Concrete Footings for Commercial Buildings: Types, Depth & Cost

Oct 20

When planning a commercial construction project, one of the most important structural components is often the one you never see after construction: the concrete footing.

Commercial concrete footings provide the structural support needed to transfer building loads safely into the ground. Whether you're constructing a warehouse, manufacturing facility, agricultural building, office space, or pre-engineered metal building (PEMB), properly designed and installed footings are essential to long-term structural performance.

For general contractors, developers, and building owners, understanding footing types, depth requirements, and construction costs can help improve project planning, reduce unexpected expenses, and keep construction schedules moving forward.

At Evenson Concrete Systems (ECS), we understand that successful commercial foundation construction begins long before concrete is poured.

This guide explores the different types of commercial concrete footings, what determines their depth, the factors influencing costs, and what project teams should consider before construction begins.

Inside the Blog:

What Are Commercial Concrete Footings?

Commercial concrete footings are structural foundation elements designed to distribute loads from a building into the supporting soil or engineered ground.

They typically sit beneath foundation walls, columns, or other load-bearing structural components. Their size, shape, reinforcement, and depth depend on the building's design and site conditions.

Unlike a concrete slab, which often serves as a floor surface, footings are specifically engineered to support structural loads.

A properly designed footing system helps:

Distribute structural loads across suitable bearing areas.
Limit excessive or uneven settlement.
Support columns, walls, and other structural elements.
Accommodate site-specific soil conditions.
Provide a stable foundation for long-term building performance.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) publishes structural concrete standards and technical resources used throughout the construction industry.

For commercial projects, footing dimensions and reinforcement should always follow the approved structural design and applicable building codes.

1. Common Types of Commercial Concrete Footings

Different buildings require different foundation systems. Understanding the most common footing types helps general contractors evaluate construction requirements and coordinate with engineers.

Spread Footings

Spread footings, sometimes called isolated footings, are commonly used beneath individual structural columns.

They distribute concentrated column loads over a larger soil area and are frequently found in warehouses, industrial facilities, and steel-framed commercial buildings.

Their dimensions depend on column loads, allowable soil-bearing pressure, and structural design requirements.

Continuous Footings

Continuous footings, also known as strip footings, extend beneath load-bearing walls or other continuous structural elements.

They distribute loads along the length of a wall rather than supporting a single concentrated point.

These systems may be used beneath commercial foundation walls, masonry walls, and other structural applications.

Combined Footings

Combined footings support two or more columns using one shared foundation element.

They may be specified when columns are closely spaced or when property boundaries and other site restrictions make individual spread footings impractical.

Mat Foundations

A mat foundation, also called a raft foundation, uses a large reinforced concrete element to distribute loads from multiple columns or walls across a broad area.

These systems may be considered when soil conditions, structural loads, or settlement concerns make conventional individual footings less practical.

Deep Foundation Systems

Some commercial buildings require piles, drilled shafts, or other deep foundation systems to transfer loads to deeper supporting materials.

These are different from conventional shallow footings and require specialized engineering and construction methods.

The appropriate system must be selected by the project's design professionals.

2. How Deep Should Commercial Concrete Footings Be?

One of the most common questions during foundation planning is: How deep do commercial concrete footings need to be?

There is no universal depth that applies to every commercial building.

Footing depth depends on several factors, including soil conditions, frost protection, structural loads, site elevations, groundwater, and the approved engineering design.

Soil Conditions

Soil-bearing capacity is one of the most important considerations.

A geotechnical investigation helps engineers understand the site's subsurface conditions and evaluate whether the soil can support the proposed structure.

Weak, compressible, or variable soils may require deeper excavations, ground improvement, larger footings, or alternative foundation systems.

Frost Depth in Minnesota

In Minnesota, freezing temperatures make frost protection a critical part of foundation planning.

When moisture in susceptible soils freezes, the resulting frost heave can cause movement that affects foundations.

Depending on the building design and applicable code requirements, footings may need to extend below the design frost depth or use an approved frost-protection strategy.

General contractors should verify project-specific requirements with the structural engineer and local building authority rather than assuming a single footing depth applies statewide.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry provides information about Minnesota's construction codes and building requirements.

Structural Loads

A warehouse with heavy storage systems may have different foundation demands than a small commercial office building.

Column loads, building height, equipment loads, and structural framing all influence footing design.

Groundwater and Drainage

Groundwater conditions can affect excavation, dewatering, concrete placement, and construction sequencing.

Proper planning helps address these challenges before foundation work begins.

3. What Determines Commercial Concrete Footing Size?

Footing depth is only one part of the design.

Footing width, length, thickness, and reinforcement must also be determined based on structural requirements.

Engineers typically evaluate building loads, soil-bearing capacity, settlement, material strengths, and applicable code provisions.

For example, a steel-framed industrial building may require isolated reinforced footings beneath columns, while a building with load-bearing walls may use continuous footings.

General Contractor Tip: Make sure structural drawings, geotechnical reports, and foundation details are coordinated before requesting final concrete pricing.

Incomplete foundation information can create uncertainty during bidding and lead to additional costs when details change.

4. How Much Do Commercial Concrete Footings Cost?

The cost of commercial concrete footings varies significantly based on the project.

There is no reliable universal price per square foot or per footing because commercial foundation requirements can differ substantially.

