Compare qualified professionals for soil investigations, foundation recommendations, groundwater, excavation and geotechnical reports your building permit project may require.
Permit.ca is a network. The professionals listed here are independent firms — each holds its own licence and is responsible for its own work.
You do not need to know the exact investigation method first. Start with the project and the site conditions you are dealing with.
Evaluate subsurface conditions that may affect foundation design and site preparation.
Post This Project →Review soil and foundation conditions where an addition creates new loads or excavation.
Post This Project →Assess ground, groundwater and excavation conditions where deeper or altered foundations are proposed.
Post This Project →Support building and site design with project-specific subsurface information and recommendations.
Post This Project →Review soil, slope or earth-retention conditions where geotechnical input is required.
Post This Project →Provide ground-condition information and recommendations that may inform excavation or shoring design.
Post This Project →Geotechnical requirements depend on the site, proposed work, municipality and other applicable professional requirements.
Compare the investigation, field work, testing, report deliverables and professional recommendations — not just the fee.
Actual investigation methods, deliverables, pricing and timelines depend on the site and project.
A lower quote may simply include less investigation, testing, reporting or follow-up than your project needs.
Scope and requirements vary by site, project and jurisdiction.
The required work depends on the site, proposed building and agreed professional scope.
Investigate subsurface conditions using project-appropriate field methods within the agreed scope.
Provide geotechnical recommendations that may inform foundation design and site preparation.
Observe and assess groundwater conditions where they may affect excavation, drainage or design.
Provide recommendations related to excavation, fill, backfill and earthwork within the geotechnical scope.
Assess slope or stability concerns where the site and project require specialized geotechnical analysis.
Document findings, site conditions and engineering recommendations for the project team.
The goal is not “a soil test.” It is usable engineering information about the ground conditions that can affect your building design and permit documentation.
Shown: a building footprint with two investigation points, soil layers and groundwater. Actual investigation methods and recommendations vary by project.
The ground investigation may feed several parts of the design and permit process.
Evaluates subsurface conditions and provides geotechnical findings and recommendations within the agreed scope.
Uses applicable geotechnical information when designing foundations and other structural elements.
May use site and groundwater information for grading, drainage, servicing or site design.
Coordinates the building design with site conditions and other professional inputs.
Coordinates applicable building permit documentation and submission support within the agreed scope.
May be separately required where environmental soil, contamination or other environmental questions are part of the project.
Not sure who you need? Start with the building project. The professionals you hire confirm what your project actually requires.
Geotechnical information often feeds structural, civil and architectural work. Keep files, messages, revisions and agreed milestones together.
Unexpected site conditions or new design questions can expand the geotechnical scope. Make the added field work, testing, deliverables and price visible first.
Additional work should be agreed and funded before it starts.
Share the property, proposed building work and any known site concerns.
Review relevant geotechnical engineers by scope, qualifications, deliverables and quote.
Confirm field work, testing, reporting, timing and milestones.
Track findings, recommendations, revisions and project files.
Use the completed professional information for the applicable design and building permit process.
Fund an agreed milestone via Interac e-Transfer into your Permit Wallet. Review submitted work, approve the milestone or request revisions within the agreed scope. A dispute process is available.
Client approval begins the seven-day vendor payout period.
No. Permit.ca is a network that connects clients with independent geotechnical engineers and other design and building professionals. Permit.ca is not an engineering or architectural firm and does not directly provide geotechnical engineering or other regulated professional services.
A geotechnical engineer evaluates subsurface and ground conditions that may affect foundations, excavation, groundwater, slopes and other site-related design decisions. The exact scope depends on the property, proposed work and jurisdiction.
A project may need geotechnical engineering when foundation design, excavation, groundwater, slope conditions, fill, poor soil or other subsurface conditions need professional investigation or recommendations.
Depending on the scope, a geotechnical report may summarize investigation findings, subsurface conditions, groundwater observations and recommendations for foundations, slabs, excavation, backfill, drainage or other project-specific items.
No. Geotechnical engineering focuses on ground behaviour and design-related soil or rock conditions. Environmental investigation addresses contamination and other environmental concerns. Some projects may require both.
No. Investigation methods depend on the property, proposed work and professional judgment. The geotechnical engineer you hire confirms the appropriate investigation scope.
A geotechnical engineer may provide foundation-related recommendations based on the investigated ground conditions. The structural engineer or other responsible design professional uses applicable geotechnical information in the building design.
Yes, where included in scope. Groundwater observations and excavation-related recommendations may be part of the geotechnical work depending on the project and site conditions.
Compare the investigation scope, number and type of investigation points, laboratory testing, report deliverables, recommendations, additional reviews, timeline, milestones and total fee.
No. Geotechnical information can support the design and application process, but the applicable authority determines whether a building permit or other approval is issued.
Post the project, compare investigation scope, reports, recommendations, timeline and pricing, then choose the professional that fits the site and the work.
