FAQ
How to choose the best company in this field?
The best contractor always works exclusively under an official construction contract. The choice should be based on the company’s ability to provide a detailed estimate (labor and materials separately), the presence of its own professional formwork, and readiness to perform load calculations in accordance with DBN V.2.1-10:2018 after conducting geological surveys of the site.
What to look for before ordering?
First of all, you should check what grades of concrete the company uses (recommended M300/B22.5) and how the reinforcement frame is planned to be built. Be sure to agree on the use of deep vibrators for compacting the concrete, the issue of waterproofing the foundation base, and the schedule for moistening the concrete during the first two weeks after pouring.
Should you trust Google reviews?
Reviews in the Google Business Profile can serve as a basic guideline but should not be the sole criterion. Professional companies are able to provide contacts of real clients or invite the customer to current construction sites to evaluate the production culture and the quality of monolithic works directly on site.
How to check a company’s reputation?
In addition to analyzing reviews and portfolios on the website, checking through analytical systems (for example, YouControl) is a reliable tool. This will reveal the history of management changes, the size of the authorized capital, and, most importantly, the presence of court decisions regarding non-fulfillment of obligations to customers.
What are the signs of a reliable company?
A reliable organization never states the final cost of the foundation “by eye” without visiting the site. It has full-time engineers, provides the client with detailed technical geological reports, does not skimp on the quality of the concrete cover for the rebar (minimum 40 mm), and provides a warranty on the structure for a period of 5 to 10 years.
Why is it important to look at the portfolio?
The portfolio allows evaluating not only the scale of work but also technological details: how clean the trench is before pouring, whether reliable panel formwork is used instead of old boards, and how waterproofing and insulation of the underground part are carried out.
Do I need to compare several companies?
Yes, definitely. It is recommended to order an estimate calculation from at least three different organizations. This will help identify hidden fees or artificially low prices due to the exclusion of important stages, such as installing a sand cushion, tamping, or backfilling.
What mistakes do clients make most often?
The most common mistakes are refusing geological surveys for the sake of savings, agreeing to reduce the depth of foundation laying (the norm for the Kyiv region is 1.2–1.5 m), using cheap cement, lacking control over the distance between rebar, and allowing builders to pour concrete into undrained trenches, which leads to the washing away of cement milk and loss of bearing capacity.