As we started getting into the approval process it became clear the design process was not just about working with the architect. In addition to the architect we needed a geotechnical engineer, a civil engineer, and a structural engineer.
First off was a geotechnical engineer for a geotechnical investigation, some called it a soil survey. Other new homes in the neighborhood had deep foundation systems, so the expectation was that we would need the same. As soon as the old house was demoed GZA GeoEnvironmental came out and took a couple of borings and shortly thereafter provided us with a report that said the topsoil/fill was not capable of supporting a foundation/home, they hit hard stuff at 39-41.5′ below the surface, and that we should use timber or helical piles to support the home.
