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Your home's foundation is its base, providing its support. Basement, crawl space, and slab are the most common types of foundations. Basement foundations are created by digging into the ground, and pouring concrete or laying concrete blocks in the hole. Rebar is used to support these types of foundation, and the outside of the basement concrete is waterproofed. A wood subfloor finishes out this foundation before the home is built. In warmer, wetter climates a crawlspace foundation is used. Depending on the lot and land layout, the crawlspace is built several feet deep. Concrete footings are placed, and brick and concrete block are used to build up the perimeter and each footing. Moisture blocking material such as poly or pea gravel is used to line the space, and the subfloor is placed on top of the brick and block. Slab foundations are the most inexpensive option. With these foundations, a concrete pad is poured over shallow concrete footings and rough plumbing hook-ups. When placing an addition such as a sunroom or patio, you will need to hire a contractor to place a foundation for the room. Ideally, this foundation should match your existing foundation type. Retaining walls are typically used on a slope to provide a level area above or below the wall for a backyard, pool, driveway, or other area needing a large level space. They can be made of varying materials, including brick, wood rail ties, pavers, and concrete block. Always employ a professional contractor for the installation of retaining walls to ensure proper drainage and structural soundness.

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Finding a Foundation and Retaining Wall Contractor

By Jennifer Weldon

Whether you are adding an addition or outbuilding and need a foundation wall, or are re-grading and landscaping your yard and need a retaining wall, finding a professional contractor to construct these walls can seem challenging. The guidelines below will help you find the right contractor for your needs to ensure a professionally done finished job.

Who to use
Word of mouth is perhaps the best advertising, so use it your advantage. Ask neighbors, friends, and family members who have had recent foundation or retaining walls installed who they used. Drive around your neighborhood looking for similar projects and inquire as to what contractor performed the work. If you have hired a general contractor to complete your project they probably have a foundation contractor they use. Likewise, many landscape contractors will sub out retaining wall work or have someone on staff that specializes in installing them.

Scope of work
Prior to getting a professional foundation or retaining wall contractor to quote your project, have your scope of work laid out. A home addition or outbuilding will need a set of blueprints and the contractor can estimate their work based upon these dimensions. A retaining wall should be laid out on a landscaping plan before any work is started. Having set dimensions, materials, and placement of foundation and retaining walls will ensure your original quoted price is reliable.

Interview
Always have a potential foundation and retaining wall contractor interview with you at your home. It is just as important for the contractor to see the site as to obtain a copy of your blueprints and plans. There may be additional site prep, drainage, or other work that will need to be performed prior to installing the walls. Upon viewing the site, it is also possible that the contractor will have more efficient or feasible suggestions to complete the project.

References
When hiring any contractor to perform home improvement work, you should always ask for references. These should include homeowners who have had recent work completed in your area so that you can drive by the property and view the work. Contact these homeowners and inquire about the contractor's reliability, adherence to schedule and budget, and any other concerns you may have.

Estimate
Get all estimates in writing and be sure they include details of what the estimate includes and/or excludes. Estimates should be as specific as possible so that all expectations are set and you won't find yourself with an incomplete job that is already over budget. Finding a foundation and retaining wall contractor is not as time-consuming as you may fear it to be. By following these simple practices and guidelines, finding a reputable and professional to complete your home remodeling project is a breeze.