I'm more a belt sander fan myself. but you are right any problem that you create with epoxy glass and wood can be fixed with the same.
I don't think he ever finishes the boats. I did see one in a NCIS just recently that was mostly done, he was painting the name on her transom. I vote house. I was thinking. temporary jack to shore up next to the lolly column. I bet you can gain almost a foot without the house falling down in a big way. :shock: