Drainage and Grading Contractors Serving Denver and the Front Range
Permanent Solutions. Guaranteed.
Van Matre Construction specializes in permanent foundation drainage and grading solutions for Front Range homeowners and property owners.
Every system we install is built to perform for the long term, with minimal maintenance and no shortcuts on materials or methods.
Permanent Solutions. Guaranteed.
Serving the Front Range Since 2001 | BBB A+ Rated | International Society of Micropiles Member | Lifetime Warranty | No Deposit Required
Why Proper Drainage and Grading Matter
Most Front Range foundation problems share a common origin. Colorado's soils are rich in expansive clay, and clay is reactive. It absorbs moisture and swells. It dries out and contracts. That cycle, repeated across seasons and years, places continuous stress on the foundations of homes throughout the Boulder and Denver area. The movement is usually slow and cumulative, which is why many homeowners do not recognize what they are seeing until the symptoms become difficult to ignore.
Foundation movement rarely announces itself directly. It tends to show up elsewhere in the structure first, in the framing, the finishes, the places where two building systems meet. Because our team came up through full-spectrum construction, building and remodeling homes before specializing in foundation repair, we recognize those signals wherever they appear, not just in the foundation wall itself.
Poor drainage and grading affect your home in three compounding ways:
- Water saturates the soil around your foundation, building hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls
- Freeze-thaw cycles expand and contract that saturated soil repeatedly, driving structural movement over time
- Renovations, finished basements, landscaping, and resale value are all compromised by a foundation that is wet or moving
Drainage and grading are structural protection. Addressing them correctly is the first step in protecting everything else your home represents.
Foundation movement can also show up in less obvious places: the roofline, the soffits, the brickwork above grade. These are symptoms that a narrower specialist might miss. We do not.
If you are seeing one or more of these signs, the right next step is a professional assessment, not a wait-and-see approach.
Foundation problems on the Front Range do not resolve on their own, and the underlying causes of foundation damage in Colorado soils make early diagnosis consistently more valuable than delayed action.
Our Drainage and Grading Solutions
Every property is different, and every water problem has its own story. Before we recommend anything, we evaluate the site, the soil, the grading, and the source of intrusion. What we recommend follows from what your property actually needs.
Foundation Drains
If your basement or crawlspace is damp, even though your yard slopes away from the house, an interior or exterior foundation drain may be the right solution.
Exterior Foundation Drains
We excavate the outside of your foundation all the way to the footings. The only way to stop moisture before it contacts your foundation. We specify Cetco AquaDrain, a solid plastic panel with dimples to channel water and geo-textile fabric to prevent clogging, with perforated pipes wrapped in gravel sloped to a cast-iron sump pump. This work involves temporary disruption to landscaping. We are straightforward about that from the start.
We use only the highest-quality products to ensure the best long-term protection for your foundation. We cover the wall with AquaDrain, a solid rigid plastic panel with a weep gap that prevents water from seeping through. The gap allows the water to go directly to the drains, giving it a direct route from the soil to the sump pit away from your home.
Same applies to the French drain closing statement. It is a practical service explanation, not a philosophy or positioning statement that needs Brady's name on it.
Interior Foundation Drains
When exterior access is limited or preserving your landscaping is a priority, we install a basement drainage system just inside your foundation wall, beneath the floor. We remove a narrow strip of slab, install the drain, and patch the floor seamlessly. This is the right solution when moisture is presenting at or below floor level.
Exterior Surface Drains
When surface water is the primary source of intrusion, an exterior drain addresses the problem at its origin. Our process:
- We dig around your foundation, inspecting for cracks or damage
- The wall is cleaned and covered with AquaDrain for moisture protection
- We lay a perforated, geo-textile-wrapped pipe in gravel, sloped to a sump pit
- After backfill, we grade your lot to direct water away from your home
French Drain Installation in Denver
Sometimes the drainage issue is not next to your foundation, but with a low spot in your landscaping collecting and holding water. If the topography makes gravity drainage impossible, a French drain or a cut-off drain may be what you need. We use them for:
- Soggy lawns or pooling water
- Negative grading, where water flows toward the house
- Hardscape areas, using trench drains or inlet boxes
- Landscape drain installation where water collects in low-lying yard features or hardscape areas
- Sites where gravity drainage is not possible, using a pump system
Sometimes the drainage issue is not next to your foundation, but with a low spot in your landscaping collecting and holding water. If the topography makes gravity drainage impossible, a French drain or a cut-off drain may be what you need
The Van Matre Difference
We hold ourselves to one standard: install the right solution correctly the first time, and stand behind the work we do. That standard does not change based on project size, timeline pressure, or what a competitor is willing to offer for less.
Every drainage system we install is specified for durability. Materials are selected by name for long-term performance, and our diagnostic process identifies the actual source of intrusion before any work begins.
Van Matre Construction was founded in 2001 and has focused exclusively on structural and drainage work since 2013. Our field estimators, Tim and Lance, have been with the company for more than 20 years each. This is a team that has spent decades learning the behavior of Front Range soils and structures together, across hundreds of properties in Denver, Boulder, and the surrounding communities.
