For Bay Area Drainage, Inc., a “hands-on” owner and a team of seasoned professionals add up to consistent customer satisfaction–year after year.

“Probably 60 percent of our customers call us again for various projects, simply because they’re happy with what we’ve done in the past,” says Wayne Ortland, owner of Bay Area Drainage. “Often they’ll call us back for projects such as a driveway or retaining wall.”

Attention to detail is something Bay Area Drainage, Inc. takes very seriously. “I stop by every job site at least once a day, and I’m involved in each individual project as if I was working on my own home,” says Mr. Ortland. In addition to visits from the owner, each project has a site superintendent on the job all day to oversee the work in progress.

Bay Area Drainage, Inc. is known for its skilled and courteous crews. They understand living with construction can be a challenge for most homeowners, so they do everything they can to minimize the impact. “Our crews are trained to be very courteous to the homeowner. They clean up at the end of every day and leave your home looking as if there’s no ongoing construction,” says Mr. Ortland. “The driveways are swept and the sidewalks cleaned, so when you come home from work, the yard doesn’t look like a work zone.” And when a big project is completed, all leftover materials are removed before a complete and thorough final cleanup is performed.

At Bay Area Drainage, Inc., quality workmanship, reliability and trustworthiness are top priorities. “We show up when we say we’re going to, and we’re there every day until the project is finished,” says Mr. Ortland. “We stick to our timelines, and the workmanship our guys demonstrate is far better than most.” Good benefits and job satisfaction are two of the reasons labor turnover is low. “My guys have been with me for a minimum of three years, and some of them have been with me for as long as 10 years. We offer full medical benefits and give them what they need.” There have never been any security issues with personnel. “I’d trust them in my own home,” says Mr. Ortland.

When screening drainage contractors, it’s crucial to check licenses and certifications. Wayne Ortland, owner of Bay Area Drainage, advises to ask for references and get testimonials when searching for any kind of contractor specializing in drainage systems. Make sure the company has a history of dependability and guaranteed workmanship. “I do believe that being Diamond Certified is very important,” says Mr. Ortland, “because when you’re using a Diamond Certified contractor, you know they’re on a different level than the others.

“Unfortunately,” he continues, “in our industry, many contractors aren’t reliable or trustworthy. You need to check their license so you don’t hire a company with a questionable reputation—you don’t want to pay twice for a drainage job that wasn’t done correctly or was left unfinished.”

It’s important to hire someone who specializes in drainage systems, says Mr. Ortland. Some landscaping companies may claim to be drainage experts, but often they’re not. “I don’t know how many drainage systems I’ve seen that weren’t done correctly—they’re either not deep enough or the percentage of fall is incorrect. You really need to be careful with drainage because it’s buried. Being underground, it’s not going to be visible once it’s completed.”

It’s important to get a commitment from the contractor stating they’ll return to your home and fix any problem free of charge if the need arises. When considering this kind of work, a guarantee is an absolute necessity.

Q: How will I benefit from eliminating the moisture that’s underneath my home?

A: By installing a French drain, the negative effects of moisture are eliminated. These include—but aren’t limited to—mold, mildew, damaged floors and conditions in which termites can thrive. When it’s dry, your house feels more comfortable—it’s warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Q: Is mold something to be concerned about?

A: Absolutely. When damp conditions under a home aren’t resolved, mold can develop in the floors and spread into the walls and elsewhere. This can adversely affect air quality and lead to health problems.

Q: Can you install a drainage system without damaging our shrubs and other plants?

A: Yes. We proceed in small increments so we can carefully remove plants when necessary and put them back at the end of the day. With larger plants, we tunnel under them whenever possible so we don’t harm their root systems. We do our best to minimize the impact on your landscaping.

Q: What kind of shape will the overall yard be in after you leave?

A: Again, we try not to damage any plants. We excavate carefully around all existing hardscape features, so we guarantee you’ll be completely happy with the site after we’re finished. But if any repairs are needed, we’ll gladly come out and do them. We like to follow up with our customers to make sure everything is working properly.

Q: What about a timeline?

A: We stick to our timelines. Once we start a project, we’re there every day until it’s done. We don’t lose crew members to another job. We won’t move on to the next project until yours is finished. That’s our commitment to our customers.

Q: Do you do other work besides installing drainage systems?

A: Yes. We act as a general contractor with crews who can do pavers and concrete work. But our absolute specialty is drainage problems and solutions.

Q: Do you do free consultations?

A: Yes, and we think you’ll be pleased with our pricing should you decide to hire us.

Q: Do you ever offer specials?

A: Yes. One example might be free demolition of walkways during a certain season. We’ll often send out flyers announcing such specials.

Q: Is your work guaranteed?

A: Yes. We guarantee our drainage systems will keep your home dry. If a customer ever notices standing water, we’ll come out and add extra drains (if needed) at no additional cost. As previously mentioned, we make it a point to check back with our customers to make sure everything is working to their satisfaction.