Homeowners often focus on the beam itself — steel vs LVL, boxed vs exposed, how open the room will feel. Just as important is what carries that beam at each end. Concrete footings distribute concentrated post loads into the ground or foundation so the new structure remains stable over time.
When new footings are required
If a post lands where there isn’t adequate support, a new footing (or an engineered alternative) may be needed. That can mean opening a basement slab, excavating, placing rebar, pouring concrete, and waiting for inspection where required.
Inspection before the pour
In many municipalities, a footing excavation must be inspected before concrete is placed. Planning for that step keeps the schedule honest and avoids rework. It’s a small process detail that protects both the homeowner and the integrity of the installation.
What drawings can’t always predict
A footing location on paper may conflict with plumbing, wiring, or older foundation conditions on site. This is where experience matters. We’ve redesigned footings around existing services while keeping posts where they need to be for the beam design — without derailing the full beam installation.
Footings + engineering = a complete system
Beam size, post layout, and footing capacity work together. That’s why we handle engineering coordination as part of structural projects, especially for open-concept conversions with clear-span goals.
If your renovation involves new posts or a basement bearing point, get in touch and we’ll walk through what your home likely needs.