Have you ever looked at a broken appliance and thought to yourself "I bet that can be fixed." If so, you need to make a call to a repairs specialist. Most things can be repaired — you just have to call the right person. There are repair professionals who focus on electronics, others who focus on home components like roofs and gutters, and still others who make repairs to home appliances, exclusively. Help is a phone call away.
Even though someone else is doing the work, however, we do think it's important for you to know a bit about repairs and restoration. That's why we're providing helpful articles on this blog. Fix it to the max — we know you can!
A building's foundation is one of the most important aspects of the construction process. It is what keeps the structure standing and provides support for the weight of the building. The foundation also plays a role in the stability of the building and helps to protect it from the elements.
Many factors affect the cost of foundation construction, and if you're planning on setting up a home or office building, it's important to be aware of them. Here are two determining factors to keep in mind.
The Type of Foundation
The foundation you choose is one of the most important factors affecting foundation cost. The three most common types of foundations are slab, crawl space, and basement.
A slab foundation is the simplest and most economical option. It's created by pouring concrete over a gravel base, and it's typically used in homes built on level ground. This type of foundation requires less labor and materials since there's no need to excavate too much of the ground.
Crawl space foundations are similar to slab foundations, but they're built on a foundation of stilts instead of being poured directly onto the ground.
This foundation is created by building a concrete foundation wall around the perimeter of the building and then placing wooden beams or joists across the top of the wall to support the flooring. It is often used in areas where the ground is not level or is prone to flooding and offers better drainage and ventilation.
A basement foundation is the most expensive option, but it's also the strongest and most durable. A basement foundation is created by excavating a hole in the ground and then pouring concrete walls and flooring to create a space that can be used for storage or living quarters.
While a basement foundation offers the most support and protection, it's also the most labor-intensive and costly option. If you're planning to build on a slope or in an area with a high water table, you may want to consider this foundation type if the cost is within your budget.
Soil Conditions
The type of soil on your property will also affect foundation cost. Soil can be classified as either sandy, silty, or clay. Each soil type has different characteristics that can impact foundation construction.
Sandy soil is the easiest to work with since it drains well and doesn't expand or contract too much. Building a foundation on this soil type is less labor-intensive and requires fewer materials, saving you money.
Silty soil is a little more challenging to work with since it doesn't drain well and can expand or contract more than sandy soil. You'll need more concrete and other materials to build a foundation on this soil type, increasing the overall cost.
Clay soil is the most difficult to work with since it doesn't drain well, expands and contracts a lot, and is prone to shifting. You'll need to use even more concrete and other support materials to build a foundation on this soil type. In addition, the foundation will need to be built with a higher level of precision to ensure that it doesn't settle or shift over time.
If you're not sure what type of soil is on your property, your foundation contractor can test it for you. The soil test cost is usually nominal, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run by helping you choose the right foundation type for your property.
Contact a foundation contractor for more information.