Rich, first let me apologize for thinking your post was an add. Now about the job itself, can you tell us what you used? On the site I am seeing 20mm reinforced vapor barrier for $495, not sure how big your crawlspace is but the pic looks like you would need 3 rolls of it. That itself is as much as you claim to have spent on the entire project. Add to the the cost for a Dedicated GFCI outlet that would need to be installed, the dehumidifier (do you have one?), the HVAC contractor (for most Crawlspaces) that would need to come out and inspect your unit then all the little items like seam tape that costs $32 for 50 feet and the list goes on. All the little things that DIY homeowners don’t take into account.
Now then you say that your humidity is at 30% in the summer. As someone who has spent all of his adult life in a crawlspace I can tell you that if that number is accurate then you need more. Encapsulations are (should be) advertised as moisture reduction treatments not elimination. To little moisture in your crawlspace is bad for your wood memebers just like to much is harmful. Now wood/moisture content is what is important, not necessary the humidity. A 30% humidity will take your wood moisture content down to around 6%, this number is way to low, healthy wood need to be 10-14%. Drying wood out to much will make it become brittle over time and with all the weight above it dry rott can do serious damage to your home.
You are absolutely correct on one account, for DIY people, encapsulations are not hard work. Very time consuming and attention to details are key for them. As a professional, I will say that the first step in an encapsulation (after inspections) is completely removing all debris, rock and leveling out the ground. That sir is a lot of hard work, there is a difference between what you shown and what a professional does but it does cost more unfortunately.
Q
