Technology

5 min

read

Foundation types and why soil matters

Why a geotechnical survey is the cheapest decision you will make.

Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis

Chief Engineer

Construction worker inspects rebar on a building site

Start with the soil

Every foundation design starts with a geotechnical report. Drilling a few test borings tells us how strong the soil is, where the groundwater sits and what kind of foundation the building needs.

Common foundation types

  • Spread footings for strong, shallow soil

  • Mat foundations for heavy buildings on weaker soil

  • Drilled piers or piles when good soil is deep below

“Skipping the soil survey is the most expensive way to save money.”

A survey usually costs less than one percent of the project, and it removes the biggest unknown from your budget.

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