Concrete Foundations

Provide the issued foundation drawings, structural schedules, geotechnical report, site plan, survey information, expected start date, excavation responsibility, groundwater information, concrete testing requirements, and any owner-supplied embeds. Harrowgate uses these documents to confirm quantities, access, pour sequence, temporary works, exclusions, and the inspection path before pricing.

The geotechnical consultant reviews exposed bearing material at the required elevation and identifies unsuitable, disturbed, frozen, or softened zones. Harrowgate keeps the bearing surface visible and protected for that review, completes directed removals or replacements, and records the release before forms, reinforcing, or concrete conceal the founding conditions.

The structural engineer and exposure requirements establish the mix. Many foundation schedules fall between 25 and 35 MPa at 28 days, but groundwater, sulphates, freezing, chlorides, permeability, and load can change the requirement. Harrowgate orders the exact class, strength, air, aggregate, and other performance criteria shown in the contract documents.

Yes. Harrowgate removes snow and ice, prevents placement against frozen subgrade, heats or encloses the work when required, checks delivered concrete temperature, and maintains the specified protection and curing environment. The winter plan covers backup heat, fuel, monitoring, blanket or enclosure layout, and response if weather changes during the pour.

Stripping and backfill depend on achieved concrete strength, member geometry, temperature history, the engineer's requirements, and whether the wall has its permanent lateral support. Harrowgate coordinates test results and releases, removes forms without damaging edges, completes required surface and membrane work, then places balanced backfill in controlled lifts.

We use surveyed templates, rigid bracing, independent supports where practical, and pre-pour dimension checks. During placement, concrete is directed and vibrated so it does not push the assembly. Critical coordinates and projections are checked again before initial set, allowing correction while the concrete remains workable and preserving the structural steel or equipment interface.

Yes. Harrowgate self-performs and manages the foundation sequence, including layout support, excavation trimming, granular preparation, forming, reinforcing placement, embed coordination, concrete placement, vibration, curing, form removal, and coordinated backfill. We integrate engineer, testing, survey, and municipal hold points into the field plan across the GTA and Ontario.