A. Poured concrete and concrete block are the two foundation types that dominate the residential construction industry here in the USA. I’ve built buildings using both materials.

When you pour concrete footings, hold the cardboard concrete form tube about 12 in. up from the bottom of the footing. Do this by nailing the sides of the tube to the center of a tic-tac-toe grid ...

A: Poured concrete and concrete block are the two foundation types that dominate the residential-construction industry here in the USA. I've built buildings using both materials.

Concrete footing forms should be made from sturdy 2-by-8s or 2-by-10s. Many foundation contractors prefer to use 2-by-8’s and stake them up off the ground several inches.

Footings need long pieces of reinforcing steel. One-half-inch diameter, No. 4, is almost always sufficient. Because the steel needs to be continuous in the footing, don't butt two pieces together.