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11 Best Foundation Companies in El Cerrito, CA

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Written By Bradford Cuthrell

Last Updated April 2024

Foundation repairs can require a lot of time and money. However, neglecting foundation repairs could lead to significant and costly issues in the future. If you reside somewhere that doesn't get a lot of rain (like El Cerrito), lack of moisture in the soil around your foundation can make problems more likely.

To help, we've put together a list of top foundation service providers in your area. Keep reading to find top-rated foundation repair companies in El Cerrito, California.

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Top 11 Best Foundation Companies in El Cerrito

Jim Gardner Construction Inc

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3871 Piedmont Ave #13, Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 655-3409 jimgardnerconstruction.com

Transparent pricing

Free quotes

Helps educate customers

Good customer service

Services Offered

Retaining walls
Repair
Mold remediation
Inspection
French drains
Masonry
Sump pumps
Crawl space encapsulation
Grading and leveling
Driveways
Sealing

De Build Group

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1930 12th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606 (855) 333-2845 dbuildgroup.com

Good customer service

Helps educate customers

Punctual service

Transparent pricing

Free quotes

Services Offered

Driveways
French drains
Repair
Sealing
Grading and leveling
Concrete
Sidewalks
Retaining walls

LEET Construction Company Oakland

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1901 Harrison St Ste 1100, Oakland, CA 94612 (415) 881-0841 leetconstruction.com

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Good customer service

Services Offered

French drains
Repair
Concrete
Retaining walls
Crawl space encapsulation
Sidewalks
Driveways
Inspection

Feraru & Associates Building and Design Inc

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1569 Solano Ave #249, Berkeley, CA 94707 (510) 228-7366 feraru.us

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Punctual service

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Services Offered

Repair
Concrete
Retaining walls
French drains

West Coast Premier Construction

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1940 Union St #1, Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 271-0950 wcpc-inc.com

Good customer service

Punctual service

Transparent pricing

Services Offered

Repair
Grading and leveling
Waterproofing
Masonry
Inspection
Concrete
Retaining walls

Montclair Construction

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3871 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 547-2457 montclairconstruction.com

Free quotes

Good customer service

Helps educate customers

Transparent pricing

Services Offered

Retaining walls
Repair
Grading and leveling
Concrete

The Golden City Foundation Repair Co

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50 Post St #24, San Francisco, CA 94104 (415) 943-6199 foundationrepairsanfrancisco.net

Good customer service

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Services Offered

Inspection
Grading and leveling
Concrete
Repair
Driveways
Crawl space encapsulation
Retaining walls

Shaz Construction & Design

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40 Bellam Blvd Unit # 10484, San Rafael, CA 94912 (415) 528-1424 shazconstruction.com

Helps educate customers

Good customer service

Free quotes

Transparent pricing

Services Offered

Waterproofing
Masonry
Mold remediation
Retaining walls
Sealing
Grading and leveling
Inspection
Repair
Driveways
Concrete
Crawl space encapsulation

Bay Area Retrofit

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427 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706 (510) 548-1111 bayarearetrofit.com

Helps educate customers

Good customer service

Services Offered

Masonry
Driveways
Concrete
Grading and leveling
Repair
Retaining walls

Ward Construction Inc

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631 Marina Way S, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 215-3636 wardconstruction.com

Helps educate customers

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Services Offered

Grading and leveling
Repair
Concrete
French drains
Retaining walls
Driveways

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.

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1155 Ellis St #4, San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 447-6136 maresdow.com

Helps educate customers

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Punctual service

Services Offered

Driveways
Grading and leveling
French drains
Retaining walls
Waterproofing
Concrete
Crawl space encapsulation
Mold remediation
Repair
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on foundation companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company

You need a good foundation repair company to properly assess issues and make appropriate repairs. Do thorough research and focus on these factors when looking for the right company.

Experience

Look for a reliable local foundation company with significant experience in successfully fixing all foundation types. Technicians should have extensive experience with current repair materials and methods. Contact the company to ask how long it’s served your community.

