We pour slabs for garages, sheds, additions and shops in Southfield and nearby towns. Michigan's code sets exterior footings at 42 inches below grade, and the clay here needs a compacted stone base. Tell us what the slab will carry and whether it will be heated.
We pour slabs for garages, sheds, additions, carports and equipment pads in Southfield and the towns nearby. A building slab follows the plans and the permit. Michigan's residential code requires exterior footings to go 42 inches below grade, unless the building official allows a change, so a garage or addition here needs real frost protection, not just a slab on the ground.
The clay under Southfield is the other design driver. It holds water, swells and heaves when it freezes. Under any slab we remove the soft topsoil, place a compacted crushed stone base, and add a vapor barrier for garages, additions and any enclosed floor. Steel goes in to hold the slab together, and thickened edges or footings carry the walls. A garage floor gets a slope toward the door so melting snow and salt water run out.
Tell us what will sit on the slab and whether it will be heated. A shed pad and a two-car garage floor are very different jobs, and a shop with a vehicle lift needs the thickness the lift maker specifies. For anything with walls and a roof, we work from stamped plans if the city asks for them, and the Southfield Building Department inspects the work.
Slabs & foundations in Southfield: common questions
How deep do footings need to be in Southfield?
Michigan's residential code says exterior footings must extend 42 inches below grade. The building official can change that for specific conditions, so we confirm the depth with the city on each permit.
Does a shed pad need a permit in Southfield?
It depends on the size of the shed and the city's rules, so we check with the Southfield Building Department before we pour. A small pad on a stone base is usually simple, but larger structures need a permit.
Do I need a vapor barrier under a garage slab?
Yes, we put one under garage floors and any enclosed slab. It stops ground moisture from coming up through the concrete. Open patios and driveways do not need one.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit and measure.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with finish options.
- Prep & forms: We excavate, grade, compact the base and set forms and reinforcement.
- Pour, finish & cure: We pour, finish, cut control joints and tell you when you can use it.