It’s no secret that the Fox SA Problem Solver delivers results.
When communication broke down between a frustrated homeowner and his foundation repair service, Darian Trotter of Fox SA helped the two sides reach a compromise.
The result in tonight’s Problem Solver report.
Investigative reporter Darian Trotter asked, “How are you feeling?” Jerry Hruby replied, “Better.”
Although he is not bursting with joy, Jerry Hruby is happier with the foundation expert he hired because after almost a year of fighting to have his warranty recognized, he has now been compensated.
“I no longer have a crack in my bedroom,” Hruby said.
When we first met Jerry months ago, he was more than frustrated with the separation that was created where the two sides of his double mobile home were supposed to meet.
Hruby said: “This has been going on for three months now.” Trotter asked: “How do you feel about it?” Hruby replied: “Betrayed.”
Cheated, he says, because he paid this guy you may know: professional hunter, trapper and television personality Buck Medley.
Although he covers spear and bow hunting on Animal Planet, he is the self-proclaimed “go-to guy” in San Antonio, known for his home leveling company, Mobile Masters Inc.
“We have been building mobile homes for over 35 years,” Medley said.
Weeks after the workers completed work on this house, Jerry noticed that his floor was slanting and he was in a difficult position.
The contract provided for revision “if necessary” six months after completion of the original work.
Talks about a redesign were heated, causing repairs to stall for months.
Trotter asked: “Is he calling you back?” Hruby replied: “No.”
Trotter asked: “If he was ready to come back after six months and needed to be adjusted, why didn’t he just get out?”
Medley said, “We’re not like the RV maintenance team.”
When we contacted “Buck” by phone, he explained the delay.
Trotter explained to Jerry, “He says if you had been nice, the problem could have been solved.”
Hruby said, “You’ve seen my arguments and they’re valid arguments. I’m the homeowner and I’m the customer.”
“Buck” also explained that, in his expert opinion, the soil on which the house stands is the problem.
The soil is eroding because, according to Jerry, his house does not have proper drainage to carry rainwater away from the house’s foundation.
“So the water had been coming down there for six months, washing away the floor tiles and causing them to settle even more,” Medley said.
“Buck” and his crew are here today because the Problem Solver negotiated a compromise to repeat the work.
“Thank you all,” Hruby said. “You are the ones who stepped into the breach. You all made it happen.”
Our camera was rolling as workers returned and crawled under the house, Buck says, using some of the best equipment in the industry to get the house back up to the proper elevation.
“Buck” even pointed out problem areas that Jerry needs to address that have nothing to do with re-leveling.
The months of waiting end with a perfectly leveled house and a reasonably satisfied customer.
Trotter said, “Well, at least he came back,” Hruby replied, “Yes, and thanks again to Darian Trotter. You did your job, you stood up for the common man and it feels great.”
“Buck” warns: If the water is not diverted away from the house, the ground will shift and the house will be back on the ground.
He recommends that all mobile home owners have their homes re-leveled every 3 to 5 years.
“But you are still at the mercy of Mother Nature and the soil,” Medley said.
