I moved to the Bay Area from Pasadena (LA) in 1976 to attend UC Berkeley and study Anthropology (go Bears!). After graduation I worked as a river rafting guide, seasonal firefighter, lifeguard, swimming instructor, and scuba diving instructor at UC, teaching scientific diving to students who wanted to do underwater research in Biology.
In 1979 I started my own handyman business called "Jim of All Trades". I received my license as a General Contractor in 1983, doing mostly small remodeling projects. In the early 90's, my crew and I began doing foundation replacement, drainage systems, and earthquake retrofitting. We found that structural repair was really our niche, and we began to focus on becoming the best in this part of the business.
In 1979 I started my own handyman business called "Jim of All Trades". I received my license as a General Contractor in 1983, doing mostly small remodeling projects. In the early 90's, my crew and I began doing foundation replacement, drainage systems, and earthquake retrofitting. We found that structural repair was really our niche, and we began to focus on becoming the best in this part of the business.
Services
If you're a homeowner in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Moraga, El Cerrito, Kensington, Oakland, Orinda, Piedmont, and San Leandro, CA looking for a foundation, structural repair, drainage, or retaining wall contractor, Jim Gardner Construction will help you get the job done right the first time.
Jim Gardner Construction specializes in residential structural repair work, including foundation repair and replacement, basement digouts, drainage systems (French drains and downspout and site drainage), replacing and repairing entry stairs and porches, earthquake / seismic retrofitting repairs and upgrades, and retaining walls.
Jim Gardner Construction specializes in residential structural repair work, including foundation repair and replacement, basement digouts, drainage systems (French drains and downspout and site drainage), replacing and repairing entry stairs and porches, earthquake / seismic retrofitting repairs and upgrades, and retaining walls.
Foundation Replacement- Older foundations often require repair or replacement. They typically lack rebar, and are often cracked and settled. Their dimensions are smaller, and they are often not deep enough into the adjacent soil to be stable. Due to drainage issues and moisture in the soil, the concrete may be deteriorated, and is often in poor condition and crumbling.
The first step in the digout project is to support the building in place so the foundations can be removed and digging can occur. It can be done with large steel beams that support the entire length of the building, or smaller beams to support portions of the house. We prefer to do our own shoring with smaller beams because it puts less stress on the house, minimizing cracking above which would require additional repairs in finished spaces.
Basic seismic upgrades should be installed in the basement and crawlspaces of most older homes. When bolts are absent they should be installed, or additional bolts added when they are not sufficient for current engineering standards. Plywood sheerwalls should be installed along with clips, holdowns for cripple walls taller than 4 feet, and post-beam hardware added for pier supports if they are present.
Beams and other load bearing walls are installed prior to the removal of the shoring. The next step is installing the interior wall framing and windows. Our clients often continue to live upstairs throughout the project, so utilities are often maintained temporarily in their existing locations until they are relocated.
Reviews (17)
Henry S.
Nov 11, 2021
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We recently bought a 1920s home and found there were some drainage problems and the wall cracks indicating settlement issues. Jim, from the get go, knows how to manage clients and their projects. He asks pointed, high-yield questions starting with his online questionnaire that help tailor his consultation to your exact needs and budget. He provides honest assessments and is uninterested in offering quick, cheap fixes that will not solve your problems - very refreshing and much appreciated. He is very knowledgable and reliable. We won't hesitate to reach out to Jim again when we have work that
Carlos C.
Nov 16, 2020
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I highly recommend speaking with Jim. He knows his craft very well and he gives it to you straight. I called Jim because I was suspecting some foundation issues at home in the Berkeley Hills. He was very knowledgeable and honest in his assessment of my issues. At the very least, you should speak with Jim to see what he says if you are considering a project of this type.
A. E.
Oct 07, 2020
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We are filled with gratitude at getting to have Jim assess our home's foundation. As our home is a 1914 craftsmen bungalow that had some questionable work done by the prior owner, we were expecting the worst and therefore had put off getting eyes on it for several years.
We found Jim to be incredibly responsive, and he had us scheduled for an inspection immediately; upon which, he found there were no major issues. GIANT sigh of relief!
Big thank you to Jim for being thorough in looking over our home and foundation, thoughtful on his recommendations of the things we should do for upkeep
We found Jim to be incredibly responsive, and he had us scheduled for an inspection immediately; upon which, he found there were no major issues. GIANT sigh of relief!
Big thank you to Jim for being thorough in looking over our home and foundation, thoughtful on his recommendations of the things we should do for upkeep
Nick K.
Sep 21, 2020
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Jim came to our condo to meet with HOA members and give us an estimate for some foundation and drainage issues. He was very responsive, on time, and friendly. We were concerned about a number of issues and Jim did a great job explaining everything to us. He definitely calmed our nerves and helped us make a plan to fix some of the simple issues on our own. He was very quick in providing an estimate. I would definitely call him again.
Kevin Brashem
Sep 15, 2020
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I contacted Jim Gardner Construction in regards to a retaining wall. Jim came out, spent time with us looking at our wall, and helped us make a decision to wait until the wall needs replacement and not to try and patch it now. I appreciated the honesty and desire to help us do the project right at the right time, not throwing on a bandaid that won't really fix the problem, in order to make a quick buck.
Keith M.
Jul 27, 2020
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Jim came out to my house to take a look at a water seepage issue through my concrete foundation wall. He spend a good amount of time reviewing the issue from the inside and outside of the house. He recommended starting with a smaller DIY solution to see if that solves the issue, and to give him a call during the next rainy season if water still makes it through. Very good and honest information, rather than just pricing something that may not be needed.
