---
title: "Helical Piers vs. Concrete Footings: Best Foundation for Decks?"
description: Helical piers or concrete footings — which is better for building a deck? Compare cost, speed, and performance to find the best solution for your next project.
---

[blog](https://sptechmn.com/blog)

# [Helical Piers vs. Concrete Footings: Best Foundation for Decks?](https://sptechmn.com/blog/helical-piers-vs.-concrete-footings-best-foundation-for-decks)

 Written by [Michelle Byers](https://sptechmn.com/blog/author/michelle-byers) | Jul 28, 2025 7:14:32 PM

## **Helical Piers vs. Concrete Footings: Which Is Better for Deck Construction?**

If you’re building a deck in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you’ve likely heard of two main foundation options: **traditional concrete footings** and **helical piers**. But which one is better?

Let’s break it down by what matters most — time, cost, stability, and long-term performance.

### ⏱️ Speed of Installation

- **Concrete Footings:** Require digging, setting forms, pouring concrete, and waiting several days for the concrete to cure before you can build.
- **Helical Piers:** Can be installed in less than an hour with no curing time. In most cases, you can **build your deck the same day** the piers are installed.

**✅ Winner: Helical Piers**

### 🧱 Soil Conditions

- **Concrete Footings:** Can shift or crack over time in poor soil or areas with frost heave.
- **Helical Piers:** Mechanically screwed deep below the frost line into stable soil — ideal for Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles.

**✅ Winner: Helical Piers**

### 💵 Cost Comparison

- **Concrete Footings:** Lower material cost, but higher labor and potential rework costs if conditions are poor or footings fail.
- **Helical Piers:** Higher up-front cost per pier, but reduced labor and faster timelines often lower the **total project cost**.

**✅ Winner: Tie — depends on the job site.**

### 🔧 Precision and Load Capacity

- **Concrete Footings:** Placement can be imprecise, especially with shifting soil.
- **Helical Piers:** Installed with torque-monitoring equipment, giving you verified load capacity and pinpoint placement.

**✅ Winner: Helical Piers**

### ♻️ Environmental Impact

- **Concrete Footings:** Require excavation, disposal of soil, and contribute to runoff.
- **Helical Piers:** Minimal disruption to the ground — no digging, no concrete, no mess.

**✅ Winner: Helical Piers**

### Final Verdict

If you want **speed, precision, and long-term performance**, **helical piers are the clear winner** for most deck projects. Especially in northern climates, they’re quickly becoming the preferred choice for both contractors and homeowners.

### Bonus: Install Faster with SPTech

SPTech supplies **ICC-Certified PierTech® helical piers** and brackets — with quick** pickup** from our Loretto, MN facility. Work with our team or become a certified installer and get fast access, engineering support, and premium materials.

➡️ [Learn more about helical piers for decks](https://sptechmn.com/elevate-your-deck-building-business-with-sptech)

[View full post](https://sptechmn.com/blog/helical-piers-vs.-concrete-footings-best-foundation-for-decks)

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