We specialize in structural repair work, including foundation replacement, drainage systems, basement digouts, earthquake retrofitting, retaining walls, and more. Explore our services page for details.
We serve homeowners in Alameda, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, Orinda, and Piedmont, CA.
For over 41 years, I’ve had the privilege of working, learning, and growing alongside the neighborhoods of Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland, and beyond. This isn’t just a business to me—it’s a lifelong commitment to providing quality craftsmanship and personalized care for every home we touch.
From your foundation to your drainage systems, I bring decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of what makes Bay Area homes unique. I take pride in offering solutions that aren’t just effective but built to last, tailored specifically to your home and family’s needs. With an A+ BBB rating and countless heartfelt customer reviews, the results speak for themselves. When you choose Jim Gardner Construction, you’re not just hiring a contractor—you’re partnering with someone who cares as much about your home as you do.
Proper drainage prevents water from damaging your home both internally and externally.
Without proper drainage, your home is at risk of settling, leading to foundation deterioration and interior damage. In the Bay Area, a significant number of homes are built on sloped properties, and there is substantial subterranean water which can be exaggerated by underground creeks, streams, water directed from utility piping, trees, and any other penetrations in the ground that can channel water to your home. This issue is heightened in sloped homes but can impact level properties as well.
In either scenario, homes can be affected by rising water tables that occur through the course of a rainy season. Various factors, including atmospheric rivers, large-scale rain events, adjacent property work, utility projects, and your property’s location in relation to others, influence your drainage needs. The direction of rain events, whether from the north or south, also plays a role.
Most older homes either have no French Drains or they have older, clogged up clay systems that don’t work, causing flooding or damage to basements or crawl spaces. To safeguard your home from these risks, investing in modern drainage solutions is essential.
We offer surface drainage (e.g., downspout drainage, area drains and surface channels) and subterranean drainage (e.g., French Drains and gravel backfill systems) to address your home’s specific needs.
Climate change and aging systems can exacerbate drainage issues. Many older homes lack adequate systems to handle heavy rainfalls or rising water tables.
Cracks and settling often occur due to soil movement, water intrusion, or aging. Many older foundations lack rebar reinforcement, have shallow footings not supported in deeper soils, smaller dimensions and are in poor condition, making them more prone to these issues.
Here’s an overview of a foundation job:
Essentially, we ensure your home’s stability by supporting it with steel beams, demolishing the old concrete, and installing a reinforced foundation with proper drainage if needed.
Over time, concrete structures may deteriorate due to water, soil settlement, and even earthquake activity. The average useable lifespan of foundations in our area is around 100 years. Since older foundations have no rebar (steel reinforcement), when they settle they can crack into smaller sections that will move independently from each other, causing your home to move and develop cracks in walls, doors, etc. If your foundation has issues and you replace it sooner rather than later, you can avoid some of the damage that may occur that would lead to additional expenses in the future.
A basement digout involves excavating beneath your home, building taller foundations with proper drainage, adding new concrete floors and structural supports for interior walls and openings, and creating usable space that can be remodeled.
In most cases yes. Basements provide cooler, quieter living spaces and are generally easier to permit compared to either second story or rear yard additions. Since they don’t create additional lot coverage, they can be the only option where additional yard space is not available on smaller properties, and where preserving outdoor areas is at a premium.
Estimates are completely free! We believe in starting with a transparent conversation to understand your needs and goals. Click here to request your free estimate today.
Our projects start at $10,000, which covers smaller-scale structural repairs. However, most extensive projects—like foundation replacements, drainage systems, or basement digouts—require a larger investment based on their complexity and materials.
The total cost depends on factors like the project’s size, scope, materials, and any unique challenges specific to your home. We’ll work with you to provide a detailed, itemized estimate tailored to your needs. With our commitment to quality and longevity, every dollar you spend is an investment in your home’s future.
The timeline varies widely based on the scope of work:
We’ll provide a detailed timeline during the planning phase and keep you updated throughout.
Yes. Mold spores from crawlspaces can infiltrate your living space, causing allergies and respiratory issues. Addressing moisture problems can mitigate these risks.
Effective drainage and proper ventilation are the best solutions in the Bay Area with our temperate climate and typical crawlspaces. Some of the cheaper alternatives such as crawlspace sealing, dehumidification etc are in our opinion not optimal as they rely on technological solutions that are more prone to failure.
Some communities do not require them while others have multiple permits that are required. We handle the permitting process for you to ensure compliance with local regulations.
It varies but can take several weeks to months. Starting early helps avoid delays.
Alameda, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, Orinda, and Piedmont.