Mr. Foundation

Ottawa Ram Jack Dealer Strives to Double Growth in 2003

by Michele Dawson, The Concrete Network

Patrick Lecours faces his share of challenges as owner of Ottawa-based Mr. Foundation — frigid winters, seasonal layoffs, and competitors biting at his heels. But that hasn't stopped him from gaining ground in his waterproofing and foundation repair business. In fact, now that he's an official Ram Jack dealer, he's aiming to double revenue this year.

Mr. Foundation Inc. performs waterproofing, installs System Platon (a tough, dimpled, high- density, polyethylene Air Gap Membrane proven to solve basement leakage problems), makes structural repairs, installs Ram Jack piers, and provides foundation-engineering services. The company works in the Ottawa, Ontario, Canada market.

Lecours got his start as a general contractor in 1987, specializing in tenant improvements. When that business began to struggle — due to a new tax on goods and services as well as a floundering economy — he decided he needed to focus on something a bit more recession-proof so he went into waterproofing. He then branched out into structural repair.

After spending about a year researching Ram Jack, known for its piering technique, he acquired a dealership last year.

"This brings us up a notch and makes us a leader," said wife Majella, who is now also on the Mr. Foundation business team. After years in the marketing and advertising business, she will be putting those skills to use for Mr. Foundation now that it is a Ram Jack dealer.

Ram Jack, a family-owned foundation repair business, was formed in 1968 in Ada, Oklahoma.

The owners embarked on a research program to develop a repair system that would stand the test of time and one in which an acceptable warranty period could be provided to the building owner. The first patent of the Ram Jack system was issued in 1985. Additional refinements and patents followed over the next 10 years.

The modern system involves piling or piering — the technique of driving steel pipe pilings to remedy failing building foundations and to correct foundation settlement.

Ram Jack's patented lift system is used to recover settlement in homes. High-carbon, steel pilings are driven vertically by 70,000 lbs. of hydraulic power to an average of 22 feet below the home to anchor the structure and prevent future settlement.

A hydraulic pump uses a synchronized lift to raise the affected areas of your home simultaneously to maximum practical recovery.

One of the leading causes of foundation problems in the Ottawa area is the active clay soil. Expansive clays will swell and heave when wet and contract and consolidate when dry. If the foundation system is in the active zone (a shallow foundation), the foundation will move as moisture conditions change in that specific area.

From the ground surface downward, there is a depth over which expansive soils experience a change in moisture conditions as the climate (or seasons) change. This results in the soils shrinking or heaving. This zone is an average of 18 feet deep.

The last couple years have been particularly rough for Ottawa homeowners.

"The droughts have played havoc on our soils and humidity levels, causing settling problems," Lecours said.

In fact, the Meteorological Service of Canada reports that Canadian droughts in 2001 cost the economy billions of dollars. Then last year drought combined at times with floods, freezing, heat, disease and pests made 2002 even worse, surpassing drought conditions from the infamous 1930s dust bowl.

Meanwhile, Lecours said about half the homes in the Ottawa area are 25 to 45 years old — prime candidates for waterproofing or replacement.

He is repairing foundations on newer homes, too.

"Newer development is being built on less than desirable soils," said Lecours.

One of the first signs a homeowner may encounter that signals a foundation problem is water in the basement. Sometimes a real estate agent or a building inspector will spot a warning sign.

"Usually when there are cracks in the basement they'll start pricing," said Lecours. "We get a lot of our work through referrals."

Lecours said it's common for him to repair the foundation of a home and then ultimately fix the foundations of four or five neighbors' homes, too.

Another challenge is the frigid Canadian temperatures.

"In 32-degree and below weather, it's rare that we can keep the business going," he said. "But this year we're swamped. The guys are a little cold, but they're happy to have the hours."

Typically during the winter Lecours is forced to lay off most of his employees. But by the time spring rolls around, his workforce triples to 15 or so.

Now that Mr. Foundation has acquired exclusive Ram Jack rights for all of Ontario, Lecours said the company is gearing up for a major growth spurt. The company is the second oldest foundation repair company in the area and is one of the region's top three, he said.

"We're now ready to take the jump to the next phase," he said. "We're hiring more sales people and more crews. We want to see the company double in revenue this year."

The company is aiming to add two associate Ram Jack dealers to its team.

And Mr. Foundation is marketing aggressively in the Ottawa area, including increasing their quarter-page ad in the yellow pages to a full-page endorsement. They will also be participating in more local home shows.

Says Lecours, "We're seeing huge growth and our goal is to have an even stronger presence."

Mr. Foundation
Patrick Lecours
5460 Canotek Road, Unit 99
Ottawa, Canada
K1J 9G9
Phone: 613.746.7300
Fax: 613.745.4886
Send Mail Now - Click Here
www.mrfoundation.com

Michele Dawson

Michele Dawson writes each week on one of the contractor members of The Concrete Network (www.concretenetwork.com). She has written about the home building industry for several years and was on the public affairs staff of the California Building Industry Association.

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