Pier and Beam Foundation

What This Service Involves

A pier-and-beam foundation carries the house on a grid of concrete piers topped by beams, rather than on continuous walls or a slab. We pour footings and piers to the engineer's spacing, set posts and girders, and frame the floor above an open, ventilated crawlspace. This system adapts well to sloped and variable lots throughout Western Washington and keeps plumbing and wiring easy to reach for future work. Moisture control at the ground plane and proper post-to-beam connections keep the framing dry and seismically sound. The elevated design lifts living space above damp ground and improves airflow underneath.

Benefits

Home supported on an engineered grid of piers and beams; Open, ventilated crawlspace with easy utility access; Adapts to the sloped, uneven lots common locally; Framing kept above damp ground for better airflow; Seismic post-to-beam connections detailed to plan

Our Process

1) Lay out and pour footings and piers at engineered spacing; 2) Set posts and beams with correct connections and bearing; 3) Frame the floor system over the ventilated crawlspace; 4) Detail ground moisture control and pass inspection

What Affects the Cost

Number and spacing of piers the design requires; Beam and post sizing for the spans and loads; Site slope and the excavation each pier needs; Crawlspace height, venting, and moisture control; Access for equipment on tight or sloped lots

Best Time of Year

Pier and footing pours are timed around drier conditions, while the elevated design itself helps the home shed the region's wet ground.