As I mentioned in my previous post, before beginnning the remodel on my home in San Ramon, it was necessary to level the foundation which was out almost four inches from front to back. After researching numerous approaches and interviewing several companies, engineers and contractors, I hired Bay Area Underpinning to do the job.

I set up an appointment for them to come out and give me an estimate on the job and Cliff, the engineer, showed up and measured the elevations at numerous positions around the house.  He then drew a layout of the house and showed me where the variances were in the elevation of the home. In San Ramon and various other cities in the San Ramon and Tri-Valley Areas such as Pleasanton, Dublin, Danville, Walnut Creek, Lafayette and Orinda, we have a clay soil that is susceptible to significant expansion during the rainy season, as it absorbs moisture, and contraction during the dry season, as it loses its moisture.  Over the years this can cause settling issues whose effects are seen in walls cracking, doors sticking, stucco cracking and even a noticeable dip in the floors of certain homes. This is especially noticeable in the flatland areas of San Ramon around Montevideo Drive, Pine Valley Road, Davona Drive and Broadmoor Drive for homes that have shallow foundations and happen to be positioned near areas where the undergound water table is high, such as mine.

Pier Attached To Foundation

After getting the estimate from Bay Area Underpinning, which was almost half of what the other three estimates I received from other contractors, I clarified certain concerns I had about the process and they answered all my questions and gave me the confidence that positioning 12 piers at various positions around the house where there had been the most settling would take care of my major problem and still fall within my budget.  Here’s a picture of what one of the piers looks like once it is installed.  I will write more detail about this in my next blog post.  In the meantime, if you are interested in the process or want a personal testimonial, you are welcome to contact me (email Craig) or call (925) 984-4910.