Foundations & Footings

Every structure is only as strong as the ground it sits on, and in Arizona, the ground presents unique challenges. Expansive clay soils, extreme temperature swings, and arid conditions create an environment where foundation work demands specialized knowledge and experience. At Runyon Construction Group, we build concrete foundations and footings for residential projects throughout Greater Phoenix, the East Valley, and Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Our foundation services cover the full range of residential construction needs. We pour slab-on-grade foundations for new homes, room additions, garages, casitas, and accessory structures. We build stem wall foundations for raised floor construction, and we install post and pier footings for shade structures, pergolas, carports, and fencing. Every foundation we build is engineered to meet or exceed local building codes and designed to perform in Arizona’s demanding soil and climate conditions.

Arizona’s expansive soils are the single biggest challenge for foundation construction in the Valley. These clay-rich soils swell when they absorb moisture and shrink when they dry out, creating a cycle of movement that can crack and damage improperly built foundations. Our approach addresses this directly. We work with geotechnical engineers when needed to assess soil conditions and design foundations with appropriate depth, thickness, reinforcement, and moisture management systems.

For standard residential slab foundations, we typically excavate to a depth of 12-18 inches below finish grade, install compacted fill material, lay a vapor barrier, place rebar reinforcement on chairs at specified spacing, and pour concrete at a minimum of 4 inches thick. For larger structures and areas with particularly problematic soils, we use post-tensioned slab designs that distribute loads more effectively and resist cracking.

Stem wall foundations are common for homes built with raised floor construction or on sloped lots. We form and pour concrete stem walls on top of continuous footings, then backfill and compact before the floor slab is poured. This approach allows for crawl space access and provides additional protection against moisture intrusion.

Post and pier footings are the foundation of choice for many outdoor structures. We drill or excavate holes to the required depth, install steel reinforcement, and pour concrete piers that provide solid support for posts and columns. We calculate footing sizes based on the loads they will carry and the bearing capacity of the local soil.

We handle all permitting, inspections, and engineering requirements. Foundation work in Maricopa and Pinal counties requires building permits and multiple inspections, and our team manages the entire process to ensure compliance at every stage.

We have poured foundations across Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, Casa Grande, and communities throughout the region. From small utility building footings to large residential slabs, we bring the same precision and professionalism to every project. Contact Runyon Construction Group today for a free foundation estimate.