Augusta

Helical piles in Augusta, Georgia

The Georgia guide describes homes across the Piedmont built on red clay and saprolite, the thick layer of decomposed rock the New Georgia Encyclopedia says covers much of the region. Saprolite can vary sharply over short distances, and fill placed during grading can settle, which leads to uneven foundation movement. A soil report or test pile shows how deep piles must go on a given Augusta lot.

The Georgia Residential Code requires exterior footings at least 12 inches below undisturbed ground, so frost rarely controls depth. Piles are installed to the depth where they reach the required torque, often through several feet of fill or weak clay.

Because piles can take load right after installation, a deck or porch can move ahead without waiting for concrete to cure, which helps during the long, humid building season.

Helical pile companies serving Augusta

The directory lists one company based in Augusta.

• CNT Foundations: an Augusta foundation and crawl space company serving Georgia and the Carolinas. No helical pile services appear on its site, so ask what it offers before assuming piers.

Costs and what to ask

HomeGuide reports $2,000 to $4,000 per helical pier installed, with about $3,000 typical. Georgia projects shift within that range based on depth to firm soil and access. More in our helical pier cost guide.

• Is there a soils report or test pile to show how deep the fill and saprolite go?
• Will you provide torque logs for every pier?
• What shaft size and galvanizing are in the proposal?
• Who handles the Augusta-Richmond County permit, and what is the warranty?

For other Georgia contractors, see Georgia helical pile installers.