A small isolated footing and a heavily reinforced industrial foundation may have very different costs, even if their visible dimensions appear similar.

Several factors influence the final price.

Excavation and Site Preparation

Excavation depth, soil conditions, equipment access, and disposal requirements can significantly affect costs.

Rock excavation, unsuitable soils, groundwater, or limited site access may increase the amount of work required.

Concrete Quantities

Larger and deeper footings generally require more concrete.

Specified concrete strength, durability requirements, and placement conditions can also influence material pricing.

Reinforcement

Steel reinforcement helps footings resist structural forces as designed.

Reinforcement quantities, bar sizes, placement complexity, and installation labor all contribute to project costs.

Formwork and Labor

Some footing installations require extensive forming, while others may use excavation configurations permitted by the approved design and site conditions.

Labor requirements depend on footing complexity, construction sequencing, and site accessibility.

Weather Conditions

Cold-weather concrete construction may require additional protection, heating, monitoring, or schedule adjustments.

These considerations are especially relevant for Minnesota projects planned during late fall, winter, or early spring.

For additional information about concrete materials and construction practices, visit the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA).

5. Why Site Preparation Matters Before Pouring Footings

Proper site preparation is essential for successful commercial foundation construction.

Before placing concrete, the project team must confirm that excavations meet the approved design requirements and that the bearing materials are suitable.

Depending on the project, preparation may involve excavation, subgrade evaluation, groundwater management, and coordination with geotechnical inspectors.

Reinforcement and embedded components must also be positioned according to the structural drawings.

Common pre-placement considerations include:

Confirming footing dimensions and elevations.
Verifying soil-bearing conditions.
Reviewing reinforcement placement.
Checking anchor bolts and embedded components.
Coordinating required inspections.
Confirming concrete delivery and placement access.

Addressing these details before placement can help avoid delays, rework, and construction conflicts.

6. Commercial Concrete Footings for Steel Buildings and PEMBs

Pre-engineered metal buildings are common in commercial, industrial, and agricultural construction.

These buildings often rely on carefully coordinated foundation systems to support structural steel columns and resist the forces identified in the building design.

Footing requirements may be influenced by column reactions, uplift forces, lateral loads, and anchor bolt configurations.

For general contractors, coordination between the structural engineer, PEMB supplier, and concrete subcontractor is essential.

Foundation drawings and steel building requirements should be reviewed together before construction begins.

Anchor bolt locations, elevations, and tolerances can affect steel erection and the overall project schedule.

Early coordination helps identify potential conflicts before concrete is placed.

7. How Long Does Commercial Footing Construction Take?

Commercial footing construction schedules vary depending on project size, site conditions, weather, and inspection requirements.

A typical sequence may include excavation, bearing verification, formwork, reinforcement installation, inspections, concrete placement, curing, and subsequent foundation activities.

Concrete also requires time to develop sufficient strength before certain construction loads can be applied.

The required waiting period depends on the specified concrete mixture, environmental conditions, structural requirements, and construction activities.

General contractors should coordinate loading and follow-on work with the engineer and concrete subcontractor rather than assuming all concrete reaches the necessary strength after a fixed number of days.

This is especially important when planning steel erection, foundation wall construction, or other activities that place loads on newly completed concrete.

8. Choosing the Right Commercial Concrete Subcontractor

Commercial foundation construction requires planning, technical understanding, and coordination among multiple project stakeholders.

When evaluating a concrete subcontractor, general contractors should consider experience with similar commercial projects, scheduling capabilities, communication, and familiarity with foundation construction requirements.

A well-defined scope of work is equally important.

Before awarding a concrete package, confirm responsibilities for excavation, reinforcement, formwork, embedded items, inspections, concrete placement, curing, and protection.

Clearly identifying inclusions and exclusions can help reduce misunderstandings during construction.

Experienced commercial concrete teams can also provide practical input during preconstruction, helping general contractors evaluate site logistics, sequencing, and placement requirements.

Building Strong Commercial Foundations in Minnesota

From warehouses and manufacturing facilities to agricultural buildings and commercial developments, commercial concrete footings play a critical role in supporting safe, durable structures.

Understanding footing types, depth requirements, soil conditions, reinforcement, and cost factors helps general contractors make more informed decisions during project planning.

While every commercial foundation must be engineered for its specific conditions, early coordination between the design team, general contractor, and concrete subcontractor can help create a more efficient construction process.

At Evenson Concrete Systems, we understand the importance of quality concrete construction, clear communication, and thoughtful project planning.

Our team works with commercial, industrial, and agricultural construction projects throughout Minnesota and the surrounding region.

Have a Commercial Concrete Project Coming Up? Send Us Your Plans.

Planning a warehouse, manufacturing facility, agricultural building, or new commercial development?

Evenson Concrete Systems is ready to discuss your concrete construction needs and upcoming bidding opportunities.

Whether your project involves commercial concrete footings, foundations, structural concrete, or large concrete slabs, early conversations can help establish project expectations and construction requirements.

Let's build a strong foundation for your next project.

Contact Evenson Concrete Systems to connect with our team and discuss your upcoming commercial concrete project.

Commercial Concrete FootingsConcrete Footings for Commercial BuildingsCommercial Concrete FoundationsConcrete Footing Types

Emilie Prange