Observed condition
Document accessible cracking, movement, deterioration, moisture patterns and connected building behaviour.
Residential and commercial building services
Foundation engineering.
Design and assessment for footings, foundation walls, slabs, settlement, cracking and structural repair.
PEO licensed Professional engineering practice30+ years Engineering and building experienceFixed pricing Up front for the agreed written scope
Clear definition
What does foundation engineering address?
A foundation transfers building loads into the supporting ground and retains soil where grades differ. Its behaviour depends on structure, materials, soil, drainage, frost and how the property has changed over time.
Foundation engineering can involve new design, assessment of visible distress, or repair and strengthening of existing construction. A crack is documented in context; its pattern, width, displacement, moisture and relationship to the building matter more than the word crack alone.
What the service addresses.
The exact review, drawings and calculations depend on the building and the work described in the written proposal.
Loads and support
Review the structure carried by the foundation and the bearing or lateral demands introduced by the work.
New or repair design
Design footings, walls, piers, reinforcement or repair details appropriate to the defined scope.
Investigation and limitations
Identify where concealed construction, soil information, monitoring or specialist testing is needed before a reliable conclusion can be reached.
Common project types
Where this service is used.
- Foundations for additions and new structures
- Foundation crack and movement assessments
- Repair and reinforcement design
- Equipment pads, piers and localized supports
Typical deliverables
What the scope can include.
- Site observations and photo documentation
- Foundation plans and sections
- Reinforcement and connection details
- Structural calculations
- Assessment report or repair direction where commissioned
- Construction review when included
Before construction
Assessment and permit considerations.
New foundations and structural repairs commonly require permit drawings. An assessment is a different service: it answers a defined question about an existing condition and may recommend monitoring, repair, further investigation or no immediate structural work based on the evidence available.
Drainage and waterproofing are related to foundation performance but are not automatically included in every structural scope. The proposal identifies whether those interfaces or other specialist services form part of the engagement.
Foundation engineering FAQs
Specific answers about scope, permits, engineering decisions and what to send before the work begins.
When should a foundation crack be reviewed by an engineer?
Review is appropriate when cracking is displaced, widening, recurring, associated with movement or water, or affecting a purchase, repair, insurance or municipal decision. Photographs alone may help scope the concern but do not always replace a site visit.
Can you tell from one visit whether a crack is still moving?
A visit documents the condition at that time. Crack pattern and surrounding evidence may support an opinion, but active movement can require measurements, historical information or monitoring over time.
Does foundation engineering include waterproofing?
Structural and water-management issues are related, but waterproofing design is not automatically part of every foundation assessment. The written scope states whether drainage, waterproofing or other specialist input is included.
Can Kernel design a foundation for an addition or deck?
Yes. The design considers building loads, geometry, frost protection and the site information available. Geotechnical or other investigation may be required for some properties or larger projects.
Will an assessment produce a repair drawing?
Only if repair design is part of the engagement. A condition assessment may instead issue an opinion, monitoring recommendation or request for further investigation. The intended deliverable is confirmed before the visit.
What should I send with a foundation enquiry?
Send the address, clear photographs showing the overall area and close views, when the condition was noticed, any change over time, and available drawings, repair records or inspection reports.
Areas we serve.
Kernel supports projects across Ontario. These pages provide local contact and permit context for core service areas.
Discuss your project with an engineer.
Send the property address, intended work and any drawings or photographs you already have. Kernel will confirm the appropriate written scope and fixed price up front.
Send project details