Concrete Foundations & Footings

Why Foundation Work Matters Most

Your foundation is literally what everything else sits on. Whether you're building a new home, adding a room, constructing a garage, or installing a shed, the foundation determines how well that structure performs over time. Poor foundation work leads to settling, cracking, doors that won't close, and expensive repairs down the road.

In Chino Hills, foundation work needs to account for our specific soil conditions and building codes. Many properties have expansive clay soils that swell and shrink with moisture changes. Proper foundation design and construction manages these soil movements to keep your structure stable and level year after year. This isn't work you want to cut corners on or trust to inexperienced contractors.

Foundation Types We Build

Different projects need different foundation approaches. The right choice depends on your building's size and purpose, soil conditions, local codes, and budget.

Common Foundation Systems

• ✓Slab-on-grade foundations for single-story buildings and additions
• ✓Stem wall foundations with perimeter footings
• ✓Pier and beam foundations for uneven terrain
• ✓Continuous footings for load-bearing walls
• ✓Isolated footings for columns and posts

We also pour footings for retaining walls and other structures that need below-grade support. Each foundation type has specific advantages depending on your project requirements and site conditions.

Our Foundation Installation Process

Foundation work starts before we pour any concrete. We begin with soil testing and site evaluation to understand what we're building on. In Chino Hills, this often means dealing with expansive clay that requires specific engineering approaches. We work with structural engineers when needed to ensure foundation designs meet or exceed local code requirements.

Excavation comes next. We dig to the required depth based on your foundation design and soil conditions. In some areas, we need to go deeper to reach stable soil or to get below the frost line. The excavation must be level and properly compacted to provide uniform support.

Footing installation involves setting forms to the correct dimensions, placing rebar reinforcement according to engineering specs, and pouring concrete at the proper strength. We ensure footings are level and positioned correctly because this determines everything that follows. After footings cure, we build stem walls if needed, then pour the slab. Each step gets inspected to verify it meets code before we proceed to the next phase.

What Makes a Foundation Last

Several factors determine foundation performance. Soil bearing capacity tells us how much weight the soil can support and affects footing size. Drainage matters tremendously because water accumulating around foundations causes settling and undermining. We slope grades away from foundations and install proper drainage systems where needed.

Reinforcement sizing and placement must match engineering requirements. Concrete strength needs to meet specifications for your application. Proper curing is essential, especially for foundations that will carry loads soon after installation. We also coordinate with other trades for plumbing sleeves, anchor bolts, and other items that need to be set during the pour.

For room additions and garages, we tie new foundations into existing structures properly. This prevents differential settling that can cause cracks where new meets old. Our experience with various concrete construction projects helps us anticipate and address potential issues before they become problems.

Permits and Code Compliance

Foundation work almost always requires building permits and inspections. We handle the permit process and coordinate inspections at required stages. This includes trench inspections before pouring footings and foundation inspections before backfilling.

Following code isn't optional, and it exists for good reasons. Code requirements for foundation depth, reinforcement, and concrete strength ensure structures remain safe and stable. We stay current with local codes and work with building inspectors to ensure all work passes inspection the first time.