If you’re the one digging and pouring the footers, you’re basically the point‑man between the engineer, the GC, and the inspector. The smartest move is to get every critical detail clarified before you mobilize equipment. Here’s a clean, practical list you can use on any job — the kind of questions that keep you out of trouble and make you look like the most dialed‑in contractor on site.

🧱 Questions for the Engineer (Structural / Civil)

These lock down the technical requirements so you don’t get burned on rework.

Footing Dimensions & Specs

• What are the exact footing dimensions (width, depth, thickness)?

• What is the required bearing depth below grade?

• Are there step footings or elevation changes?

• What is the required soil bearing capacity?

Rebar Requirements

• What size and spacing of rebar is required?

• How much rebar cover is needed?

• Are there corner bars, dowels, or hooks required?

• Do rebar laps need to meet a specific length?

Concrete Requirements

• What mix design is required (psi, slump, additives)?

• Are there cold‑weather or hot‑weather requirements?

• Any special inspection needed during the pour?

Drainage & Waterproofing

• Do footings require drain tile, fabric, or gravel base?

• Is there a vapor barrier or moisture control detail?

Site Conditions

• Are there concerns about expansive clay, groundwater, or frost depth?

• What is the tolerance for deviations (depth, width, elevation)?

Approval & Inspection

• Does the engineer need to inspect rebar before the pour?

• Who signs off if field conditions differ from the plans?

🏗️ Questions for the General Contractor / Builder

These keep the job running smoothly and prevent finger‑pointing.

Layout & Elevations

• Who is responsible for staking the building layout?

• Are the batter boards and strings already set and verified?

• What is the finished floor elevation and how does it relate to footing depth?

Access & Logistics

• What is the access path for equipment and concrete trucks?

• Where can spoils be stockpiled or hauled off?

• Is there room for a pump truck, if needed?

Scheduling

• When does the GC need the footings completed?

• When is the inspection scheduled?

• When will the foundation walls or block crew arrive?

Utilities & Conflicts

• Are there any underground utilities in the dig area?

• Are sleeves or conduits required through the footing?

Scope Clarification

• Am I responsible for excavation only, or also forming, rebar, and pour?

• Who handles backfill after the pour?

• Who provides materials (rebar, gravel, form boards, etc.)?

Weather & Site Prep

• Does the GC want frost blankets, heaters, or ground thawing?

• Is the site graded to the correct elevation before I start?

🧰 Questions for Both (Engineer + Contractor)

These are the “CYA” questions that save you from callbacks.

• What happens if we hit bad soil or groundwater?

• Who approves field changes if the plans don’t match reality?

• What is the tolerance for out‑of‑level or out‑of‑square?

• Are there any special footing pads for posts, chimneys, or load points?

• Do they want keyways or smooth top footings?

• Are anchor bolts set now or later?

If you want, I can turn this into:

• A checklist you can hand to clients

• A jobsite form for your crew

• A standard operating procedure for Built Right Construction

Just tell me the format you want and I’ll build it out.