Grand Rapids

Helical piles in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids homes sit on glacial ground, and the Michigan Geological Survey's overview says Michigan's surface geology is dominated by glacial deposits. Soil can vary from loose sand to heavier till within short distances, so an engineer sets the design from site conditions.

Michigan's cold climate sets the minimum footing depth: Permits Guide reports that the 2015 Michigan Residential Code requires a 42-inch frost depth for deck footings across most of the state, though local building officials can modify it. Helical shafts typically go deeper than that to reach competent soil.

Helical pile companies serving Grand Rapids

The listed company based in Grand Rapids:

• Kent Foundation Repair of West Michigan: a helical pier installer now operating as Kent Foundation Solutions, offering foundation repair, new construction piers, retaining wall tiebacks and boardwalks.

Costs and what to ask

HomeGuide puts helical piers at about $2,000 to $4,000 each installed nationally, with many repair jobs near $3,000 per pier. Where a Grand Rapids project lands depends on pier count, depth to bearing soil and access. Our breakdown is in our helical pier cost guide.

Questions to put to any installer in Grand Rapids:

• Does an engineer review the site and stamp the pile design before work starts?
• Will you record installation torque pile by pile and hand me the logs?
• What shaft diameter and helix configuration do you propose, and is it galvanized?
• Do you handle the permit with the Grand Rapids building department, and what does the warranty cover?

Get written quotes from at least two companies and ask each to explain how the pier count and depth were determined.

For more companies and state-level guidance, see Michigan helical pile installers.