The start of the next project begins with forming footings on a stepped lot. The engineered design for this job calls for footings that are 18 inches wide by 8 inches deep, reinforced with two #4 grade 60 rebar. For vertical reinforcement, we’re using #4 grade 60 rebar cut to 24 inches tall with a 6-inch hook at the end. These verticals are required to be alternated and secured in place rather than wet set. To save time, I order the J hooks pre-bent, along with 30" x 30" 90-degree bars for corner overlaps, and any cutting onsite is handled with a cordless grinder. For the forms, we use 2x6 Douglas Fir boards. They’re used once for footings and then recycled into the framing stage, keeping waste to a minimum. In our area, it’s common to pour footings with a line pump instead of a boom pump—it’s less expensive, and the operator runs the hose as part of the service, which saves us money and ensures we’ve got extra hands available on the job. The concrete mix is a 6-sack, 60/40 blend with pea gravel and fly ash, and both times we’ve had it tested, it’s exceeded expectations, hitting over 3,500 psi and even breaking 4,000 psi in one test.