Footer question???

[Graham08]

I'm getting quotes for foundation work on a 36' x 64' shop. I'm planning on stick building, and want a 48" deep footer to build the walls on. Two of the three contractors I've talked to want to pour the footer extra thick to eliminate several courses of block. For the sake of the conversation, contractor #1 wants to pour the footer 16" wide x 24" thick to eliminate two courses of block below ground, and contractor #3 wants to pour the footer 16" wide x 40" thick and only have one course of block below ground, two above.

Is this standard practice? I've never heard of this before.

They're talking about digging a 16" wide trench and floating concrete to the necessary depth. not forming it up. Both quotes include two runs of #5 rebar around the perimeter, toward the bottom of the trench.

 

[tdkkart]

Around here it's done one of two ways, neither involving block.

1. Trench dug approx. 12" wide and 48" deep with only the above ground portion formed to final shape, complete wall/footing done in one pour.

2. Trench/hole dug 48" deep, 4-6" thick x 12" "footing" poured and finished in the bottom. After the footing is cured the stem wall is formed and poured to final shape.

Not sure why it is, but we rarely see block construction here, except on an occasional commercial building. Seems to be a regional thing.

 

[blkhonda1991]

its clearly a cost/labor issue, find out what it would cost to do it both ways, hes probably suggesting pouring a thicker footing to save labor but charge you the same, id ask what it would cost to do both options. are you required to do a 4' deep footing? here in CT we are at 42" typically

 

[Mattlt]

The trench footing would also eliminate some backfilling costs.

 

[Alchymist]

Rule of thumb for masonry work: Footer thickness equal to thickness of wall, width 2X depth. Example - 8" block wall - footer is 8" thick X 16 " wide.

 

[Graham08]

Thanks for all the replies.

its clearly a cost/labor issue, find out what it would cost to do it both ways, hes probably suggesting pouring a thicker footing to save labor but charge you the same, id ask what it would cost to do both options. are you required to do a 4' deep footing? here in CT we are at 42" typically

Actually, contractor #1 quoted this a couple ways, and the 24" thick poured footer was cheaper by a few hundred bucks than a 8" thick footer and the additional two courses of block.

 

[SteelHorseHD]

I have a 36 x 45 Building. It is a post frame but I built some metal brackets to bolt to the concrete to hold my posts. My footings are 40" deep by 12" wide. I don't have any block in mine it's all concrete. They poured the footings 40" and left the re-bar sticking up and bent towards the center of the slab (typical layout around my area) Then they poured the concrete slab 4" thick all the way around and over the top of the footings. The only downfall is I don't have a rat wall but it doesn't bother me that much. I would try and stay away from the block but that's just my opinion.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd rather have the concrete over the block, especially if it's cheaper.

 

[wssix99]

Check in to an ICF foundation. With the ease of install, you might get a stronger wall with a lower labor cost. You will also have a wide selection of widths to build on top of.