Frequently Asked Questions

We are a locally owned and family operated foundation repair, basement waterproofing, and concrete services contractor based in Woodbury, Minnesota. We have been working on Twin Cities homes and properties for over 20 years. We specialize in fixing foundation, drainage, and concrete problems specific to the Upper Midwest climate. Licensed in Minnesota under MN# BC766890.

Over 20 years. All of those years have been spent working on homes in the Twin Cities East Metro and St. Croix Valley region, so we know exactly how Minnesota soil, freeze-thaw cycles, and Upper Midwest construction methods affect foundations.

Yes. We are licensed in Minnesota under MN# BC766890 and fully insured. You can verify our license through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Yes. We are an Angi Super Service Award winner and a Stillwater Gazette Readers' Choice Award winner. You can read recent reviews directly on our Reviews page or on our Google Business Profile.

No. We are locally owned and family operated. You will not be talking to a national call center or a franchise sales rep. The team that inspects your foundation is the same team that fixes it.

Yes. Our Gallery page has photos of completed projects across the Twin Cities. We can also share examples relevant to your specific situation during a free inspection.

We serve the Twin Cities East Metro and St. Croix Valley region in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This includes Minneapolis, St. Paul, Woodbury, Stillwater, Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Hudson WI, and surrounding communities. See our service area page.

Most likely yes. We cover the entire Twin Cities East Metro and St. Croix Valley region. Call us at 612-875-4819 with your address and we can confirm immediately.

We serve parts of Western Wisconsin in the St. Croix Valley region, including Hudson. For other Wisconsin or out-of-area projects, call us at 612-875-4819 to discuss.

Both. Our primary focus is residential foundation, concrete, and waterproofing work, but we also handle light commercial properties.

Foundation repair costs vary widely depending on the type, severity, and cause of the damage. A small crack repair is very different from underpinning a settling foundation or replacing a section of bowing block wall. The only way to get an accurate price is a free on-site inspection where we can see what is actually happening. Call 612-875-4819 to schedule.

Interior drain tile cost depends on the linear footage required, whether your basement is finished, sump pump condition, and access to the foundation footings. We provide a transparent quote after a free inspection. Call 612-875-4819 to schedule.

Concrete driveway cost depends on square footage, thickness, prep work needed, and any special features like stamping or color. Free estimates available. Call 612-875-4819 or request a quote through our website.

Yes. The initial inspection and quote are free. There is no pressure and no obligation. Call 612-875-4819 to schedule.

Foundation, drainage, and concrete repair problems all have hidden variables that only become clear during an on-site inspection. Soil conditions, water source, structural load, scope of damage, and access all affect the price. Quoting blind would mean either overcharging you to be safe or underquoting and then changing the price later. We do not work that way.

No. Our standard inspection and quote are free for foundation repair, concrete, drain tile, corrective grading, and waterproofing services. The exception is our Pre-Sale or Pre-Purchase Home Foundation Review, which is a more in-depth professional assessment with a written report. That service has a fee. Contact us for current pricing.

Yes. We offer flexible home improvement financing through Regions Home Improvement Financing (Regions Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender). Three programs are available: 6 Month Same-As-Cash, 12 Month Same-As-Cash, and a 5 Year Fixed Loan at 7.99% APR. You can prequalify without affecting your credit. Call 612-875-4819 to start, or ask your inspector about financing during your free inspection. See our financing page.

Regions Home Improvement Financing, through Regions Bank. Regions is a major U.S. bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, with a dedicated home improvement financing program for approved contractors.

Same-As-Cash means no payments and no interest are charged during the promotional period (6 or 12 months) as long as the loan is paid in full before the promotional period ends. Interest starts accruing when funds are disbursed but is waived if the loan is repaid in full within the same-as-cash window. If the loan is not paid off by the end of the promotional period, accrued interest is added to your balance.

The 5 Year Loan is a standard 60-month installment loan at 7.99% APR with fixed monthly payments. There is no deferred interest and no promotional period to worry about. This option is best for homeowners who want predictable payments stretched out over a longer period.

Yes. Regions Home Improvement Financing offers a prequalification option that lets you check your eligibility without a hard credit inquiry. You can prequalify before your inspection, during the inspection, or after receiving your quote. Call 612-875-4819 and we can walk you through it.

Credit requirements vary by program through Regions Bank. The Same-As-Cash and 5 Year Loan programs each have their own approval criteria. The prequalification option lets you check your eligibility without affecting your credit. Call 612-875-4819 for details.

In many cases yes, especially when insurance covers part of the repair and financing handles the deductible or any uncovered portion. Talk to us at 612-875-4819 about your specific situation.

