Ward Construction
Company Overview
We specialize in drainage, leveling, foundation repair, and retaining walls. For more than six decades, our expertise has been your home's best defense.
Our family-owned company has been serving the East Bay for three generations, covering areas like Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, El Cerrito, Kensington, Piedmont, and more. California Contractors License #416376.
Our company was established by seasoned builders John Ward and Bill Gilman, mentored by Jack Marchant of Marchant Construction Company. We began by specializing in crafting exquisite custom homes, additions, and remodels.
With the arrival of the late 1960s, John Ward led the company and changed its name to John R. Ward, General Building Contractor. Our skills became increasingly in demand for addressing structural challenges such as foundation settlement, drainage, retaining walls, and floor leveling. During the mid-1970s, we shifted our focus entirely to structural repairs.
Art Ward joined our team in 1978, infusing the company with new energy and knowledge. By 1981, we officially became Ward Construction, Inc., with Art Ward as president. Thanks to his leadership, we have expanded our services and refined our expertise. In 2020, after working part-time with us during college, Art’s son, Henry Ward, joined the company. He now holds the positions of estimator and superintendent.
Business Services
- Earthquake retrofitting
- Foundation construction
- Foundation repair
- Foundation replacement
- Retaining walls
- Construction or installation
- Masonry/concrete repair
- Moisture control installation
- Moisture control repair
- Retaining wall repair
- Sump pump installation
- Sump pump repair
- Waterproofing installation
- Waterproofing repair
Business Location & Hours
Mon: | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Tue: | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Wed: | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Thu: | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Fri: | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Sat: | Closed |
Sun: | Closed |
Recommended Customer Reviews

This company did a substantial French drain and concrete job for us to mitigate a large upslope we have to our Lamorinda area home. They delivered just as promised, on time, on budget, and left the yard just like they'd found it: undamaged.
Their pricing was far, far less than some of the other bids we got and the quality and service were really excellent. When we had questions or wanted a minor change, they took care of it with zero resistance and no follow up needed on our part. We recommended them to neighbors as well.

We did a partial foundation and full garage floor replacement with Ward in spring 2012. They did a great job, everything just as promised, on time, and with some flexibility to work around other contractors on site. Very professional, and we felt the cost was very reasonable. Best of all, the new garage floor (twice as thick as the old one, which was cracked and shifting) has stayed put for two years! Nary a crack.

We had a great experience with everyone we dealt with at Ward Construction. We recently had them install a sump pump and subterranean drain around the perimeter of our basement which had water intrusions in heavy rains. The were very attentive to our concerns and were done quickly (despite some delays in getting the Berkeley permit guy out to inspect due to holidays etc). Best of all, it's rained a lot recently and the basement has stayed dry!

We used Ward Construction on a massive foundation underpinning project at our home in Lafayette. My experience with Ward Construction was outstanding. I strongly recommend Ward for both quality of work/service and price.
They diagnosed the problems that we're causing cracking in various potions of our house, found a cost effective structural engineer to work with us, and came in with a budget that was more competitive than any of the other four companies I talked with.
Ward started the project on time, was extremely communicative throughout each stage of the project, came in on budget and left the work site immaculate when they project was finished.
Ward also did a significant drainage project for us at an extremely competitive rate--we had the same great experience as with our first project.

They may be a good construction company in general, but my experience with Rick Arden was not a good one. In an attempt to ask simple questions about a project on the phone, he was indignant and reactionary. We terminated the proposal of services as a result. I've never been inspired to post a Yelp review until now.

I hired Ward Construction in July 2013 to install a French drain and sump pump to address significant water penetration in our basement. They did an excellent job at a reasonable price. The supervisors and crew were very experienced and worked diligently and efficiently to complete the job on schedule. They were courteous and responsive and left the work site looking cleaner than at the start of the work. If you want a no-nonsense contractor that knows how to get the job done right the first time, I strongly recommend Ward Construction.

Ward Construction recently completed a replacement of our existing brick foundation with a new foundation. I had bids in 2008 right after I bought the house and again this fall, and Ward consistently came in at the lowest bid. While it might not always be wise to take the lowest bid, I was confident - based on reading lots of reviews and talking with Rick and the engineer he brought in - that they could do a good job. I also found Rick a lot more personable than George Walton of Alameda Structural, and appreciated his follow-up before we signed on with them. The work ultimately comes down to the 3-person crew, with Miguel as the foreman on our job. They worked hard, showing up every day at 7:30 and working until about 4:30 every day. There were sometimes difficulties keeping communication lines with them and Art Ward/Rick Arden clear and clean, but ultimately they got the work done, accomodated our requests and did a great job in less time than they had projected. I sleep much more peacefully at night knowing that my house rests on a solid foundation.

After getting into my recently purchased home, it came to light that I needed some foundation repair done on the corner of the house due to settling of about 2 inches in one area. I had gotten four different quotes, but was most impressed with Rick and Art in terms of their experience and what needed to be done. The process was smooth, professional, and timely. I had a total of five bench piers installed and the house was lifted. I am very happy with the cost and results and definitely recommend them to anyone!

Ward Construction did a leveling of my foundation in December 2012. Because of scheduling issues, all work had to be done on the weekends and that was no issue for the guys! I was impressed with Rick Arden and his whole crew! Weekend or no weekend, they were there when promised and completed the job on time. Perfect quality, passed final inspection with flying colors. Price was also very competitive. Overall, only the best experience. Ask for Art or Rick and his crew lead by Rafa. You will not be disappointed!

Our homeowners' association in Orinda had an old (35 years) pressure-treated wood retaining wall, over 200 feet in length, 3 to 5 1/2 high, parts of which were listing quite a bit. Ward scoped the job and replaced about 100 feet of the wall, in good time, during early rains this year (2012), kept the private road right next to the wall open during construction, and overall, seemed to be completely on top of this job, after we had had a number of ""soft"" bids to repair the wall from others, who didn't seem to be completely on top of the repairs needed. We had a number of small add-ons to the job which were completed seamlessly. The new part of the wall blends well with the still-old part.