McMinnville

Helical piles in McMinnville, Oregon

Rain-soaked hillsides are one of Oregon's biggest foundation risks. The U.S. Geological Survey reports at least 1,700 landslides within Portland between 1928 and 2016, and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries publishes a homeowner guide to landslides to help owners spot warning signs.

West of the Cascades the Oregon Residential Specialty Code's 12-inch minimum footing depth usually controls, and your local table sets any frost depth. Helical piles reach firmer soil or weathered rock beneath loose colluvium without adding water or spoil to a slope. Oregon is exposed to large Cascadia earthquakes, so engineered designs account for seismic loads.

Helical pile companies serving McMinnville

One McMinnville company is in our directory.

• Absolute Foundation LLC/ DBA GoliathTech Northwest Oregon: installs helical piles for new construction, boardwalks and public works, and repairs foundations across Northwest Oregon with underpinning, waterproofing and carbon fiber.

Costs and what to ask

National figures from HomeGuide show installed helical piers at about $2,000 to $4,000 each, around $3,000 on average. Oregon jobs on steep or wooded lots may cost more because of access and engineering. For the price drivers in more detail, see our helical pier cost guide.

Questions to ask any company quoting work in McMinnville:

• Engineering: Has an engineer accounted for seismic loads, and is a geotechnical report needed for a sloped lot?
• Torque logs: How is torque recorded, and will the log stay with my permit file?
• Galvanizing and shaft size: What galvanizing and shaft size are specified for wet winters?
• Permits and warranty: Which city or Yamhill County office issues the permit, and what does the warranty say?

To compare firms beyond McMinnville, browse Oregon helical pile installers.