Concrete Footings 101: Depth, Width, Rebar, and Cost
Everything you need to know about footings before you dig — frost line, codes, and reinforcement.
Footings are the part of concrete work you cannot afford to get wrong. A failed footing means a failed structure.
Depth — below the frost line
Warm climates: 12" minimum. Mid-Atlantic: 24–36". Northern: 36–48". Local code is the authority — check before you dig.
Width — twice the wall thickness
An 8" wall sits on a 16" footing. Engineered drawings override this rule for heavy loads or poor soil.
Rebar — almost always required
Two #4 bars running the full length, with vertical dowels every 4 feet into walls above.
Cost
$5–$10 per linear foot for a residential foundation footing, including excavation and rebar.
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