I dug eight 18 inch diameter holes with a 1000 lb mini skid steer with auger bit, 40 inches deep (my county requires 30 inch depth minimum, which is the frost line in my area). I inserted 18 inch diameter sonotubes down to 30 inches, and left the remaining 10 inches in direct contact with the soil. I cut the tops of the sonotubes 5 inches above grade (mark with laser level, and cut with jigsaw). I built wooden frames out of 2x4s that I staked down around each sonotube, and used poultry wire staples to connect each sonotube to the wooden frame from inside the sonotube, to prevent it from moving during the pour. I built cages out of #4 rebar, and set them in the holes with rebar chairs on the bottoms. Passed footing inspection. I bought a 5 cu ft concrete mixer from Home Depot (cannot imagine mixing all that in a wheelbarrow!), and have poured six out of the eight piers so far with 4000 psi concrete. Each pier is taking sixteen 60 lb bags! Home Depot dropped the pallets of concrete in my back yard, so I just use a Gorilla Cart wagon to move bags to where I'm pouring. I built a chute out of scrap wood so I can pour directly into each hole instead of having to move concrete from the mixer to the hole (no wheelbarrow or shovel needed!). I also picked up a concrete vibrator from Harbor Freight. Thing works amazing. I'm sore as hell. Taking the day off tomorrow (supposed to rain), but I'll finish up on Monday.

I did something very similar, but permitted. Here is what mine took to get an engineer's stamp: - 12" sono tubes - 24" flared-out footers (so I had to dig 24" holes) - 31" below-ground depth (I have an 18" frost line in my area) - 18" above-ground height (a minimum requirement for access) - Each pier needed QTY: 6 sticks of #5 40" rebar w/ QTY: 7 of #4 rebar 6" retaining rings (double-ring at top). - A much beefier (ABU46Z) Simpson post-base w/ 10" anchor bolt. That's not to say yours won't work, I'm just pointing out what was required for a permit. To other viewers: The vast majority of occupied spaces in the USA require permits, with very few exceptions. Best of luck with the build!

Cool to see each step of the journey of this build. You are really building this from the ground up Devon! Appreciate that you include the costs for each step of construction too!

This was very informative. I agree with a previous comment that many videos out there are time lapse and silent which are not helpful at all when one is trying to learn a new skill or how someone went about all the steps to create this pier foundation. So glad I lucked out in coming across your video with just a broad search in Google. Thank you for posting and I look forward to watching your other videos!

Great that you're giving the average viewer a good look into the importance & fundamentals of foundations. Especially w/ recent high profile "leaning tower" skyscrapers in San Francisco & NY, arising from faulty foundations.

Incredible job man, so impressive that you're doing this solo

Thank you for this. every tiny home build I've seen is usually just a time-lapse. Your explanation gives me confidence to one day do this myself.

I wonder about adjusting your anchors. If you twist the nut down, it will strip the threads of the bolt, or more likely just strip the concrete. Usually that's OK, but it would leave the building weak to uplift in case of strong winds, tornadoes, or massive flooding.

you can also mix cocreat with drill attachment used to mix plasters and glue its super fast

I just discovered this channel today. Love it! Awesome videos and I very much enjoyed watching the whole series. And the house you build earlier… it just looks so amazing. I am only 17 years old and would love to build myself a house like that one day as well. Best wishes from Germany ;)

thank you for this video, you make it look so easy!!! the small explanations are awesome, I have seen a couple of videos this was the best one. I will definitely watch the rest.

Love seeing your project come to life.

This is the first video I've found on your channel and I want to say thank you and absolutely incredible work. I'm definitely subscribed! This is so helpful especially for someone such as myself who's never built anything before but I'm looking to build my first tiny home and the foundation part seemed daunting. Not anymore with your help!

Such an awesome video and excellent n lot if work!!! Congrats!!

It’s crazy to see Construction on the main stage now, back when I was a kid my dad was looked down on by Society as a Carpenter/Labor. Now he’s paid in Bay Area as much as a Doctor 😅😂😂

Great energy, very pleasant. Great job

that was awesome ! most videos don't spend enough time explaining the foundations - but as you said, it's the most important part ! Definitely taking some notes for my project :D I still see people putting treated wood poles straight into the ground -- and I don't get how they sleep at night knowing their house won't hold long !

Bro, I like this videos. Me and the wife is doing this in Alaska in a few years. You answered a lot of questions

Love your content man, it's so informative! Question, you had mentioned about 3 months ago you were making a video about how you grew your following. Is that video gonna drop soon?!

