Kalin Excavating is beyond incredible and I would give them 100 gold stars if I could!
I plan to add a 400 SF raised concrete patio to the back of the house. I spoke with the Spokane Building Department engineers (in City Hall) and they recommended either replacing (with cast iron) or re-routing my PVC sewer line because of the shallow depth. They didn't think the sewer pipe could handle the load from the concrete. Time to call excavators!
I had the pleasure of meeting with Chris Kalin. He is extremely knowledgeable, articulate, and incredibly polished for a man in his 30s. He has had many years of experience in his family's excavation business and now manages operations.
Chris quickly determined that my existing sewer pipe was likely to tolerate the load, but said that if it did crack or even collapse (the latter is unlikely), he could replace it with a thick-walled HDPE pipe using a trenchless technique. I was concerned about limited future access to my sewer pipe due to hardscape features, but he said they would simply hand-dig down to my sewer line to avoid damage. If it would give me peace of mind, he was more than willing to do the work now. The ballpark estimate was $7-8K. But he emphasized that he didn't think that 'preventative' pipe replacement was necessary.
Chris Kalin chose to prioritize MY best interest over scheduling a $7-8K job. (I was operating with the believe that replacing my sewer pipe was necessary and I would not have been any wiser without the education that he provided.) THIS demonstrates his honesty and integrity.
But this wasn't the end of our meeting! Our conversation continued for another 45-minutes. He educated me about the drainage system for my abandoned septic tank, the history of sewer lines (in the 1800s they were made of wood and he had a sample!), and the details of the trenchless technique. He showed me a sample of the thick-walled HDPE pipe that he could install in the future, if necessary.
He also has concrete experience, so we discussed the challenges that my raised concrete patio poses and the specifics of how to mitigate these challenges. And, he gave me a couple of recommendations. Of all the folks that I have spoken with regarding my project (including the city engineers), he was, by far, the most knowledgeable AND the most willing to provide me with in-depth education.
Chris lived up to the Kalin promise . . . I received an expert who was deeply passionate about his work and delivered top-tier service even when he had nothing to gain in this moment.
I asked for his business card, but he needed to restock his truck. He promised to drive over the following day and deliver one and he kept his word.
I cannot say enough good things about this man. Honestly, he is the kind of person I would welcome as a friend. He is just that awesome.
If I have ANY future sewer needs, I am not bothering with other companies. I want someone whom I can trust. I am only calling Kalin. read more
