If you’re planning on building a new house, breaking ground will start with the foundation contractor. There are three kinds of foundations—full basement, crawlspace, and slab—and the type your home calls for will depend on several factors, including the layout of the house and the climate where you live. Here’s a guide to each, so you’ll know what to expect once construction starts. 

Full Basement

For full basements, foundation contractors start by digging a hole roughly eight feet deep. After leveling the bottom and pouring a concrete slab, they erect beams and walls. Reputable contractors will waterproof the room as they work. Because it’s below ground level, basements are vulnerable to flooding. 

Slab

Slabs are generally the most affordable foundation to erect because they’re the simplest. Composed of a thick concrete pad, a slab is poured at ground level over a gravel layer topped with a plastic sheet to keep out moisture. The pad’s edges are reinforced with beams that may be as much as two feet deep. The rest of the slab can range from four to six inches thick.

Crawlspace

Crawlspace foundations raise structures off the ground without digging out entire basements, thereby saving both time and money during the building process. After creating the hole for the space, builders will line the perimeter with cinderblocks and then seal them against the elements. For optimal energy efficiency, insulating the space is also advisable.

Affordable Concrete & Foundation Repair is a reliable foundation contractor in Chillicothe, OH, that can pour full basements, crawlspaces, and slabs. Serving commercial and residential clients across the area, this locally owned and operated company can ensure your new home gets off to a good start. Using only the highest quality materials and most advanced equipment, their experienced team will erect a sturdy foundation on which the rest of the structure can rest. To learn more about their services, visit their website. To request a quote from this foundation contractor, call (740) 773-0999.