Hot take: My 2-hour "quick fix" for a cracked foundation took 14 months total
Last spring I found a hairline crack in my basement wall. I figured I'd patch it with some hydraulic cement and be done in an afternoon. Turned out it was an active leak pushing water every time it rained. I spent 6 months just figuring out if it was structural or not. Then another 8 months dealing with permits, finding a contractor, and waiting for dry weather. By the time the work was actually done, I'd replaced a french drain, regraded the yard, and spent $4,700. Has anyone else had a "simple" home repair snowball into a year long project?