Foundation Construction in Palm Beach County, Florida
Professional foundation construction services for residential and commercial buildings throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas. Thum Co. Contractors installs concrete foundations, slab foundations, stem walls, grade beams, and foundation systems designed by structural engineers for South Florida’s soil conditions and building requirements.
Our foundation construction team serves West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and surrounding areas. We work from engineered plans to build solid foundations that support structures safely while meeting Florida Building Code requirements for hurricane-resistant construction.
Call (561) 366-2050 for a free foundation construction estimate in Palm Beach County.
Types of Foundations We Install
Slab-on-Grade Foundations
Monolithic concrete slabs poured directly on prepared ground—the most common foundation type in South Florida. Slab foundations combine floor and foundation in one continuous pour, providing economical and effective support for most residential and light commercial buildings.
We prepare sites properly, install vapor barriers and insulation when specified, place reinforcement per engineering plans, pour concrete to proper thickness, and finish surfaces appropriately for flooring installation throughout Palm Beach County.
Stem Wall Foundations
Foundations combining perimeter concrete walls (stem walls) with interior slabs. Stem walls support building perimeters while interior slabs provide floor surfaces. This foundation type works well where grade differences exist or where perimeter support requirements exceed slab capacity.
We install stem wall foundations following structural engineering specifications, coordinating proper reinforcement, anchor placement, and elevation control.
Grade Beam Foundations
Deep foundation systems using grade beams supported by piles or piers extending to load-bearing strata below unsuitable surface soils. Grade beams span between support points, transferring building loads to deep foundations.
Grade beam systems work throughout Palm Beach County where surface soils won’t support conventional foundations or where high loads require deep foundation support.
Elevated Foundations
Foundations raising buildings above grade for flood protection or other requirements. Elevated foundations may use stem walls with raised slabs, structural supports, or specialized systems meeting flood zone requirements.
Coastal areas and flood zones throughout South Florida often require elevated construction. We coordinate foundation work with structural requirements for elevated buildings.
Commercial Foundations
Larger commercial buildings require foundation systems handling significant loads, accommodating mechanical systems, and meeting specific structural requirements. Commercial foundations range from reinforced slabs to complex systems with grade beams, pile caps, and structural supports.
We install commercial foundations working from structural engineering plans throughout Palm Beach County.
Foundation Construction Process
1. Site Preparation
We verify site grades match foundation plans, ensure proper drainage slopes, confirm building pad compaction, and prepare surfaces for foundation installation following excavation and site work completion.
2. Layout and Excavation
We stake foundation perimeters per plans, excavate footings to specified depths and widths, maintain square and level excavations, and prepare for inspection and concrete placement.
3. Footing Reinforcement Installation
We place rebar and reinforcement per structural engineering specifications, maintain proper spacing and coverage, install anchor bolts at specified locations, and prepare for footing inspection.
4. Footing Inspection
Palm Beach County building departments inspect footing excavations and reinforcement before concrete placement. We coordinate inspections and address any required corrections.
5. Footing Concrete Placement
We pour concrete into prepared footings, ensure proper consolidation around reinforcement, finish surfaces level for stem wall or slab placement, and implement proper curing procedures.
6. Stem Wall or Slab Preparation
For stem walls, we build forms to proper dimensions and elevations, install reinforcement, and prepare for concrete. For slabs, we prepare subgrade, install vapor barriers and insulation, place reinforcement, and set forms.
7. Slab or Stem Wall Inspection
Additional inspections verify reinforcement placement before concrete placement in slabs or stem walls throughout Palm Beach County.
8. Concrete Placement and Finishing
We coordinate concrete delivery, place concrete following proper procedures, finish surfaces appropriately for intended use (rough finish for tile, smoother for other flooring), and implement curing procedures for South Florida climate.
9. Anchor Bolt and Embedded Item Installation
We install anchor bolts, hold-downs, embedded plates, and other items required for framing connections, ensuring proper placement, embedment, and elevation.
10. Final Inspection
Building departments perform final foundation inspections verifying completed work meets approved plans and code requirements before framing begins.
Foundation Design Considerations for South Florida
Soil Conditions
Palm Beach County soils range from sandy to organic (muck) to limestone. Foundation design accounts for bearing capacity, settlement potential, and soil characteristics through engineering analysis and soil testing.
We work from engineered foundation designs appropriate for specific soil conditions throughout South Florida.
High Water Table
Water table elevations affect foundation design and construction. Dewatering may be necessary during construction. Vapor barriers and waterproofing protect foundations from moisture in high water table areas common throughout Palm Beach County.
Hurricane Resistance
Florida Building Code requires foundations designed for hurricane wind loads. This means adequate reinforcement, proper anchor bolt sizing and spacing, and connections capable of resisting uplift and lateral forces.
