General Construction in Savannah, GA

General construction covers the structural and site projects that build on our foundation expertise — additions, structural modifications, and construction done right from the ground up.

Construction Built on a Solid Foundation

Our roots in foundation work mean every project starts with stable ground and sound structure. We handle structural construction and site work with the same attention to the soils and drainage that make Savannah building unique.

What We Provide

• Structural construction and modifications
• Additions supported by proper foundations
• Site work, grading, and drainage integration
• Coordination with foundation and masonry work

Projects We Take On

• Home additions and expansions
• Structural repairs and modifications
• Foundation-related construction
• Site and drainage projects

Why General Construction in Savannah Starts Below the Ground

In coastal Georgia, the success of any build—an addition, a garage, a
new structural shell, or a full home—is decided long before the first
wall goes up. The Savannah area sits on the Coastal Plain, where sandy loam
over clay layers meets a naturally high water table. On many local lots,
digging more than a few feet can reach groundwater, which is exactly why
builders here rely so heavily on slab-on-grade and raised, stem-wall
foundations rather than the deep basements common further inland. Because
Solid Foundation Repair Of Savannah works from the soil up, we treat general
construction as a structural problem first and a finishing problem second.
That order matters on sandy, water-prone ground where a beautiful build over a
poorly prepared pad will not stay level for long.

Since 1989, our family-owned crew has handled the parts of a project that
determine whether it lasts: reading the soil, preparing the site, and tying
new construction into an existing structure without creating cracks or uneven
floors down the road. When a project involves changing loads on an existing
home, we make sure new work coordinates with any needed
foundation repair so
you are not building on a problem.

Site Preparation and Compaction on Coastal Georgia Soils

Sandy soil does not hold its shape the way clay does, and when groundwater
rises into an open trench, walls can slump and pads can settle unevenly.
Proper site prep is the difference between a slab that stays flat and one that
develops cracks in its first few seasons. For construction on Savannah-area
lots, that work typically includes:

• Clearing, grubbing, and stripping unsuitable organic topsoil from the
  building footprint
• Bringing in engineered structural fill and compacting it in controlled lifts
  to reach a stable, uniform bearing surface
• Grading the site so water sheds away from the structure instead of pooling
  against it
• Planning drainage—swales, downspout routing, and, where needed,
  sub-surface systems—to manage the high water table
• Building up the pad with additional compacted fill when a lot needs to reach
  a required elevation

Skipping compaction to save time is one of the most common reasons a new
addition ends up out of level. On our projects, the pad is prepared to carry
the load before anything is poured on top of it.

Slab-on-Grade, Stem Walls, and Elevated Builds

Most new construction across the Savannah region uses one of two approaches,
and the right choice depends on the lot, the flood zone, and how the structure
will be used. A slab-on-grade foundation places a reinforced concrete slab
directly on a prepared and compacted pad—economical, low-maintenance,
and well suited to our climate when the site is prepared correctly. A
stem-wall foundation raises the finished floor above the surrounding grade:
after the stem walls are formed and extended to the target height, the
enclosed area is filled with compacted engineered fill and the slab is poured
on top.

Stem-wall and elevated builds matter here because so much of coastal Georgia
carries flood risk. In areas of special flood hazard, new construction and
additions must meet minimum elevation standards, and Chatham County applies a
one-foot freeboard—meaning the lowest floor is generally set at the Base
Flood Elevation plus one foot. Building above that minimum reduces flood risk
and can lower flood insurance costs. We build the structural base to hit the
elevation your project requires, whether that calls for additional fill,
taller stem walls, or an elevated design.

Additions and Structural Builds That Tie Into Your Home

Room additions, second stories, garages, and bump-outs all add load to an
existing home. On sandy coastal soil, the risk is differential
settlement—the new section settling at a different rate than the
original structure, which shows up as cracked drywall, sticking doors, and
separated trim. As a foundation and structural specialist, we design the new
footing and pad to work with your existing foundation, and we inspect the
current structure before we build so an addition does not expose a hidden
weakness. If the existing home is already showing movement, we address that
first, because bolting new construction onto a settling foundation only
spreads the problem.

• Matching new footings and slabs to the existing foundation to limit
  differential movement
• Structural framing, load transfer, and reinforcement for additions and
  remodels
• Concrete and masonry work—footings, stem walls, slabs, block, and
  brick—built for salt-air coastal conditions
• Coordinating structural work so finishing trades build on a sound, level
  base

Permitting and Local Requirements in Savannah and Chatham County

General construction in the Savannah area almost always involves permits, and
the requirements are stricter inside flood zones. For residential additions,
the City of Savannah and Chatham County typically require a site plan,
construction drawings with a wall section, a subcontractor list, proof of a
current State of Georgia license and local business license,
and—critically—engineering approval for any building in a flood
zone. Environmental Health approval is needed where a septic system is
present. Because we are licensed and insured and work in these jurisdictions
every year, we help you understand what your specific lot and flood zone
require and build to those standards from the start.

If you are planning a build, addition, or structural project, reach out for a
free estimate or call Solid Foundation Repair Of
Savannah at (912) 642-3890. We will walk your
site, look at the soil and drainage, and give you a straight answer about what
it takes to build it right the first time.