Typically very fast. Many homeowners can prequalify in just a few minutes online or during the inspection visit. Final loan approval depends on the program and your application. Call 612-875-4819 for current details.

Yes. You can prequalify with Regions Home Improvement Financing before scheduling your inspection if you want to understand your financing options upfront. The actual loan amount is finalized once your project quote is in hand.

Loan amount limits depend on the program selected and your approval. Call 612-875-4819 to discuss your specific project size and which program is the best fit.

The right program depends on how you plan to repay. If you can pay off the project within 6 or 12 months, one of the Same-As-Cash programs typically saves the most because all interest is waived. If you want predictable monthly payments over a longer period, the 5 Year Loan at 7.99% APR is the simpler choice. We can walk through both options during your free inspection.

We typically schedule free inspections within a few business days. For urgent situations such as active water intrusion or visible structural movement, call 612-875-4819 and we will prioritize you.

Project timelines depend heavily on the type and scope of repair. A crack repair may take a single day. Drain tile installation is typically several days. Underpinning or full block wall replacement takes longer. We give you a realistic timeline as part of your free quote.

Yes. Most interior foundation and waterproofing work, including interior drain tile, block repair, and crack repair, can be done year round. Some exterior work depends on ground conditions. Winter is actually a smart time to schedule, since you avoid spring waterlogging issues. Call 612-875-4819 to discuss your project.

Yes. We work year round across the Twin Cities. Spring and summer are popular for exterior concrete and corrective grading projects when the ground is workable.

We can install interior drain tile in finished basements with minimal disruption. The work is contained to the perimeter of the foundation and we restore the area neatly. We will explain exactly what to expect during your free inspection.

It depends on the cause of the damage. Sudden, accidental damage is sometimes covered. Damage from gradual settling, lack of maintenance, or normal wear is usually not. Every policy is different, so check directly with your insurance provider. We can document the cause and scope of damage to help with your claim.

Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover groundwater seepage or sump pump failure unless you have a specific water backup or sump pump endorsement. Flood damage requires separate flood insurance. Check your policy for specifics.

We will provide documentation, photos, and a written assessment that you can submit to your insurance company. We do not bill insurance directly, but we make the documentation process easy for you.

Common warning signs include cracks in foundation walls (especially horizontal or stair-step cracks), bowing or leaning walls, water seepage, sticking doors or windows, gaps around trim, sloping or uneven floors, cracked exterior brick or stucco, and visible chipping or spalling. If you are seeing any of these, schedule a free inspection by calling 612-875-4819.

No, not always. Hairline vertical cracks are often normal settling and may just need monitoring or a simple seal. Horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks, and any crack wider than 1/4 inch are more concerning and should be inspected by a professional. The only way to know for sure is to have someone with experience look at it.

Yes, a bowing wall is a serious structural concern that needs professional inspection right away. It indicates significant pressure on the wall, often from water and freeze-thaw cycles, and can fail catastrophically if left unaddressed. Call 612-875-4819 to schedule an immediate inspection.

Wet basements are usually caused by drainage problems, poor grading, or failing drain tile, not by the foundation itself. The fix involves identifying the actual water source and addressing it at the cause. Schedule a free inspection or call 612-875-4819 and we will trace the problem.

The biggest factors are freeze-thaw cycles (water freezing in soil and cracks expands and pushes on foundations), soil movement (especially in clay-heavy areas), poor drainage and grading, gutter and downspout problems, and aging foundation materials. Minnesota's climate is uniquely hard on foundations, which is why local experience matters.

Yes, almost always. Foundation problems do not heal themselves. Each freeze-thaw cycle widens cracks, shifts soil, and pushes water deeper. A repair that costs a few thousand dollars today can become tens of thousands if you wait. Catching it early matters.

Garage floor cracks can be a sign of settling, frost heave, or poor original construction. Sometimes they are cosmetic. Sometimes they indicate a real issue. We can tell you for sure during a free inspection.

We pour and replace driveways, patios (including stamped and colored), sidewalks, steps, garage floors, concrete slabs, and driveway aprons. Call 612-875-4819 for a free estimate.

Properly installed concrete with proper control cuts and a high-quality mix can last decades in Minnesota, even with our freeze-thaw cycles. The key is correct installation. Cheap or poorly installed concrete can fail within a few years.

Yes. We offer stamped and colored patios as part of our concrete services.

In many cases yes. We can assess whether a partial replacement makes sense or whether full replacement would be more cost effective long term. Free estimates available.

