Start with conditions, not a product
A crack that opened after a wet season on Charleston's soft ground is telling a different story than one that's been stable for years -- and pluff mud's habit of continuing to compress makes that distinction matter more here than most places.
Build a complete scope
- What was measured, and whether the ground is original or filled marsh
- Whether the structure is historic masonry, a raised pier house, or slab
- Whether the scale of work triggers floodplain elevation requirements
- Whether preservation review applies to anything that becomes visible
- Access on a constrained lot, restoration afterward, and warranty terms
Charleston crack-repair context
Repairing a crack without addressing ongoing settlement in soft Charleston-area ground is a good way to watch the same crack reopen within a season or two.