Maloney Construction Inc. provides a variety of foundation services for residential and commercial clients in Marin County, Sonoma County, and the entire Bay Area. The company has the in-house capabilities to handle everything from retaining wall designs to comprehensive foundation repairs, and it also has special expertise with helical pier installations.
Owner Sean Maloney says Maloney Construction’s ability to solve the unique challenges that come with foundation work has been an important part of its success. “We’re often able to put foundation support in places that the property owners didn’t think was possible, which is always fun. We really enjoy talking to our clients, listening to their needs and utilizing our problem-solving skills to fix their issues.”
Maloney Construction is known for its transparent pricing, which it accomplishes by carefully examining each job to determine the materials and load capacity required. “Some contractors will come in with low bids and try to make up the difference with change orders, but we’re clear about our pricing from the start,” affirms Mr. Maloney. “Our clients know we’re going to deliver on our promises and give them exactly what they need.”
“We want our clients to trust us during every step of their projects, so we’re honest with them and we make every effort to keep them informed about what’s going on. We’re not trying to sell them unnecessary services—we’re here to recommend work that will save them money and keep their foundations in excellent condition.”
If you’re a homeowner, make sure you know the basics of your foundation to prevent costly problems.
When it comes to foundation problems, water leakage is usually to blame. Water that collects near a foundation can make the soil heavy and expanded, which causes it to press on foundation walls and footings and create cracks. To avoid this situation, it’s crucial to fix any drainage issues near your home as soon as you notice them. Check for drainage issues in your gutters and downspouts, and make sure the soil near your foundation is graded properly and drains well.
Experts recommend having your downspouts empty no less than five to 10 feet away from your home. You should also check the grading near your home and ensure your yard slopes at least six inches within 10 feet of your property. Sloping soil will pull water away from your home, keeping it from ending up in your basement or harming the foundation.
Be aware of plants and trees near your foundation—roots can suck moisture from the soil and cause it to dry out too much, which can lead to settling, sinking and the inability to handle heavy rains. Roots can also press against foundation walls, causing them to crack and erode. To prevent this, avoid planting shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants near your home. Since a tree’s root structure mimics the above-ground structure of plants, you should be able to tell how wide a tree’s roots span underground by noting how close the branches come to your house. If they touch the walls or roof, the tree is too close to your foundation.
Cracks that are larger than a quarter-inch are a major concern, as are cracks that run through multiple blocks. If you see cracks like these, you should request the advice of a foundation contractor. You may be able to plug the cracks with epoxy to stop leakage, but any structural issues could require major repairs.
Foundation contractors are always looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their competition, and those that have earned Diamond Certified are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Maloney Construction Inc. sets itself apart by focusing on a specific aspect of foundation work that not every company is qualified to handle. “Our main focus is installing helical piers and doing underpinning, which is the process of securing existing homes and foundations to keep them from moving or sliding downhill,” explains owner Sean Maloney. “It’s very satisfying to be able to solve specific problems for our clients and do work that’s difficult for other contractors to do.”
Maloney Construction has been providing foundation services for residential and commercial clients in Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Solano, Mendocino, Lake, Sacramento, and Napa Counties since 1996. In addition to handling everything from retaining wall designs to complete foundation repairs, the company is qualified to work on a variety of civil construction projects.
Unlike less experienced foundation contractors that keep clients in the dark about the financial aspects of their projects, Maloney Construction prides itself on giving transparent, honest pricing on every job. “Instead of coming in with a low bid and trying to make up the difference with change orders, we take the time to really look at the project and think through every step so the client gets the price we promise from the start,” says Mr. Maloney. “From required materials to load capacity tests, we include everything that’s necessary to do the most accurate job.”
Ultimately, Mr. Maloney sees Maloney Construction’s customer-oriented business practices as its most important attributes. “We spend a lot of time talking to our clients, explaining their issues and coming up with solutions,” he says. “They understand that we’re not trying to sell them unnecessary work—we simply want to make their homes and businesses safer. We focus on doing what’s right, and as a result, we end up with a lot of happy clients who we consider friends.”