My two penneth from Engalnd....I would put the anchors through large galvanised metal 3/8th inch thick discs slightly less than the internal diameter of the tubes, with a blocked-off tube welded on the bottom half to allow easy adjustment. Run a water-draining tube outside the sono from the bottom of the welded tube. Set these level in the concrete of the pillar. Put the anchors through a large thick washer as well as the existing small one. Double up the nuts and grease the thread to allow the nuts to be locked together when adjusted. This will spread the load on each pillar, and make adjustment much easier. When the house is settled, the grease will prevent possible corrosion of the threads, even though they are galvanised. I would also put rebar with rings inside the sono. Thanks for the video. Have subscribed. Best wishes. Tony

I used helical screw piles. They don’t sink, aren’t affected by freeze. Resist uplift and will outlive me. Best of all they were all installed in one day and I was framing the next day.

Nice to see correct foundations on a build

Holy Devon you are an actual CHAMP brother. That was an insane video, huge work, love the videos. Double checked to make sure I'm subbed just incase xD and I definitely am Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you! I stumbled across your video just as I'm about to start a solo project and, coincidentally, you're doing it in the same dimensions as me. And I was wondering how I was going to find water... In short, you've answered all my questions!!!

Thanks for the informative video. Nicely produced. Could you please explain one thing for me. How does the nut adjust the bracket up and down if the threads are set in concrete. Thanks

Always look forward to your videos

highly recommend the Harbor Tool mixer... i did 30 thousand pounds in mixing for retaining block wall, foundations, and 20 by 15 patio slab,,, good job on your work

Great video! How long did you wait from pouring concrete to wet setting the anchors?

Can't wait to see it develop

Is a bolt 4 in deep in concrete strong or capable enough to make this work long-term?

People often use rebar or a wire frame in sonotubes to provide more strength. You have insane energy to mix all that concrete in one day.

Looking good!

Should put a 2’ level across the top of those tubes to ensure they aren’t tipping too much. You want a level finished surface on concrete piers.

You're amazing! How did you make sure all the holes were in line before you used the sting? Also how did you make sure all the concrete was level with one another?

awesome job.

how do you plan on fine adjusting the anchor bolts that are set in concrete?

I’m curious, no rebar needed? I’m working on my shed foundation. It’s only 192sq feet, I’m doing 4 16’ skids attached to piers for a total of 20. I don’t need a permit for this build, but they do say I need to do minimum of 24” deep 8” pier. I’m going 28” deep and I’m doing rebar, maybe overkill? 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

I went through the same process as you a few years ago when I built a structure in the middle of the woods. I laughed when you showed the clip of going to the river for water. I had to do the same exact thing since I don't have a well yet.

Nice work

No adjustment once poured, I was confused on what you meant by adjustable. That would be cool if you could though!! Nice work I can wait to see the finished product!

What do you guys like/want to see more of in my videos? Really trying to make these videos as helpful/fun as possible for y'all!

Devon do you think this foundation is good for a container homes as well?

Where do you store all your tools?

is rebar not needed? asking cause im thinking of doing this too

Great job

Great series, so did you space the beams 6' or 7' apart? I've seen people space them 8' to line up right on the floor rim board. I'm trying to figure which is best, I like the idea of overhang like you did. How much over hang will your floor have over your beams? Thanks so much!

you could run strings from tube to tube, level them and mark where to cut, so later you dont need to custom cut your posts

such an underrated channel

In the moment that I was just think, o look this young man and all those "influencer" and you say... I have a lot of views and no subscribers, so I think that was like telepathy, few days ago i criticize some youngsters in what they are in to and something about falce idols and etc..they probably were angry may be crying but it was hurtful truth. You are bright young man and you are literally showing how to live. I would glad to subscribe and like your video. I recommend every youngster to like your video nor they are living in town or village because in life you dont knowe where you will end up. Keep going man!

Thank your lucky stars, man. Mine are all jackhammered into sub- surface boulders. Strong as can be but a lot of work. I like the sleeves though !👍

5:42 I have a saying I always use when I run into that one troubled 'whatever' in the job process... "there's always one that just has to ruin it for the rest". 😅

A large shopvac makes easy work of getting fill out of the bottom of those holes. Quick and easy on the body.

Take an actual beam, attach all anchors in the right place, Set it up on a make shift scaffolding suport so that your anchor feet reach into the holes correctly, then pour the concrete in the two exterior pillars, let cure, then pour the concrete in the inner ones. Perfectly alligned foundation beam without any tension. Rent a concrete vibrator attachment for your cordless drill pour one third of the pillar let the air out by vibrating, repeat for 2/3 and 3/3.

