in buffalo ny: if you can accomplish the work for less within local
permit requirements and inspections and to the mortgage terms you
signed, you would be wise to first spend the excess on an
architect/engineer.
this wall probably involves a major foundation installation below the
frost line, and don't be surprised when hidden extra costs underground
appear during the job to absorb every last dollar and then some. if you
can let the architect handle the entire job these will all be his
headaches and he might even give you some landscaping ideas.
if a swimming pool or deck or garden is somewhere in your dreams, get
it all designed at once.
don't be discouraged, this is an opportunity to step back look at the
big future picture.


wrote:
Hi everybody,

About a month and half ago we had ALOT of rain here in Evansville
Indiana and a retaining wall in my back yard succomb to all of the
pressure and collapsed. The wall was about 8 feet tall and 60 feet
wide. We just bought the house in April and we were told that the wall
had been there about 20 years, and it was quite evident (from lack of
pea gravel and drainage) that it was not very stable. I have State
Farm insurance and they have been SUPER cool, they asked for 2
estimates and we gave them three...they were like 9k 10k and
10.5k...well state farm sent a check for 10,500 (after 500 deductible).
So we finally got the check today after sending in the estimates
last week and have since received another estimate for $7,500. The
check is made out to my wife and I AND 5/3 bank and/or assigns
"landspaceplace1, or 2". I was wondering what involvement a mortgage
lender usually has in these matters. Do they set up some kind of
escrow account until the job is finished? Will they have to be the
final say in the quality of the wall? I am going to the bank in the
morning, but I work 3rd shift and figured I might get a few responses
here before I go in to let me know what to expect. Assuming we go with
the 7,500 estimate, will the remaining 3,000 go to the bank or back to
the insurance, or will we get to keep it?

Thanks for any help!

Andy Stocker