Why Helical Piers Obliterate Cased Holes for Foundation Solutions

When it comes to foundation repair and deep foundation solutions, cased holes have long been seen as a standard option. But when you break down the real-world challenges — the inspections, the suppliers, the subcontractors, and the human error risks — it becomes clear:
Helical piers outperform cased holes by a wide margin.

At FND Piers, we believe in solutions that maximize reliability, speed, and profit for both commercial and residential projects. Here’s why helical piers dominate — and why choosing a cased hole can turn your jobsite into a slow-motion disaster.

The Inspection Nightmare of Cased Holes

Cased holes don’t just require drilling a hole and filling it with concrete. They trigger a chain reaction of extensive physical inspections that increase your exposure to delays and failures.

Here’s what inspectors must verify with cased holes:

• The hole size and condition

• Mill certifications for the casing pipe

• Proper installation of the casing pipe

• Mill certifications for the rebar

• Operator qualifications for every installation step

• Slump and air entrainment of the concrete

• Concrete cylinders for strength testing

• Concrete installation method (Was a tremie pipe used correctly?)

And the reality?
Most inspectors aren’t verifying every item every time. They’re human — and their motivations may not align with your need to finish the job profitably.
If the inspector has no next job lined up, slowing down your project increases their billable hours. That’s not a conspiracy theory — it's just human nature in a system based on subjective decisions.

And if you’ve ever had a “greenhorn” inspector on your site? You already know:
What should be a two-hour operation can easily spiral into an all-day affair, destroying your cost-per-hour advantage.

3 Suppliers = 3 New Opportunities for Problems

Every cased hole project requires coordinating three material suppliers:

• Rebar Supplier

• Concrete Supplier

• Casing Pipe Supplier

Each supplier has their own team, production timeline, and quality control challenges.
Even if each company operates flawlessly (a big "if"), you’re still relying on 60+ human beings working across different companies to keep your jobsite moving smoothly.

Every phone call, every delivery, every tiny miscommunication — another opportunity for your job to get wrecked.

3 Subcontractors = Triple the Risk

In addition to your material suppliers, a cased hole requires coordination with three subcontractors:

• Drilling Contractor (to punch the hole with specialty augers)

• Crane Contractor (to place casing or materials properly)

• Concrete Contractor (to deliver, place, and finish the concrete)

Each sub must:

• Bring the correct tooling and equipment

• Coordinate their schedules perfectly

• Have backup equipment ready in case something breaks (because it will)

Crane work alone can involve complex coordination for access, rigging points, and clearances.
Concrete subs must juggle the batch plant, pump truck, tremie pipe, vibrators, anchor assemblies, and finishing tools — any failure along the line can shut down your entire day.

And let’s not forget: Murphy’s Law applies to prepared and unprepared crews alike.
Even if everything is planned perfectly, weather or mechanical breakdowns can derail your timeline without warning.

Why Helical Piers Are a Smarter, Faster Foundation Solution

Helical piers eliminate almost all of these risks.

• No cased hole inspections
• No coordination across three suppliers
• No need for drilling, casing, crane lifts, or concrete pours
• Installed with a skid steer or mini excavator
• Instant load verification during installation
• Zero concrete curing time — build immediately

With helicals:

• You control your timeline.

• You reduce reliance on dozens of external parties.

• You eliminate almost all material failure points.

• You can install in almost any weather conditions.

Bottom line:
Helical piers protect your profit margin, your schedule, and your peace of mind — whether you're working on a residential foundation repair, a commercial slab stabilization, or a deep foundation project.

Choose the Smarter Solution: Helical Piers from FND Piers

At FND Piers, we specialize in providing fast, reliable, cost-effective helical pier solutions that outperform traditional cased hole systems every time.

Ready to ditch the inspection headaches, supplier delays, and subcontractor chaos?

Contact FND Piers today to learn how helical piers can save your next project time, money, and frustration.

Visit: https://www.fndpiers.com/
Call: 940-255-9691
Get a free evaluation and see the difference helical make!