When we talk about house construction, we know how important the foundation is. A solid foundation can make a huge difference in the house condition, as it supports the entire structure by transferring the weight of the home to the ground. A house foundation typically used in modern residential construction consists of three types—slab, crawl space, and basement. They are considered based on the properties of your construction site, such as soil type, water table depth, and slope.

In this article, we’ll tackle the factors to consider for the construction of your house foundation. Keep on reading to learn more.

1. The foundation design

The construction of your foundation all kicks off with a design. It is your engineer who will make the design based on a handful of factors. These key factors include the soil condition, the slope of the land, and the weight of the house. Before your engineer takes the plunge into designing, soil testing has to be made. The soil report showing the bearing capacity and reactivity level to moisture will then determine your engineer’s design decision.

2. The soil classification

It’s vital to know the soil classification for the design and construction of your foundation. This classification will help the engineer determine the depth of foundation, the grade of steel to use, and the strength of concrete to be utilized. Take note of the following:

• A – Stable non-reactive sand and rock sites: They usually have little to no ground movement from moisture changes.
• S – Slightly reactive clay sites: They may experience only slight ground movement from moisture changes.
• M – Moderately reactive clay or silt sites: They may experience moderate ground movement from moisture changes.
• H1- Highly reactive clay sites: They may experience high ground movement from moisture changes.
• H2 – Highly reactive clay sites: They may experience very high ground movement from moisture changes.
• E – Extremely reactive sites: They may experience extreme ground movement from moisture changes
• P – Problem soil: They have inadequate bearing strength, where ground movement may be significantly affected by factors other than reactive soil movements due to normal moisture conditions.

3. Soil testing

Soil testing is primarily meant to examine the soil classification that will determine the construction project of your foundation. Testing is performed by taking samples of the soil at a number of locations across the site. The samples are then tested in a laboratory and classified into the categories based on the Australian standard 2870. A soil report is then generated and sent to the engineer for review. As mentioned, the purpose of the soil report is to test the bearing capacity of the soil and what level of reactivity the soil will have to moisture conditions. From there, a foundation plan and design are established.

4. Overall foundation cost

A crucial part of the overall equation is the foundation cost. For the most part, a foundation is charged at a cost per square meter. However, other associated costs need to be considered, such as the installation of drainage, heating and sealing. It’s best to consider everything you need for your house foundation upfront to help you save up in the long run once the house has been built.

Ensuring the stability of your house foundation is imperative. For a solid foundation, make sure to factor in the foundation design, the soil classification, soil testing, and the overall foundation cost as outlined above. Ultimately, it is your engineer or builder who will implement the design based on the soil conditions and plans.

We are a custom home builder serving Richmond Hill and the GTA with over 20 years of collective experience. If you are looking to construct a solid foundation for your house, get in touch with us to see how we can help!