Installing a steel column follows the same basic sequence whether it is a single post in a basement or a line of columns on a commercial job: design and permit, footing or pier, fabrication, then on site the column is set, levelled, plumbed, fastened top and bottom and, where detailed, grouted, followed by inspection. In a house, the extra step is temporary shoring to carry the structure while an old post or wall comes out. Most of the time on a column job goes into what happens before install day.
This article explains what to expect at each stage, who usually does what, and what to check in an installation estimate. It isn't a how-to: structural work needs a designer or engineer and, in most cases, a building permit.
Two kinds of column jobs
Residential posts. Basement posts under a main beam, posts at the ends of a new beam where a wall was removed, garage and deck posts. These are usually HSS or pipe posts with welded base and cap plates, installed under an existing house. The work is done by hand or with small lifting equipment, in tight spaces, while the house stays occupied.
Building columns. Columns for commercial, industrial and multi-storey work. These are set on anchor rods cast into footings or pedestals, lifted by crane or other equipment, and erected as part of a steel frame. Our article on the steel erection process and sequence covers frame erection in more depth.
The principles are the same: the column has to sit on a proper foundation, at the right height, plumb, and connected so it can't move.
Before install day
The work that sets up a smooth install:
- Design. The designer or engineer specifies the column size, the base and cap details, the connection to the beam, and the footing. For a house, Section 9.17. of the Ontario Building Code covers columns within Part 9, and anything outside it is engineered.
- Permit. For structural changes, the drawings go to the municipality for a building permit. Work should not start before it is issued.
- Shop drawings and fabrication. The fabricator details each column with exact lengths, plates and holes, and the columns are cut, welded and marked to suit.
- Footings and anchor rods. New footings are formed and poured, or existing ones are checked against the drawings. For building columns, anchor rods are cast in, ideally set with a template that matches the base plate drilling.
- Survey. For building columns, someone checks anchor rod positions and top-of-concrete elevations before steel arrives. Problems found now are far cheaper than problems found with a column hanging from a crane.
For a basement post, the fabricator also needs accurate field measurements, because the post has to fit the exact space between the footing and the beam.
What happens on a residential post installation
A typical basement post replacement or new post goes like this:
- Protection and access. Floors and the path through the house are protected. Steel posts are heavy and long, so the route into the basement is planned.
- Temporary shoring. Before the existing post, wall or telepost is removed, the beam or floor above is supported on temporary shores or a temporary wall. This is the step you should never skip or rush.
- Removing the old post. The old post comes out once the load is on the shoring.
- Footing work. If the drawings call for a new or larger footing, the slab is cut, the footing is excavated and poured, and it must gain strength before it is loaded. This step often sets the timeline.
- Setting the post. The new post is set on the footing, plumbed, and fastened at the bottom to the footing and at the top to the beam, as detailed.
- Releasing the shoring. The load is transferred onto the new post and the shores come out.
- Inspection and patching. The building inspector checks the work as the permit requires, then the slab and finishes are made good.
For a step-by-step look at basement posts specifically, see how to install a lally column in a basement.
What happens on a building column installation
For columns on anchor rods, the sequence on site usually looks like this:
- Check the foundation. Anchor rod projection, thread condition, position and concrete elevation are confirmed.
- Set the elevation. Levelling nuts, shims or setting plates are placed so the base plate lands at the right height.
- Lift and land. The column is lifted, the base plate is guided over the rods and set down, and nuts are installed.
- Plumb and stabilize. The column is plumbed and held with temporary bracing or guys until beams and bracing make the frame stable. CSA S16 requires columns to have at least four anchor rods for erection safety, with special precautions where that isn't feasible, as the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction explains with reference to the 2014 edition.
- Connect the frame. Beams and bracing are connected, and the frame is checked for plumb and alignment.
- Grout the bases. The gap under the base plates is filled with non-shrink grout, as covered in our guide to grouting base plates.
The details of setting columns on footings and pedestals, including what happens when anchor rods are out of position, are covered in setting steel columns on footings and pedestals.
Steel erection on Ontario construction projects is also governed by occupational health and safety rules, so expect the erector to have a safety plan, fall protection and lifting procedures in place.
Inspections and sign-off
Who inspects depends on the project:
- Building inspector. For permitted work, the municipality inspects at the stages the permit lists. On a basement job that often includes the footing before it is poured and the framing before it is covered.
- Engineer of record. On engineered work, the engineer may need to review the installation, or confirm that field changes are acceptable.
- Third-party inspection. On larger projects, the specification may call for independent inspection of bolting, welding or erection tolerances.
Don't close up drywall or pour over anything until the required inspections are done.
What goes into a steel column installation estimate
We don't publish prices because every job is different, but these are the items that make up an installation estimate, and the ones to check when comparing quotes:
| Item | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Columns and plates | Are fabrication, shop drawings and welding included? What finish? |
| Delivery | Is delivery to site included, and where on site? |
| Labour | How many workers and how long on site? |
| Equipment | Is lifting equipment included, if it is needed? |
| Shoring | Is temporary shoring included, and who designs it if required? |
| Removal | Does the quote include removing and disposing of the old post? |
| Footings | Are new footings, slab cutting and concrete included, or by others? |
| Grouting | Who supplies and places grout under base plates? |
| Permit and engineering | Are drawings and the permit in the price, or the owner's responsibility? |
| Finishing | Slab patching, drywall, paint: included or not? |
Scope gaps are the most common source of surprise extras. A lower quote that leaves out shoring or footings isn't actually lower. Our article on hiring steel erectors in Ontario covers what to ask before you award the work.
Columns supplied and installed
We fabricate steel and HSS columns and posts with base and cap plates welded on, prepare shop drawings in-house and weld in a CWB certified shop. We supply and install structural steel and rebar, from basement beams and posts on residential builds to larger commercial projects, and deliver across the GTA and Ontario. Engineering services are available for projects that need them.
Send your drawings or project details for a quote, or see our services for fabrication, delivery and installation.
Frequently asked questions
How is a steel column installed?
The footing or pier is built first, with anchor rods or a bearing surface at the right elevation. The column is fabricated to the drawings, set on the footing, levelled, plumbed and fastened top and bottom, then the base is grouted where the detail calls for it. In a house, the structure above is shored before an existing post or wall is removed.
Do you need a permit to install a steel post in a basement?
Replacing, adding or moving a structural post is a structural alteration, and Ontario municipalities normally require a building permit with drawings from a qualified designer or engineer. Check with your local building department before any work starts.
How long does a steel post installation take?
The on-site work for a simple basement post replacement is often short. Most of the time goes into the steps before it: drawings, the permit, footing work if needed, and fabrication. Ask for a schedule with your quote, since it depends on the job.
What is included in a steel column installation estimate?
Usually the fabricated columns with plates, delivery, site labour and any equipment needed to set them. Shoring, footings, grouting, removal of the old post and finishing may or may not be included, so check the scope line by line.
