SAN ANTONIO -- Vivian Gregory thought she was doing the smart thing by hiring a foundation repair company that came highly recommended.

But instead, Gregory was left with a big hole in the middle of her home that's cost her thousands of dollars.

"This is the hole actually left behind," Gregory said as she pulled up some plywood between her kitchen and family room. "I'm not sure what he did actually."

Gregory told the Defenders that she consulted two local foundation experts after the hole was never repaired.

"Those two professionals told me no way a pier was put there," Gregory said.

The single mother said that she thought she did the right thing by getting three estimates from foundation repair companies.

She ended up hiring IHI Foundation Repair of Austin because the company was recommended by Service Magic, an Internet company that matches homeowners to quality home service professionals.

"I think he did two here, one here," as Gregory points to areas outside her home.

It appeared work had been done but Gregory has no idea how many piers were actually placed. "I don't have documentation," she said.

Gregory paid $7,000 for 13 piers and after getting second opinions, she has doubts as to what was done and she is still concerned about the hole in her home.

Gregory said that she was in contact with IHI Foundation owner, Christopher Miller, but said she is getting nowhere.

"He is not registered with the city of San Antonio," said Rod Sanchez of City of San Antonio's Development and Business Services.

The Defenders also discovered that IHI Foundation did not pull any permits from the city, there was no evidence that a structural engineer was involved during the project and no city inspection was made after the project -- conditions that are required by the city of San Antonio.

"A host of violations were committed," Sanchez said.

The Defenders contacted Service Magic and discovered that IHI Foundation has been removed from the company listing and is no longer a recommended company.

The Defenders also attempted to reach Miller and have yet to hear back from him.

Gregory still has a hole inside her home and is still waiting for documentation on pier locations and has hired an attorney to help her. Sanchez is also interested.

"We certainly want to look into this and take appropriate action," he said.

In the meantime, the city recommends anyone needing foundation work to call the city at 207-1111 to make sure the company is registered with the city and in compliance with city codes.

Gregory said she wished she had done so.