02 What's Included
Foundations and slabs, sized to what they carry.
Whether it's a slab-on-grade for a shed, an ADU foundation, or footings for a home addition, we start with soil prep and compaction, place a vapor barrier under living-space slabs to control moisture intrusion, and reinforce with rebar or, on larger projects over expansive soil, post-tension cable systems.
Structural work is poured to a higher-strength mix than typical flatwork — usually 3000–4000+ PSI depending on the engineering requirements — and finished to the tolerances your framing or structure needs to sit level and square.
03 How We Do It
Our foundation & slab process.
STEP 01
Soil evaluation
Assess soil conditions and confirm whether a geotechnical report is needed.
STEP 02
Excavate & form
Excavate to plan depth, set forms, and place vapor barrier where required.
STEP 03
Reinforce & pour
Place rebar or post-tension cable per the engineered plan, then pour and finish.
STEP 04
Cure & inspect
Cure to strength and pass the required inspections before framing begins.
04 San Diego Considerations
Why expansive soil changes foundation design here.
Parts of San Diego County sit on expansive clay soils that swell and shrink significantly with moisture changes — enough to crack a standard slab foundation if it's not designed for it. That's why post-tensioned slabs are common for new construction and additions in these areas, and why a soils report often drives the final foundation design rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
For ADUs and additions specifically, we coordinate foundation design with your structural plans so the finished slab matches exactly what your framing package expects, avoiding costly field changes mid-project.
05 Permits & Timeline
What to expect before and after the pour.
Permits are standard
Structural foundation work requires a building permit and typically an inspection before and after the pour.
Soils report, when needed
Additions and ADUs on expansive soil often require a geotechnical report to finalize the design — we help coordinate this.
7 days to form removal
Concrete reaches enough strength to remove forms in about 7 days, with full strength around 28 days.
06 Keeping It Sound
What to watch for after your foundation is in.
Keep grading and drainage sloping away from the foundation perimeter — water pooling against a foundation over years is one of the more common causes of later settlement or cracking issues, even on a well-built slab.
Watch for new cracking, doors or windows that start sticking, or visible gaps forming at foundation lines — these can be early signs of soil movement worth having evaluated before they become bigger structural concerns.
Need a plumbing, drain, or utility line routed through an existing slab? Our concrete cutting services page covers slab openings and trenching for approved layouts — note that post-tension slabs require scanning and evaluation before any cutting.
"Kept our project on schedule with solid communication, and everything passed inspection without issue."
— David T.
"Gustavo poured a few concrete slabs for us and did an excellent job."
— Linda G.
07 FAQ
Foundation and slab questions we get most.
Do I need a soils report for my foundation?
Often yes for ADUs, additions, or new construction, especially on known expansive soil. We'll tell you upfront if your project needs one before design can be finalized.
What's the difference between a standard slab and a post-tensioned slab?
A post-tensioned slab uses tensioned steel cables instead of (or in addition to) standard rebar, which resists cracking from expansive soil movement better than conventional reinforcement alone.
How long until I can start framing on a new foundation?
Typically once the concrete passes inspection and reaches sufficient strength, usually within about a week, though your engineer's specifications govern the exact timeline.
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