When building a house, two main types of foundations are used: slab-on-grade or below-grade foundations with a basement slab. Climate, including high water tables, frost lines, harsh winters, and ...

Q. I'm building a deck and have discovered that the wooden posts can't rest on the soil. I need deck piers. What are they, and how are they installed? A. There are very few situations in which you can ...

DEAR TIM: My wife has instructed me that I no longer can put off the deck project. I’ve got the confidence to do all the work above ground, but I’m worried about the deck foundation. What do I need to ...

DEAR TIM: I’ve got a choice to make about my new home. The builder is giving me the option of a poured concrete or concrete block foundation. There’s not a huge difference in price, but I’m more ...

Q: I’m thinking of buying a dilapidated old frame house in the country. It has a stone foundation that seems to me to be too close to the ground. Are stone foundations adequate and strong? Is it ...

Q: I am planning some landscaping that will include a deck. My back yard is level, so the deck will not be built on posts. Is it wise and possible to build a deck flush to the ground? A: Adding a deck ...

Q: I’m concerned about the concrete deck base that is fully above ground at my new home. The other decks in our development have the concrete piers below ground. Shouldn’t the concrete be completely ...

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Q: What kind of foundation ...

Ekedal Concrete, an award-winning contractor in Newport Beach, Calif., builds cast-in-place foundations for multimillion dollar homes. Its success comes from an emphasis on construction quality and ...

Pros and Cons of Buying a House on a Concrete Slab Mark Cussen, CMFC, has 13+ years of experience as a writer and provides financial education to military service members and the public. Mark is an ...