Concrete cracks for many reasons, including improper control cuts, poor base preparation, freeze-thaw damage, settling, tree roots, or simply age. We can diagnose the cause and recommend the right fix during a free inspection.

Drain tile is a perforated pipe system installed at the base of your foundation that captures groundwater and channels it to a sump pump where it is safely pumped away from your home. It is the most reliable way to keep a basement dry over the long term.

You may need drain tile if you have water seeping into your basement, especially during snow melt or heavy rain, or if you have a wet or musty basement. The only way to know for sure is to identify the actual water source, which we do during a free inspection.

Both work. Interior drain tile is less disruptive to landscaping and can be installed year round, including in finished basements with minimal impact. Exterior drain tile addresses water before it reaches the foundation but requires excavation around the home. We recommend the right approach based on your specific situation.

Properly installed drain tile with the right materials can last for decades. The most common failure points are the sump pump (which has a finite lifespan) and clogged or improperly installed systems. We use heavy rigid PVC and proper sediment filtration to maximize lifespan.

Corrective grading means reshaping the soil around your home so water flows away from the foundation instead of pooling against it. Combined with proper drain tile and gutter management, it solves most basement water intrusion problems at the source.

It is a professional inspection of a home's foundation done either by a seller (to identify and address issues before listing) or a buyer (to know exactly what they are walking into). The review includes a visual inspection, crack analysis, moisture and water intrusion check, drainage and grading assessment, and a written report. If repairs are needed, we provide cost estimates.

This is one of our paid services. The fee depends on the size of the home and the depth of the assessment. Call 612-875-4819 for current pricing.

A general home inspector evaluates the entire home and typically lacks specialized foundation expertise. A Pre-Sale Foundation Review is a deep dive performed by foundation specialists, with detailed cost estimates for any work needed. If the home inspection flagged a foundation concern, this is the next step.

Schedule a Pre-Purchase Foundation Review. We will give you a clear picture of what is actually wrong, how serious it is, and what it would cost to fix. That information is invaluable in negotiating the purchase or deciding whether to walk away. Call 612-875-4819.

We come to your home at a scheduled time, walk the property and inspect the foundation, basement, drainage, and any specific areas of concern. We explain what we are seeing in plain language. If repairs are needed, we provide a written quote. There is no high-pressure sales pitch and no obligation.

Typically 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the scope.

Yes, ideally. We need access to the basement and foundation, and you should be there so we can explain what we find and answer your questions in real time.

No. We diagnose what your home actually needs and quote that work. If the problem is small, we will tell you. If it is serious, we will explain why and what the right fix is.

Yes, our work is backed. Specific warranty terms vary by service type. Call 612-875-4819 to discuss the warranty for your specific project.

Keep gutters clean and downspouts directing water at least 5 to 10 feet away from the foundation. Make sure soil grades away from the home, not toward it. Address any wet spots in the basement immediately rather than waiting. Schedule a foundation inspection every several years, especially after extreme weather.

Make sure your sump pump is working before snow starts melting. Test it by pouring water into the basin. Check for cracks in the foundation that might have widened over winter. Make sure gutters are clear of debris and downspouts are extended away from the house.

Hairline cracks in concrete are usually normal and cosmetic. Larger cracks, settling, heaving, or spalling indicate something more significant. We can take a look and tell you whether action is needed.

Call us immediately at 612-875-4819. If water is actively flowing in, get any belongings off the floor, make sure your sump pump is running, and avoid the affected area if there is any electrical concern. We will get a team out as fast as possible.

Call 612-875-4819 right away. A visibly moving or bulging foundation wall is a serious structural concern and should be inspected immediately. Avoid storing heavy items against the wall and do not attempt repairs yourself.

We focus on foundation, concrete, drain tile, and waterproofing services. Sewage backups are typically handled by a plumber or restoration company. After the immediate issue is addressed, if there is a foundation or drainage component, call 612-875-4819 and we can help.

Two easy options. Call us directly at 612-875-4819 to talk to someone now, or fill out the inspection request form on our website with your name, email, phone, and the services you are interested in. We will be in touch quickly to schedule.

Your address, a description of what you are seeing, when the problem started, and any photos if you have them. None of this is required to schedule, but it helps us prepare.

No. Foundation, concrete, drainage, and waterproofing repair quotes require an on-site inspection to be accurate. The inspection is free.

Call 612-875-4819. You will reach our team directly and we can typically schedule your free inspection within a few business days, sooner for urgent situations.

Yes. The 612-875-4819 number is SMS enabled. You can also use the contact form on the website if you prefer to write a longer message.