We do not require a deposit to hold your place in our schedule. A signed contract is sufficient. We are fully licensed and insured, carry an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and maintain one of the highest Google satisfaction scores in our category, from verified customers. We are Front Range residents, and our reputation in this community is personal. We take it seriously.
We are not the least expensive option, and we do not try to be.
Our Process: From Free Quote to Final Walkthrough
Step 1: Free On-Site Assessment
We start by understanding the problem fully before we consider the solution. That means evaluating the site, the soil behavior, the grading, the source of intrusion, and the broader structural context of your property. We may spend more time on the front end than other contractors. That is deliberate. The correct diagnosis is what makes the solution permanent.
Step 2: Custom Solution Design
You receive a tailored recommendation based on what your property actually needs, walked through clearly so you can make an informed decision. We do not present a single option and move on. We explain what we found, what we recommend, and why.
Step 3: Professional Installation
Our crews are experienced, efficient, and respectful of your property. We keep you informed throughout and do not consider the work started until you are clear on what to expect.
Step 4: Final Inspection and Ongoing Support
We do not consider the job done until you are satisfied. We walk through the completed work with you, confirm everything is performing as specified, and provide full warranty details. Our relationship with clients does not end at installation.
Signs You Need Drainage Help
Not sure if youky deposits) on concrete walls or floor
Site and Drainage Red Flags
- Persistent soggy spots or pooling water
- Soil settlement or ground movement near the foundation or structure
- Erosion or dead lawn patches
- Tough weeds in wet areas
If you see any of these, early action can save thousands in repairs.
Uneven ground and drainage problems share many causes, temperature swings, settling soil, buried debris, or failing underground pipes. Before any grading or drainage work takes place, we diagnose the underlying problem first. Corrective action follows the diagnosis, not the other way around.
Service Areas
We proudly serve:
- Denver
- Boulder
- Lafayette
- Broomfield
- Arvada
- Louisville
- Westminster
- And surrounding Colorado Front Range communities
Our team are Front Range residents with firsthand knowledge of the soil behavior, drainage patterns, and permitting requirements specific to each community we serve. That local experience is not incidental, it informs how we diagnose problems and what we specify to solve them permanently.
Customer Success Stories and Testimonials
Our standard on every project is straightforward: work completed correctly, clients satisfied, and solutions that do not need to be revisited.
"Van Matre Construction completed our drainage project on time and on budget. The crew was professional, respectful of our property, and explained every step of the process. Our basement has been dry ever since."
Satisfied Homeowner, Lafayette
"I was worried about the disruption to my landscaping, but the Van Matre team took great care to restore everything. Their attention to detail and communication were outstanding."
Homeowner, Denver
Have a story to share?
Drainage and Grading FAQs
Resources and Education
Preventative Maintenance Tips
Check periodically for pooling water near your foundation, clear debris from drain outlets, and monitor your foundation walls for new cracks or efflorescence. Catching small changes early is the most cost-effective form of foundation protection.
Colorado's Unique Drainage Challenges
Clay soils and freeze-thaw cycles make drainage management particularly important on the Front Range. Every solution we install is designed around local soil behavior and climate conditions, not general principles.
If you are noticing signs of foundation movement, alongside drainage problems, the two are often connected.
Learn more about our foundation repair services
Further Reading
Visit our blog for guides, checklists, and practical advice on keeping your property dry and protected.
Foundation Repair Services Across the Colorado Front Range
Van Matre Construction serves homeowners and property owners throughout the Colorado Front Range. Our understanding of Front Range soil conditions, drainage patterns, and local geology comes from decades of hands-on structural work in these specific communities.
Primary service areas: Denver | Boulder
Additional communities served: Lafayette | Louisville | Broomfield | Westminster | Arvada | Longmont | Superior | Erie | Northglenn
Commercial Foundation Repair Services
We have worked in these communities since 2001. If you are unsure whether we serve your area, contact us directly.
Request Your Complimentary Foundation Inspection
If you are seeing signs of foundation movement or water intrusion in your Front Range home, the right next step is understanding exactly what you are dealing with.
We offer complimentary inspections to homeowners across the Boulder, Denver, and broader Front Range area. We will assess your foundation, identify the root cause of any issues, and explain clearly what we find. If nothing needs to be done, we will tell you that too.
No deposit. No obligation. No pressure.
Call us at (303) 668-2222 or complete the form below.
Get Your Free Drainage and Grading Assessment Today
Most Front Range drainage problems are solvable permanently. The first step is understanding exactly what you are dealing with. We offer a complimentary on-site assessment, no obligation, no pressure, and no deposit required.
Permanent Solutions. Guaranteed.
Call us: (303) 668-2222
Lafayette: 214 N 120th Street, Lafayette, CO 80026
Denver: 2644 Columbine St, Denver, CO 80205
Boulder: 7530 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80303