Foundation Questions

[Caddis295]

Need some input on the foundation for my garage. I am having a 28 x 62 garage pad poured. I need a small foundation wall poured, approx 4'.

So, the quotes come in and I am floored!

I have received few bids in the 11K range, but they want to do a cinder block wall instead of poured concrete wall.

Is a block wall acceptable for foundation or should I hold out for a poured foundation.


Regards,

Dino

 

[Stuart in MN]

Where are you located? Prices vary depending on what state or country you're in. Does the price include the foundation walls and the slab? Does it include the excavation, grading and fill? There isn't necessarily anything wrong with using concrete block instead of poured concrete, it may depend on local custom.

 

[Caddis295]

I live in Georgia. The quotes are for both the wall and slab including back fill.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

There's nothing really wrong with a block wall- the questionable part is the load that will be on it. But even that can be overcome depending on design criteria.

Then again, if you want poured wall spec' poured wall.

If I were quoting the job, I'd quote what the customer wants. Then "suggest" alternatives based on customer's budget.
I've even done monolithic with up to 4' deep sections.

 

[RedBKM]

Is your wall going to be conventional framing or block? My building is block so I used block all the way to the footing. In my area most framed garages use a monolithic pour. Footings and floor poured at once. There is extra cost in forming it all but you may be able to do that yourself.

Are you wanting 4' above your floor level like a knee wall or 4' off the footing to the floor level?

A few numbers I remember from my 30x60 with block foundation wall:
33 yards of concrete in floor - 3360
10 yards of concrete in footing - 1020
35 tons of gravel backfill - 550
Block (material and labor) - 2.50 per block

 

[Zeke]

Above grade I'd do block grouted solid with plenty of rebar. It just makes sense over forming 4' high. As a lower wall section against earth, I'd favor a placed in form concrete wall. IMO, block should be 2" wider than concrete. YMMV.

 

[OldNeons]

The slab alone is half of the $11k, figuring 1800 sq ft at $3/ sq ft. Then add trenching, footings, block, etc.... Your bid doesn't sound out of line to me....

 

[Cyberbear]

Be sure to properly seal the exterior of the wall if you decide on the block if soil will be back filled against the outside. Many contractors will opt for block because it does not require any forms, but be sure to use lots of steel and fill the block voids with concrete for ultimate strength.

 

[70redbee]

Never did understand it! Why save the cost of a concrete wall with a block wall, then putting in rebar and filing the block with concrete. If you want a concrete wall, then pour a concrete wall. There is more cost and work involved in filling the block than pouring a concrete wall in the first place. Sometimes I just laugh at some of the things guys suggest on here that I guarantee they wouldn't do themselves but find it easy to tell someone else how to do it, armchair quarterbacks are everywhere. Easy to spend someone else's money but not there own on some silly idea. At the same time, there are certain places that need to be filled on block walls but not the entire wall. Just my opinion, so let me have it!