What financing options does the company provide for its customers? Can customers receive financing options such as same-as-cash and a reduced-interest rate?
Trustworthiness (10): Has the company garnered a solid reputation for its services? What rating does the company have on the Better Business Bureau? Does it feature an accreditation on the Better Business Bureau?
Warranty Options (20): Does the company provide a substantial warranty on its services? Does it offer a lifetime warranty or only exterior and interior underpin warranties?
Additional benefits (12): What additional benefits can customers receive from the company, including commercial services, online blogs, online videos, an online booking process, and eco-friendly options?
