For stability and safety, every building requires a solid foundation. The problem that arises with this part of a construction project is that some people do not realize that foundations are not all alike. No foundation should be poured without first taking into consideration the type, size and dimensions of the building. This process involves complex decisions such as the positioning of rebar, the size of the piers required and where the wire mesh will be used. Creating a foundation without first having this information could amount to a massive waste of resources. If it does not suit the structure, the foundation will have to be redone.
Working out Concrete Costs
Pouring the slab for steel building construction is an expensive process, so mistakes can be costly. The challenge faced by project managers and other stakeholders is that they cannot get a copy of the engineering plans until the completion of the steel building purchase. The plans are essential for getting bids from concrete contractors for pouring the foundation. The foundation engineer will need the engineering plans to be able to make plans for the building’s foundation. However, experienced concrete contractors work out a rough estimate based on the proposed square footage of the building. This will change once the plans are completed, but it will provide an idea of the cost of pouring, anchor bolts and the labor.
Using an Existing Slab
If your building site already has a slab in place, this does not mean that your foundation work is already done. In fact, there are two associated costs here. One is for the foundation engineering that will outline how much the existing slab needs to be modified to accommodate the new steel building. The other cost is for the modification work itself. Naturally, the quality of the slab is a crucial factor in determining whether it will be used at all. It may be necessary to cut into the slab to use the new piers recommended by the foundation engineer. Another option is set the piers on the outside of the current slab. This may require some changes to the building plans. It is important that these changes do not affect code compliance or delays in the completion of the project.
Pouring the foundation for a steel building is a challenging affair. Looking at sample foundation plans can be helpful in learning about what it entails.