Reputation

Reading online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps confirm that a company regularly provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.

Licensing and Insurance

Only hire companies that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both workers compensation and liability insurance. In California, general contractors need to be licensed by the Contractors State License Board in order to work on projects valued at more than $500. To apply for a license, an individual must have at least four years of related work experience in the last decade (or be represented by someone who does), must pass both a law and business and a trade exam, and must be bonded. Individuals or businesses that have employees must also have workers' compensation insurance. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain concrete work.

Warranties

Look for a company that provides lengthy transferable warranties for a minimum of a decade, preferably lifetime guarantees, to back its work. This demonstrates that the company stands behind its work and safeguards you if issues come up in the future.

Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies

During the process of selecting foundation repair providers, get detailed answers to questions such as:

  • Can you provide a complete written project scope and cost estimate? Asking for a quote in writing helps shield you from unexpected costs.
  • What guarantees do you provide? Reliable companies typically provide labor and materials warranties for at least 10 years.
  • What are some likely causes of my issues based on your inspection? Look for clear explanations and solutions in the answer. Companies that provide unclear answers may be trying to bill you for unneeded work.
  • What options do you have for financing? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
  • How long will repairs realistically take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
  • What repair method do you recommend for my specific situation and why? Your provider may consider options such as carbon fiber, wall anchors, and steel piers. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.

Carefully assessing foundation repair companies helps homeowners locate the best fit for their needs. A company that can answer the above questions likely completes long-lasting, quality repairs. Addressing foundation problems swiftly decreases the risk of future structural damage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in El Cerrito, CA

There are a number of signs that your foundation is in need of repair. These might include:

  • Visible crumbling or cracking of your foundation
  • Uneven ground-level floors
  • Bowing, buckling, or cracked walls
  • Door or window frames that are skewed or tight
  • Cracks in your basement floor
  • Cracks in your driveway

On average, El Cerrito homeowners pay about $3,168 for foundation repair, although the total cost will vary depending on several factors. The best way to get an estimate for the cost of a specific project is to solicit quotes from a handful of local foundation repair companies. The total price will be affected by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

Types of foundation repair include leak repair, crack repair, stabilization, underpinning, and waterproofing.

For both leak repair and crack repair, a technician will come to your home, perform an inspection, and use various measures to remedy leaks or cracks. The amount you spend will vary greatly depending on the size and cause of the issue.

Stabilization helps to fix bowing walls by inserting steel or carbon fiber strips. The cost will depend on the material chosen and the number of strips needed. The cost of underpinning also varies. This process, sometimes referred to as leveling or piering, involves leveling your foundation by underpinning it with concrete piers; the cost will depend on how many piers are used.

If you're interested in waterproofing your foundation or basement, we suggest finding a waterproofing specialist. This process may include outdoor waterproofing, indoor waterproofing, or both.

When caring for your foundation, you should make sure that it gets the right amount of moisture, especially in hot weather. El Cerrito tends to be a very dry place, so in times of little rain you may need to water your foundation. Additionally, be sure to quickly identify and repair any leaking pipes or gutters.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can contact a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can net you a list of potential concerns as well as steps you can take to further protect your foundation. Lastly, if you're building a new house, make sure to have a soil report done. This report provides information about how well the soil on your property will be able to support a foundation and highlights any potential future problems.

Your foundation repair expert should be the one to get the permits. You can request that the company provide a detailed explanation of its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has acquired to ensure everything is properly authorized per El Cerrito regulations.

You might not love the idea of spending money to hire someone for a seemingly small foundation repair. However, it's always a smart idea to consult a professional. This helps you avoid potential future issues that could be even more expensive. It may be possible to fix small hairline cracks yourself, but it's always a smart idea to get an expert opinion first.

Foundation repair, particularly large repairs such as basement waterproofing, should last a long time. This is particularly true when you employ a reliable company. When you solve systemic foundation issues, or reinforce important areas, you reduce the risk of future problems.

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