Being Honest About Our Scope
At Attack A Crack, we’re specialists—not generalists. We do specific things extremely well, but we don’t try to do everything. When your project falls outside our expertise, we’ll tell you honestly and point you toward the right solution.
What We Do
Foundation Repair (CT, MA & New England)
- Wall crack injection and repair
- Bulkhead waterproofing
- Carbon fiber reinforcement
- Foundation crack stabilization
- Sewer, well, and conduit line penetration repair
Concrete Repair & Resurfacing (MA Only)
- Driveway crack repair & resurfacing
- Patio repair & resurfacing
- Pool deck repair & resurfacing
- Walkway repair & resurfacing
- Stair & step repair
- Garage floor repair & resurfacing
What We Don’t Do
Basement Waterproofing Systems
What this includes:
- Interior perimeter drainage systems (French drains)
- Sump pump installation
- Full basement waterproofing
Why we don’t do it: Basement waterproofing is a different specialty requiring different equipment, training, and warranties. While we repair cracks that leak water, comprehensive waterproofing is beyond our scope.
Who to call: Look for dedicated basement waterproofing companies with experience in New England conditions. Check for transferable warranties and ask about their drainage system approach.
Foundation Replacement
What this includes:
- Complete foundation demolition and re-pour
- Lifting house to build new foundation
- Converting crawlspace to full basement
Why we don’t do it: Foundation replacement is major construction requiring specialized equipment, engineering, and permits. It’s typically a $100,000+ project that takes weeks.
Who to call: Contact foundation contractors who specialize in replacement, or structural contractors experienced in house lifting. Get multiple quotes and verify their references for similar projects.
Structural Engineering
What this includes:
- Foundation failure analysis
- Load calculations
- Structural design and specifications
- Signed engineering documents
Why we don’t do it: Structural engineering requires a Professional Engineer (PE) license and carries liability for design decisions. We’re skilled contractors, not engineers.
Who to call: Search for “residential structural engineer” in your area. Many foundation problems don’t require engineering, but if you need permits or have complex issues, an engineer’s report may be necessary.
New Concrete Installation
What this includes:
- Pouring new driveways, patios, sidewalks
- New concrete foundations
- Concrete flatwork
Why we don’t do it: We repair and resurface existing concrete—we don’t pour new. New concrete work requires different equipment, crew specialization, and site preparation.
Who to call: Contact concrete contractors who specialize in residential flatwork. For driveways and patios, look for contractors with experience in your specific project type.
Excavation Work
What this includes:
- Exterior foundation waterproofing
- Foundation drainage installation
- Digging around foundation perimeter
Why we don’t do it: Excavation requires heavy equipment, utility location expertise, and carries risks for landscaping and existing structures. We work from interior spaces.
Who to call: Excavation contractors or foundation waterproofing companies that offer exterior solutions. Ensure they carry proper insurance for this work.
Structural Steel or Major Framing
What this includes:
- Support beam installation
- Load-bearing wall modifications
- Major structural framing repairs
Why we don’t do it: While we install carbon fiber reinforcement and work with foundation cracks, major structural framing is beyond our specialty.
Who to call: General contractors with structural experience, or specialized structural repair contractors. Complex jobs may need an engineer’s direction.
Chimney Foundation Repair
What this includes:
- Chimney base rebuilding
- Chimney separation from house
- Chimney foundation stabilization
Why we don’t do it: Chimney work requires specialized masonry skills and often involves roofing and flashing considerations.
Who to call: Masonry contractors who specialize in chimney repair. Look for CSIA-certified professionals for chimney-specific issues.
Historic Preservation Restoration
What this includes:
- Museum-quality restoration work
- Historically accurate material matching
- Work requiring historic commission approval
Why we don’t do it: While we repair fieldstone and other historic foundations, true preservation restoration requires specialized expertise and documentation.
Who to call: Preservation contractors familiar with your local historic commission requirements. The National Trust for Historic Preservation maintains contractor listings.
Call Us First
Even when a project isn’t in our wheelhouse, call us first. We have no incentive to recommend services we don’t provide — so you can trust our advice.
Waterproofing? Call us first. We’ll assess your situation honestly and only recommend waterproofing if it’s truly needed. Many homeowners spend thousands on waterproofing systems when a crack injection would have solved the problem. If you do need waterproofing, we’ll refer you to someone we trust.
Structural engineering? We can often save you the cost of an engineer’s report by giving our assessment first. After 20+ years of foundation work, we can tell you whether your issue genuinely requires engineering — and if it does, we’ll refer you to a PE we trust.
Excavation? We’ll make sure interior repair isn’t possible first. Interior crack injection is a fraction of the cost of exterior excavation, and in most cases it’s the better solution. If exterior work is truly needed, we’ll tell you.
Assess and advise — We’ll look at your situation and tell you honestly what type of contractor you need.
Identify the real problem — Sometimes what looks like one issue is actually another. We can help clarify what’s actually happening.
Provide referrals — We’ve built relationships with other contractors and can suggest reputable companies for work outside our scope.
Questions About Your Project?
Not sure if we can help? Call us:
Connecticut & Massachusetts: 617-668-1677
We’ll give you an honest answer about whether your project is something we handle—and if not, we’ll point you in the right direction.