Where does concrete & foundations fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Concrete & Foundations
Planned for the home you live in, with the work done in order and the site kept clean.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Concrete & Foundations
Included in the full new-build plan, with the trades coordinated under one lead.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Concrete & Foundations
Scheduled around occupancy, built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For high-rise buildings: Concrete & Foundations
Planned for vertical access, fire separation, sound and the building schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For renovations: Concrete & Foundations
Scoped with the rest of the renovation so the trades work in the right order.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Concrete & Foundations
Footings, foundation walls and slabs poured and cured to the engineer's design, the base that everything else sits on.
How this guide works
The foundation carries the whole building. Footings, reinforcement, mix and curing are checked before the structure goes on top. Work through the decisions in order.
Decision 1: Where concrete is used
Concrete goes into footings, foundation walls, basement slabs, garages, pads and commercial structures. Each has its own load and exposure.
| Use | Typical concrete work | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| New houses and additions | Footings, walls, basement slab | Frost depth, load, drainage |
| Garages and pads | Slab on grade | Thickness, control joints, slope |
| Commercial | Footings, walls, slabs | Load, engineering, inspections |
Our pick: Concrete is engineered. The drawings set the size, the mix and the reinforcement.
Decision 2: Footing depth and frost
Footings sit below the frost line so the ground does not heave them in winter. The depth depends on the site and the code.
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Footing depth | Below the frost depth for the site |
| Bearing soil | Tested or confirmed by the engineer |
| Drainage at the footing | Clear, sloped away |
Our pick: Footing depth is the first thing to get right. A shallow footing heaves.
Decision 3: Mix and strength
The mix and the strength decide how the concrete performs. Exposure to freezing and salt needs air entrainment and a suitable mix.
| Exposure | Mix need |
|---|---|
| Foundation below grade | Standard foundation mix with damp-proofing |
| Exposed to freeze-thaw and salt | Air-entrained, higher strength |
| Slab in a garage | Air-entrained, sealed |
Our pick: Use the mix the exposure needs. Air-entrained concrete lasts longer in the GTA winter.
Decision 4: Reinforcement and joints
Rebar carries the tension, and control joints let the slab move without cracking in random places.
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rebar in walls and footings | Carries the tension |
| Mesh or fibre in slabs | Controls shrinkage cracking |
| Control joints | Cracks where you choose |
Our pick: Place the rebar and joints to the drawings. They decide where the concrete cracks, if it does.
Decision 5: Curing and winter work
Concrete gains strength over time. It needs moisture and temperature control, and winter pours need heating and protection.
| Condition | Action |
|---|---|
| Warm weather | Keep moist, cover |
| Cold weather | Heat and blankets, to the mix temperature |
| First month | Protect from load and traffic |
Our pick: Follow the cure. Early loading is the most common cause of weak concrete.
Decision 6: Warning signs and timing
Concrete problems show as cracks, scaling and movement. The type and the width of the crack tell you whether it is cosmetic or structural.
| Sign | Act by |
|---|---|
| Hairline surface cracks | Monitoring and sealing |
| Widening or horizontal cracks | Engineering check before any repair |
| Scaling or spalling surface | Checking the mix and the exposure |
Our pick: Measure and monitor a widening crack. Structural cracks need engineering, not a patch.
Decision 7: Permits and inspection
Foundations and structural slabs are inspected at the footing and the pour stages. Garage and driveway slabs usually need no permit.
| Scope | Check |
|---|---|
| Footings and foundation walls | Permit and inspection at the stages |
| Structural slab | Engineering and inspection |
| Driveway or patio slab | Usually no permit |
Our pick: Book the footing inspection before the concrete is poured. The inspection is part of the pour.
Decision 8: Coordination with the other trades
Concrete sets the level and the base for the framing, the waterproofing and the drainage. Its finish decides how those trades start.
| Trade | What concrete gives them |
|---|---|
| Framing | Level, square and cured foundation |
| Waterproofing | Clean, cured surface |
| Plumbing | Sleeves and drain penetrations set before the pour |
| Landscape | Grade and drainage set around the slab |
Our pick: Set the sleeves and penetrations before the pour. Cutting a finished slab is costly.
Decision 9: Warranty and maintenance
Concrete lasts with the drainage kept away from it and the joints sealed. Salt and freeze-thaw are the main enemies.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Joints | Sealed and checked yearly |
| Surface | Sealed in the GTA climate |
| Salt use | Kept light on new concrete |
Our pick: Seal the joints and keep salt use light on new concrete. It protects the surface through winter.
Questions
How long does concrete take to cure?
It gains most of its strength in the first month, and we follow the cure time before the next stage.
Do you pour in winter?
Winter pours need heating and protection. We plan it when the weather requires it.
Is the foundation inspected?
Yes, at the stages the municipality requires.
Talk to the Plug
Tell us the project, the drawings and the site. We check the footings, the mix and the cure, and book the inspections at each stage.
Related: FramingExcavationAll contracting
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