We install foundations meeting South Florida’s stringent wind resistance requirements.
Flood Zone Requirements
Properties in flood zones may require elevated foundations, specific construction methods, or flood-resistant materials. We coordinate foundation work with flood zone requirements throughout coastal Palm Beach County.
Foundation Materials and Specifications
Concrete Strength: Engineers specify concrete strength (typically 3,000-4,000 psi for residential, higher for commercial). We use concrete meeting specified strengths and appropriate for South Florida exposure conditions.
Reinforcement: Rebar size, spacing, and placement follow structural engineering specifications. Proper reinforcement is critical for hurricane resistance and structural performance.
Anchor Bolts: Foundation-to-framing connections use anchor bolts sized and spaced per engineering requirements. We install anchors at proper spacing and embedment depths.
Vapor Barriers: Polyethylene sheeting under slabs prevents moisture transmission from ground. Proper installation prevents moisture problems in finished buildings.
Insulation: Under-slab insulation may be specified for energy efficiency. We install insulation per plans when required.
Quality Control and Testing
Foundation construction includes quality control measures:
Reinforcement Inspection: Verifying rebar placement, spacing, and coverage before concrete placement.
Concrete Testing: Slump tests verify proper concrete consistency. Strength tests (cylinder breaks) confirm concrete meets specified strengths.
Dimensional Verification: Checking foundation dimensions, elevations, and anchor positions match plans.
Inspection Documentation: Maintaining records of inspections, tests, and approvals throughout foundation construction in Palm Beach County.
Common Foundation Problems We Prevent
Inadequate Reinforcement: Following engineering specifications prevents structural deficiencies.
Poor Concrete Consolidation: Proper placement and vibration ensures concrete fills around reinforcement without voids.
Incorrect Elevations: Careful surveying and grade control maintains proper foundation elevations.
Improper Anchor Installation: Accurate placement and installation ensures proper framing connections.
Settlement Issues: Proper site preparation and compaction prevents differential settlement throughout Palm Beach County.
Coordination with Other Trades
Foundation construction coordinates with:
Site Work Contractors: Building pads, drainage, and grading must be complete before foundation work.
Plumbing Contractors: Under-slab plumbing rough-in coordinates with foundation construction timing.
Electrical Contractors: Conduits and boxes embedded in slabs require coordination with concrete placement.
Framers: Foundation completion and inspection must occur before framing begins.
We coordinate all required trades throughout foundation construction projects in South Florida.
Permits and Inspections
Foundation construction requires:
- Structural engineering plans
- Building permits
- Footing excavation inspection
- Footing reinforcement inspection
- Slab or stem wall reinforcement inspection
- Final foundation inspection before framing
We handle all inspection coordination ensuring timely approvals throughout Palm Beach County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does foundation construction cost? Foundation costs vary based on building size, design complexity, soil conditions, and reinforcement requirements. Residential slab foundations typically range $8-$15 per square foot. Contact us at (561) 366-2050 for a quote based on your engineering plans.
How long does foundation construction take? Simple residential foundations typically take 5-10 days from excavation through final inspection. Larger or more complex foundations may take 2-3 weeks. Timeline depends on size, inspections, and curing requirements.
Do I need a structural engineer? Yes, all foundation construction in Palm Beach County requires structural engineering plans. Engineers design foundations for soil conditions, building loads, and Florida Building Code requirements including hurricane resistance.
What is rebar and why is it needed? Rebar (reinforcing bar) is steel reinforcement embedded in concrete providing tensile strength. Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension—rebar provides necessary tensile capacity and ductility.
Can you build in high water table areas? Yes, foundations can be built in high water table areas using dewatering during construction, waterproofing, and designs accounting for water table elevations common throughout Palm Beach County.
What happens if it rains during construction? We protect excavations from rain, pump standing water before concrete placement, and may delay pours if significant rain threatens. Once concrete is placed, light rain doesn’t harm properly finished surfaces.
How long before framing can start? Concrete typically reaches sufficient strength for framing loads within 3-7 days depending on weather and mix design. Final inspection approval is also required before framing begins.
What if soil conditions differ from expectations? If unexpected soil conditions appear during excavation, we notify engineers who may modify foundation design. This sometimes requires additional work but ensures safe, code-compliant foundations.
Related Services
Foundation construction often involves additional work:
- Excavation & Site Work – Site preparation
- Building Pad Construction – Pad preparation
- Concrete Construction – Complete concrete work
Get Your Foundation Construction Estimate
Ready to build a foundation in Palm Beach County? Contact Thum Co. Contractors for professional foundation construction from your engineered plans.
Call (561) 366-2050 for foundation construction.
Thum Co. Contractors 468 Tall Pines Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Licensed building contractors providing foundation construction throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas since 2017.