AB Contractors

I had the honor of inheriting my family homestead after my great uncle passed away in 2009.  The house was built in 1874 and the last renovation was in 1932 when the indoor plumbing and electricity was installed for a family reunion.  The roof was leaking the house was sinking into the irrigation ditch; but I wanted to restore the historic home and put it on the National Register of Historic Places.  After multiple foundation estimators came out and told me to tear down the house and start over, I found a structural engineer who had been working with AB Contractors and Charlie Black for many years.  They met me at the house on St Patrick's Day 2010, and did not sugar coat the obvious; it was going to be a big project with many unknowns but they could complete the project.  I appreciated their candor and decided to hire both of them.  Charlie Black worked with me regarding the special rules in order to keep the house eligible to go on the historic register.  The house was torn down to studs to make it light enough to repair the foundation.  The foundation of the house was replaced in 2 sections. The ground around the front was excavated and then the house was put on stilts and the foundation was poured in, it was then set down on the new foundation. Around the back of the house was then excavated and the same process began.  After the house was on the new foundation the interior work began. Bringing a house that is 136 years old up to code is a challenge while trying to keep the original feel to the house while adding some modern items, like a washer and dryer. Five months from start to finish and I have a beautiful home.  I have hired Charlie to come back and do some additional work and I still have 5 buildings I would like to restore.  I will be asking Charlie Black from AB Contractors to come back.