Really enjoying seeing the progress. Thanks for the videos. I would make one recommendation and that is to not play the in-between music soooo loud.

Interesting, I always thought those anchors were installed to dry Conkrete

Hey very informative video 2 questions... why do you go so deep? Is it because of frost line? And second is there no rebar required for this column

Thank you for your brilliant video. I plan on buying a tiny home but have no idea about foundation.

Why no permit? I live in Washington state also.

Do you have winter? Is 3ft below the frost depth there? Clay soil is the worst for frost heave.

Can you provide a little more info about permits and regulations? Like did you hire ana rchitect to submit plans to the city, or did you do it yourself? Also, did you need permits for septic and water? :)

Can you please help me with a question about piers? How do I know what diameter each pier needs to be? We have no permits where I live. My room addition will be 24'x14'. Can't seem to get a straight answer on this. Thanks a bunch!

That’s anchors your using to hold the beams?

Man, a drill with $15 mixing paddle would have saved you hours and calories.

Impressive!!! And You can do advertisements for Tesla too (is that a Model 3?) 🙂

Did you pour the concrete on all holes before putting in the anchors?

I'm having trouble seeing how those anchors adjust. I would think the threaded rod would go through the plate to allow you to adjust up and down, but it looks like it's attached at the bottom with no hole in the plate. Gotta watch the next video to see how.

How important is it to get those metal anchors perfectly vertical? If you put a pole in the metal support then surely even a 1/2 degree error will result in the top of the pole being off by many cm?

Where did you rent the Auger from? What is the proper name for this machine because I can't find any that can dig 36" - 48 which is the requirement in New York

Bro what is the model on the dingo and where did you purchase for under 600 dollars? Thanks.

How far apart did you place the quilt-tubes?

A lazer level would help you so so much in making your piles level. That would save you tons of hassle down the road.

You realize that you can never adjust those post anchors. The thread is imbeaded in the concrete so when you turn that bolt it will not move. You should of sleeved the treads or Atleast taped them slowing them to slide up

Looks great! Did you consider leveling the land and building on skids? My tiny cabin will be a bit smaller (12x18) but I'm debating skids vs concrete piers right now.

What are the dimensions of the house?

Concrete without steel rebar is absolutely not gonna last. It will crumble with time. Always always add rebar to concrete.

Crazy how you have to gand dig it even with that machine

What the size of the foundation? I wonder if a regular slab wouldn't have been cheaper (poured with a concrete truck)? We pay 250CAD/m3 delivered. I poured a 12'x16' chicken coop with rebar for under 1000CAD (had about 4 m3 of concrete). Would a concrete truck been able to go there?

No rebar?

The Cedar Chalet!

I see you didn’t use a lever for tubes. Is that alignment crucial

You dug 4 ft holes but only cut tubes so short? Whatbwere the sitting on

11:03 Anchor thread length? I thought they had to go super deep into concrete. Also could you have maybe used dual bolt vertical anchors, (where one of the bolts is adjustable under the plate) set with resin or concrete, then the height would be adjustable? Idk 🤷‍♀️ watching from the UK after binge watching @oakwoodgardenrooms builds. Also watching you lift the walls into place on another video, I was on the edge of my seat! 😱 The trusses were bowing 😱 good luck in all your endeavors 👍

What does building this unpermited mean? Is this legal?

Don’t you need rebar???

audio is not mixed properly gets way too loud

id probably dry pour the first couple bags in each hole and mix in the hole then mix the last couple bags to pour on top

the rod w/ steel plate on it u r driving thru the concrete will not resist lateral force strong earthquake will topple it down..

How big is the Square foot of the Home?

thats the softest digging ive ever seen

Why are these foundations not considered end to be long term durable?

Animal Protest! Lol😂 that Robin earlier? Was it nesting season when you did the driveway? Heard horrible stories about Rabbit nests in grass then someone mows😭

Awesome that your airBnd is going so good financial freedom :) good luck!

Compact that

Time to set up a trail cam

For all those arrogantly commenting about every little thing he did wrong, this guy was an engineer for a living, and now he’s doing what many of you do for a living: building structures. He can do what you do, but you can’t do what he does. You’re not on his level bro.

You deserve that harbor freight mixer.

Chicken claws foot foundation also the best option

I hope everyone realizes that you’re not getting the air out of a 4-6 foot cylinder of concrete by dunking half the trowel in the top part. Idk how much the structure will weigh but putting zero reinforcement in that concrete seems insane…even fiber fill, hardware cloth or wire fencing would’ve been worth the minor cost for peace of mind.

Not sure I would ever wear shorts while doing construction, but good work on the video.

Power auger , good No level , bad No re-bar , bad