Helical Piers — Get a Second Opinion & Price Match Guarantee
Already have a helical pier proposal? Before signing, get a free engineering review with Foundation Masters and see if we can do it better or match your price. We’re an engineering-led foundation repair firm serving Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and all of Florida.
Why Get a Second Bid on Helical Piers?
Many contractors are sales-first: they quote piers without full design or soil analysis. That can lead to overpricing or underperformance. At Foundation Masters, we begin with licensed structural engineers — not a sales script.
With our Price Match Guarantee, we’ll review your written competitor proposal (with engineering) and either match it or outperform it, including our own design review at no cost.
Helical Pier Design & Load Capacity
Helical piers must be engineered for your site’s soil and structural loads. Below is a high-level view of how our engineers size piers with equations, good practice, and safety factors.
1. Basic Load Capacity
A pier’s ultimate capacity is a sum of side friction and bearing resistance:
Qult = Qs + Qb
We also use a torque correlation (common in the helical-pier industry):
Qallow = Kt × T
- T = installation torque (ft-lb)
- Kt = empirical torque factor (typical range 8–12)
- Qallow = allowed axial load (lbs) per pier
Example: If T = 6,000 ft-lb and Kt = 10, then
Qallow = 60,000 lbs (≈30 tons) per pier.
2. Helix Plates & Number of Flights
– Helix diameters commonly include 8″, 10″, 12″, and 14″.
– Multiple flights (helix plates) increase bearing surface and capacity.
– A spacing rule of ~3× the shaft diameter is often used to prevent overlap of soil influence.
– The lowest helix must reach **competent load-bearing soil** (e.g. dense sand, stiff clay).
3. Soil Types & Capacity Guidelines
| Soil Type | Approx. Bearing (psf) | Typical Kt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft clay / organic soil | 500–1,000 | 6–8 | Often requires deeper embedment. |
| Medium stiff clay | 1,500–2,500 | 8–10 | Common in residential subsurface layers. |
| Dense sand / silty sand | 2,500–4,000+ | 10–12 | High capacity, relatively shallow depth. |
| Rock / Limestone / Hard strata | > 5,000 | 12+ | May require pre-drilling. |
4. Safety Factors & Final Design
We design with a Factor of Safety (FS) of typically **2.0 to 3.0**, depending on building type, site risk, and permit requirements.
For example, if Qallow (from torque correlation or soil method) is 60,000 lbs and FS = 2.5, the design load per pier is limited to 24,000 lbs.
Our engineers choose the number of piers, spacing, diameter, and helix configuration to match the total building load plus environmental margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are helical piers and how do they work?
Helical piers (or helical piles) are steel shafts with helix plates welded to them. They are screwed into stable soil or bedrock using hydraulic motors. The helix plates create bearing resistance while the shaft provides side friction, which together carry the structural loads downward.
When should I use helical piers for foundation repair?
You should consider helical piers when your foundation shows signs of settlement—like wall cracks, uneven floors, or stuck doors—and when site conditions allow machine access. They’re particularly effective in challenging soils, high water tables, or tight working areas.
Does Foundation Masters offer a price match guarantee?
Yes, we match any valid written quote (with engineering) for an identical helical pier project. Our guarantee includes a free engineering review to ensure the design is accurate and complete.
How much do helical piers cost in Florida?
Costs depend on soil, depth, load, and site access. A rough estimate: $150–$300 per foot. Always verify with an engineering-based quote.
Can helical piers be installed year-round?
Yes. Because no curing is required, helical piers are installed in wet soils and high water tables and are effective in most seasons.
Request Your Free Quote & Engineering Review
Send us your competitor’s proposal and specifications. We’ll evaluate it, provide our own design, and match or beat the price when scope matches.