Strip footing / Continuous footing
Sheet under review by our engineersIt's a long, continuous foundation, like a 'strip' of reinforced concrete. It's placed under the load-bearing walls of your house to distribute their weight over a larger ground surface.
Why it matters for your home
This is crucial for your house's stability, especially if it has many walls. A good strip footing prevents cracks in the walls and uneven settlement, ensuring the solidity of the entire structure.
The African context
Widely used in Africa for individual houses. You often see it in areas with stable soil or for single-story constructions. Pay attention to the quality of the concrete and the proper placement of the rebar, which are essential here.
Red flags
- ⚠ The contractor doesn't dig to the same depth everywhere for the foundations.
- ⚠ There are puddles or soft soil in the bottom of the trench before pouring concrete.
- ⚠ The rebar seems very light or is placed directly on the soil.
Questions to ask
- 1. "What are the planned depth and width for the footings?"
- 2. "Has the rebar plan been validated by an engineer?"
- 3. "How do you ensure the soil is well compacted before pouring?"
Cost hint (indicative)
Around 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per linear meter, varying depending on depth, width, and local steel prices.
Related terms
At this stage of your project?
An independent DiasporaBuild inspector can verify on site before you pay.