Fahison
Bar diameter smaller than the drawings
High- Cause:
- Saving on materials or a reading error.
- Impact:
- A weak footing that cannot carry the loads.
Stage 1: Formwork & RebarFootings Inspection
Footings Inspection
Before the Concrete Pour
The footings carry the whole house, and after the pour you can neither see the rebar nor fix it. We inspect the rebar, then the formwork, then the cover spacers and cleanliness right before the pour. And if you are dealing with the contractor directly, we sit down with them before work begins and set the plan.
From 700 AED
2–3Hours per Inspection
3+1Inspections + Pre-Planning
- Specialised Engineers
- Photo Report
- All Emirates
Footing ChecksIllustration
Rebar hidden after pourSpacers (concrete cover)
What Is Footings Inspection?
Footings are the first thing poured in a house, and the columns and all the loads rest on them. Footings inspection is an engineering visit before the pour in which our engineers confirm that the rebar and formwork are built according to the structural drawings.
The inspection matters because footing mistakes get buried under concrete and soil: a smaller bar diameter, column starter bars out of position, or rebar without concrete cover that rusts over time. None of these can be fixed after the pour except at great cost.
Pre-Planning and the Three Inspections
Start with planning with the contractor before work begins, then the inspections in order before the pour. You can request each service on its own.
Before the Formwork & Rebar Contractor
Pre-Planning with the Formwork & Rebar Contractor
For: Owners who deal directly with subcontractors (owner-builders).
When: Before the Formwork & Rebar Contractor starts work.
Our engineers meet the formwork and rebar contractor on site before work begins to align standards, explain quality requirements and agree on the correct method of execution, so you avoid common mistakes and guesswork from the start.
What Do We Agree on with the Contractor?
Acceptance Criteria
We explain to the contractor how their work will be inspected, before they start.
Structural Drawings
Reviewing footing dimensions and bar diameters with the contractor.
Rebar and Laps
Lap lengths and fixing of starter bars and stirrups.
Gridlines and Levels
How gridlines are set out and the footing levels.
Cover Spacers
Spacer thickness and positions under the rebar and on the sides.
Inspection Dates
When we return to inspect the rebar, the formwork, and before the pour.
What Does Pre-Planning Prevent?
Guesswork
Every contractor does it their own way if you haven't agreed on standards.
Breaking Out After the Pour
A footing mistake after the pour means costly breaking out or strengthening.
Disputes With the Contractor
Requirements are clear and agreed before the work, not after.
Inspection 1 of 3
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Rebar Handover
When: After the footing rebar and column starter bars are installed.
The rebar is what carries the footing, and after the pour it disappears forever. We check bar diameters, spacing and laps before any next step.
Key Items We Inspect
Bar Diameters
Diameters match the structural drawings.
Bar Spacing
Spacing in both directions as per the drawings.
Laps
Lap lengths and locations.
Column Starter Bars
Number, diameters and positions on the gridlines.
Stirrups
Number, spacing and fixing of stirrups.
Rebar Cleanliness
Free of excessive rust, oil and dirt.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Column starter bars out of position
High- Cause:
- Gridlines not checked before installation.
- Impact:
- A misaligned column and problems on every floor.
Short laps
Medium- Cause:
- Rushing or a shortage of rebar.
- Impact:
- Weakness at the joints.
Inspection 2 of 3
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Formwork Handover
When: After the formwork is installed around the footings.
The formwork defines the footing's shape, dimensions and position. If it is weak or the dimensions are wrong, the footing comes out with the same mistake after the pour.
Key Items We Inspect
Footing Dimensions
Length, width and height as per the drawings.
Gridlines and Positions
Footing positions match the gridlines.
Levels
Top-of-footing level checked with a spirit level.
Fixing and Support
Formwork panels are firmly fixed to withstand the pour.
Alignment and Plumb
Sides are straight and plumb.
Tight Joints
No gaps between the panels.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Dimensions smaller than the drawings
High- Cause:
- Measuring error or cost-cutting.
- Impact:
- A smaller footing that cannot carry the required loads.
Poorly supported formwork
High- Cause:
- Quick fixing without enough props.
- Impact:
- Bulging or partial collapse during the pour.
Gaps between panels
Medium- Cause:
- Damaged panels or loose installation.
- Impact:
- Loss of cement paste and honeycombing in the concrete.
Inspection 3 of 3
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Cover Spacers and Cleanliness
When: Immediately before the footings are poured.
The last chance before the pour. Cover spacers maintain the concrete cover that protects the rebar from rust, and the footing must be clean of any debris before it is poured.
Key Items We Inspect
Spacers Under the Rebar
Presence, distribution and thickness under the mesh.
Side Spacers
Distance between the rebar and the formwork sides.
Footing Cleanliness
Free of dirt, debris and pieces of wood.
Starter Bar Fixing
Column starter bars are secured so they don't move during the pour.
Final Gridlines
A final check of the gridlines before the pour.
Previous Observations
Confirming that rebar and formwork observations have been fixed.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Rebar without spacers
High- Cause:
- Negligence or a shortage of spacers.
- Impact:
- Exposed rebar that rusts and weakens the footing over time.
Broken or too few spacers
Medium- Cause:
- Poor quality or wide spacing.
- Impact:
- Rebar sagging and insufficient concrete cover.
Debris inside the footing
Medium- Cause:
- No cleaning before the pour.
- Impact:
- Weak concrete in those areas.
Equipment We Use
From the Fahison equipment featured on our home page.
Tape MeasureSpirit Level
Tips Before the Inspection
To help you get more out of the visit.
Do
- Request the rebar inspection before the contractor installs the formwork.
- Book all 3 inspections if you want full coverage before the pour.
- Have the structural drawings available on site.
Avoid
- Pouring before the rebar and formwork are inspected.
- Accepting changes to bar diameters without consulting the structural engineer.
- Leaving rebar in contact with the soil without spacers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Footings Inspection.
What are cover spacers?
Small blocks placed under and beside the rebar that keep the distance between the rebar and the concrete surface (the concrete cover), so the rebar is protected from moisture and rust.
What is pre-planning?
An on-site session with the formwork and rebar contractor before they start, where we agree on quality standards, the method of execution and inspection dates. Ideal for owners dealing with subcontractors directly, from 500 AED.
Do I have to request all 3 inspections?
No, you can request any one of them on its own. But all 3 together cover the footings completely before the pour.
How long does the inspection take?
2 to 3 hours.
How much does a footings inspection cost?
From 700 AED.
Inspections in the Same Stage
Formwork & Rebar.
Has the Contractor Started the Footings?
Book the rebar inspection before the formwork goes up, and we'll arrange the visit time with you.