What Working for Corporate Crawl Space Companies Taught Me About Ethics
Introduction
Unbelievable Corporate Greed Mentality
I REALLY STRUGGLE TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND HOW THEY DO IT
Back in my twenties, I worked for some of the biggest crawl space companies in Nashville.
You know the ones - billboards everywhere, commercials at every gas station.
Their message was simple: sell, sell, sell.
No matter what it takes.
Even if you have to lie to make the sale.
That never sat right with me.
See, I got into this business to help people protect their homes, not to hit sales quotas.
After seeing too many homeowners sold services they didn't need, I knew something had to change.
That's why I started my own company.
The Corporate Sales Playbook
Let me pull back the curtain on how these big companies work. Everything runs on commission. That means salespeople aren't just looking at your crawl space problems - they're looking for anything they can add to the bill.
Here's what typically happens:
- They find one small issue and turn it into a huge problem
- They recommend replacing things that could be fixed
- They push "complete packages" with stuff you don't need
- They use scare tactics about mold or structural issues
I just saw this happen recently. A homeowner called me for a second opinion after a big company tried selling them:
- Full insulation removal (when there was barely any insulation there)
- Complete mold remediation (on perfectly clean wood)
- New dehumidifier (that just needed proper setup)
- New sump pump (that just needed proper wiring)
All this would have cost thousands more than necessary. And sadly, this isn't unusual - it's exactly what they trained us to do in corporate.
A Real-World Example
Let me tell you about a crawl space I just inspected. It had a seven-year-old encapsulation system installed by one of these billboard companies. During their "annual maintenance" visit, they told the homeowner they needed thousands of dollars in repairs.
But here's what I actually found:
- A dehumidifier that just needed to be moved away from ductwork
- A sump pump that was just wired wrong
- Clean wood they claimed had mold
- Missing insulation in areas they wanted to "replace"
This is classic corporate tactics - finding problems that don't exist to make a sale.
Common Corporate Tactics
Fake Mold Claims
They love throwing around the word "mold" because it scares homeowners. But often, what they're pointing to isn't mold at all. Or if there is a small spot, they'll recommend treating the entire crawl space.
Unnecessary Replacements
Why fix something when you can replace it for more money? That's their thinking. I've seen them recommend replacing perfectly good equipment just because it's out of warranty.
Inflated Pricing
The worst part? They charge 30-40% more than local companies like mine. Those billboards aren't cheap - and guess who's paying for them?
Quality vs. Quick Profits
When I look at corporate crawl space work, I usually find the same issues:
- Sloppy encapsulation with wrinkles everywhere
- Vapor barriers installed wrong
- Equipment crammed into tight spaces
- Foundation walls covered completely (making termite inspections impossible)
They're focused on getting to the next job instead of doing this one right.
And remember - they're charging more for this lower quality work.
How I Do Things Differently
After seeing how the big companies operate, I built my business on doing the opposite:
No Commission Pressure
My guys aren't pushing sales quotas. They're focused on one thing - fixing your crawl space problems properly. If something can be repaired instead of replaced, that's what we'll recommend.
Honest Assessments
When I look at your crawl space, you get the truth:
- What actually needs fixing
- What can wait
- What's working fine
- Clear photos of everything
Fair pricing and quality work shouldn't be unique - but in this industry, sometimes it is.
Protecting Yourself
Here's how to avoid getting taken advantage of:
Ask These Questions:
- Can you show me photos of the problems?
- Is this repair urgent or can it wait?
- Can this be fixed instead of replaced?
- Why are you recommending each service?
If they can't give straight answers or try to pressure you, walk away.
Ready for an Honest Assessment?
If you're worried about your crawl space or want a second opinion, I'm happy to take a look.
You'll get straight answers about what's really going on under your house - not a sales pitch.
Give me a call or text for a free inspection. Unless it's a major holiday, I'll get back to you quickly.
Let's make sure you're getting what you actually need, not what someone needs to sell you.