Liz H.
Dec 03, 2019
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This review is only for initial contact. Jim has never done work on my property, so I cannot speak to his work. I went his website to fill out a request for estimate and found it kinda harsh. I think the overall message is "don't waste his time". He responded to my request asking me to send pictures, provide him with measurements, and telling me that my idea of cost was way off base. Taking measurements and looking at the project should be his job not mine. That's what an estimate appointment is right? I went with someone else, and my estimate for work was spot on.
Diana H.
Jan 09, 2019
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I just met with Jim this afternoon. He responded to my email quickly and was right on time for our appointment today (thank you).
Jim took the time to not only inspect our foundation but went into great details about his findings - he also was patient with my many questions and provided great information.
We are fortunate that in Jim's opinion we do not need extensive repairs but he did suggest some retrofitting we could do.
I just want to say I appreciated his honesty and taking the time to explain everything. Thank you!
Jim took the time to not only inspect our foundation but went into great details about his findings - he also was patient with my many questions and provided great information.
We are fortunate that in Jim's opinion we do not need extensive repairs but he did suggest some retrofitting we could do.
I just want to say I appreciated his honesty and taking the time to explain everything. Thank you!
Zack S.
Apr 27, 2018
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Jim's work, and the experience of working with him, was absolutely outstanding from start to finish.
The assessment of our project was spot on, the cost was competitive, the communication was excellent, and the quality and delivery of the work exceeded our expectations.
We recently moved into a 1920s home that had significant foundation issues, along with some framing that had apparently degraded and been patched repeatedly over the years. Between pest and foundation, we had received extremely pricey quotes.
Jim provided us with an extremely thorough inspection of our foundation and subfloor
The assessment of our project was spot on, the cost was competitive, the communication was excellent, and the quality and delivery of the work exceeded our expectations.
We recently moved into a 1920s home that had significant foundation issues, along with some framing that had apparently degraded and been patched repeatedly over the years. Between pest and foundation, we had received extremely pricey quotes.
Jim provided us with an extremely thorough inspection of our foundation and subfloor
Ian T.
Mar 28, 2018
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Jim came out to my house today to evaluate the foundation on our 1920s single story home.
We'd had three previous people come out who ranged from willing to do the earthquake Brace and Bolt work with no second thought, to being very rude, to being alarmist.
Jim spent more time with me than anyone else. He actually got under the house (with me) and discussed in frank and realistic terms what needed to be done. He didn't try to sell me on a service that was just a bandaid for us and a payday for him (Earthquake Brace and Bolt retrofit) and he didn't tell me that I should freak out
We'd had three previous people come out who ranged from willing to do the earthquake Brace and Bolt work with no second thought, to being very rude, to being alarmist.
Jim spent more time with me than anyone else. He actually got under the house (with me) and discussed in frank and realistic terms what needed to be done. He didn't try to sell me on a service that was just a bandaid for us and a payday for him (Earthquake Brace and Bolt retrofit) and he didn't tell me that I should freak out
Sean Smith
Feb 03, 2018
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Although a 100% 5-star record made me scratch my head, I reached out to them based on the reviews. But they proved to be pretty stingy/inflexible about where they work, regardless of the type of project or actual distance to the location compared to the predefined list of cities they serve. That is, even a location within the same radius from their office as the locations in their predefined list of cities served, is a location they refused to consider. And jurisdiction is no excuse, as my community is unincorporated and other unincorporated cities in my county (i.e., same permit procedures, etc
Joe J.
Jan 04, 2018
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Jim Armstrong
Jul 13, 2017
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Aiden E.
Mar 17, 2017
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I filled out an estimate form on their website and Jim replied the next day. I'm still in the estimate phase with Jim, but he's been unbelievably responsive. We were emailing back and forth late last night, often with his replies coming back within minutes of my emails.
He's looked at my schematics, photos, and asked a ton of questions before giving me a rough estimate, and the estimate was completely reasonable for the work.
I'm super impressed so far.
He's looked at my schematics, photos, and asked a ton of questions before giving me a rough estimate, and the estimate was completely reasonable for the work.
I'm super impressed so far.
Andrea Viel
Sep 12, 2016
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Jim Gardener just replaced the landing at the top of our front stairway. We were extremely impressed with Jim's knowledge, his professionalism, and his crew. The job entailed removing the original 90-year-old brick landing, the columns, and building a cement support wall underneath: the job was complicated. The work was completed quickly, even though we had rain almost every day. The crew made sure the worksite was tidy at the end of each day. Jim went above and beyond what we expected and had the crew repaint all surfaces of our front porch. It's stunning work and I highly recommend Jim Gardener
Nic Bekaert
Sep 08, 2016
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I called Jim for a new foundation based on stellar Yelp reviews. His quote was highly competitive. He worked with my schedule, and his crew was qualified and efficient. Quality of work was excellent and service great. When I noticed some of our doors weren't shutting quite right due to the house shift, he sent folks back immediately and took care of it. Highly recommend.
Susan Paulukonis
Aug 26, 2016
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Call Jim with the jobs where you want to be 100% certain they get it right. We worked with him to solve drainage problems at our house only after we'd worked with several other people who got it wrong. Jim understood the problem immediately, scheduled the work within a month of our conversation, the crew was on time, very communicative and helpful, quick and neat. My favorite part, other than FINALLY having a functional drainage and pump system, was that the crew leader rescued a stepping stone from the rubble of the path that was to be replaced, and put it back in the new concrete path that was
