Testimonials
My name is David Haller and I reside in Cedarhurst, N.Y. My wife and I filed expansion plans to our home with the Town of Hempstead. The plans called for 13 exterior piles with 2 pile caps and 1 interior pile with cap.
Everyone always says to be very careful with the contractors or installers. This project made me very nervous. If the pile installation is not correct or completed in shoddy fashion, the safety of my home and family will always be at risk. The other unknown, is the depth of the piles. A boring test was completed to measure the depth until bedrock is reached. The depth in one spot was 19’. However, that does not mean that the depth for all 13 piles will be the same. Depth could be more than 19’ and therefore additional extension piles will be needed at additional cost beyond the quotation. I met Danny and Silvio and after speaking with them for 5 minutes, I knew these were the right guys. I can read people very well, and I just had a feeling that not only did they know what they were doing, but they would do it right and treat me fairly. I hired High Rise Industries.
I did interview another pile installer. This installer was cheaper in cost (not significantly), but I just had a bad feeling. I found out from other individuals in the neighborhood that used him, that this other installer was low balling the price to get the jobs and had no intention of ever meeting it. But once he started, the price skyrocketed and there was nothing the home owner could do.
My pile installation was not an easy task. We expanded the house 5’ x 20” in the backyard and 5’ x 40’ to the side. There was very little space between my house and the neighbor’s house that we were expanding too. I was amazed by how expertly they drove the bobcat through these tiny spaces. No property of mine or my neighbors was damaged in the endless amount of trips back and forth.
Upon digging, they found all kinds of garbage that was buried as fill by the original builders. The garbage was carefully removed and disposed of in accordance with the law. However, the issue was what else was below the ground that we could not see that could possibly damage the pile upon entry, cause damage to the pile and then I have to purchase another pile at a heavy cost. The piles were put in slowly and if Danny felt any resistance, he pulled back and up to avoid damaging the pile. This shows how much he cared not only about the job, but my pocket as well. Silvio was in the hole making sure of proper placement. Remember, there are 13 different locations. Installing was a slow and tedious process. In the end, very successful, with no damaged piles.
Pile installation was completed with a digital drill attached to the end of a bobcat. Although I cannot explain the process clearly, I believe the digital drill allows for a more precise and accurate depth measure, torque and clarity that the pile is being installed in the correct way. I would suggest contacting Danny or Silvio for a more complete explanation. They answered every question I had, and there were many. I cannot say I understood every answer, but I am okay with that.
Then came the cement and foundation walls followed by filling the base with crushed rock to prevent settling and finally the cement floor. Again getting a cement truck on the property to the needed areas was tricky. Again, High Rise took the most care and making sure the surrounding areas took no damage.
It is important to note that my family was living in the house at the time and in no way did anything impede our living. They took care to avoid or re-route electrical lines to keep us powered.
I also want to point out that High Rise checked under the existing structure to make sure that the existing piles that exist as part of the original construction were in good shape.
This past Monday, Danny inserted a pile with pile cap in my kitchen, under a cement retaining wall to support the steel beam that will be placed flush in the ceiling. This beam will allow us to remove the current kitchen stud wall and make a more open concept. Since we did not want any posts, the pile was needed. This was completed without issue as well.
The house is built on a slab. We needed to jackhammer the floor in various areas to install new sewer waste lines. High Rise took care of the demo and after the pipes were installed, filled the hole with crushed stones under the floor and pipes to prevent settling. They will be back next week to fill the floor with cement suitable for tiling.
Let me give you the bottom line. If need helical piles installed and you want the job done correctly, timely and fairly, you need to use High Rise industries. Danny and Silvio have spent much time at my home during this project. We have become friends. We never had one argument or disagreement. They were always fair and upfront. They are not looking to beat you up. They do not come in and blow up your property and let all hell break loose. Every morning I got a report from them of what the plan was for the day. I was always in the loop. If they encountered a problem, I was always notified and then I was provided with options/ suggestions on how they planned to alleviate the problem. I feel lucky and privileged to have had them here. I will actually miss them when they are done. I wish them the best.
David Haller
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The testimonial has been moved to the Hampton Bays Project page’
