Foundation Design & Repair
A building is only as strong as what it stands on. Oaktown Engineers designs and repairs foundations engineered for Bay Area soils — from expansive clays to steep hillside fill — with stamped calculations your building department will approve.
Bay Area geology is unforgiving. Expansive clay swells and shrinks with the seasons, hillside sites combine fill and slope instability, and older foundations were often built before modern codes. Oaktown Engineers designs foundation systems that carry load reliably to competent bearing soil — and repairs failing foundations before small problems become structural emergencies. We read soils reports, model the loads, and specify the right system for the site, whether that's deep piers on a hillside, grade beams over expansive soil, or conventional footings for a new build.
What we handle
- New Foundation Design
- Hillside Pier & Grade-Beam Systems
- Mat & Spread Footings
- Foundation Repair & Underpinning
- Retaining Wall Design
- Soils Report Review
- Drainage & Waterproofing Coordination
- Permit-Ready Stamped Plans
New Foundation Design
For new homes, additions, and ADUs, we select and size the foundation to match your soil and structure — spread footings, mat slabs, or deep piers — and deliver stamped plans coordinated with your architectural set.
Hillside & Expansive-Soil Sites
Steep and expansive sites demand engineered solutions. We design drilled piers and grade-beam systems that reach stable soil, and detail the drainage and retaining elements that keep a hillside foundation performing for decades.
Foundation Repair & Underpinning
Cracks, settlement, and sloping floors are signs a foundation needs attention. We diagnose the cause, then design underpinning, pier systems, or replacement that restores full, code-compliant support.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my foundation needs repair?
Common signs include stair-step cracks in walls, sticking doors and windows, sloping floors, and gaps around the foundation. We can assess your home and recommend whether repair is needed.
Do you design foundations for hillside homes?
Yes. Hillside foundations are a specialty — we design drilled piers, grade beams, and retaining systems engineered for slope and soil conditions across the Bay Area.
Do you review the soils / geotechnical report?
We do. We incorporate the geotechnical engineer's recommendations into a foundation design that satisfies both the soils report and the building code.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project and we'll give you an honest assessment and a free quote.