Every deck, addition, or garage needs something holding it up below grade — and for decades in New Jersey, that’s meant digging holes and pouring concrete footings, then waiting days for them to cure before anything else can happen. There’s now a faster, cleaner alternative that’s been quietly becoming the industry standard: helical piers.
We’re proud to have partnered with Techno Metal Post, a company that’s spent over 30 years engineering helical pier foundation systems, and Jazz Construction Group is now a certified installer of their products. Here’s what helical piers are, how they compare to a traditional concrete footing, and where they make the biggest difference on a New Jersey project.
Jazz Construction Group is a certified Techno Metal Post installer, using their engineered helical pier systems and hydraulic installation equipment on qualifying projects across New Jersey.
In This Guide
Key Takeaways
- Helical piers are steel shafts with helix blades, hydraulically screwed into the ground — no digging, no concrete, no cure time.
- Construction can begin the same day piers are installed, versus days of waiting for concrete to cure.
- Each pier’s load capacity is verified during installation, using torque readings — not guesswork.
- Ideal for decks, additions, sunrooms, garages, and fences — especially on sloped, wet, or tight-access sites.
- Jazz Construction Group is a certified Techno Metal Post installer, using their engineered systems on qualifying NJ projects.
What Are Helical Piers?
A helical pier (also called a screw pile or helical pile) is a steel shaft with one or more helix-shaped blades welded to it — essentially a giant screw. A hydraulic drive head, mounted on specialized equipment, rotates the pier into the ground until it reaches the required depth and torque, at which point it’s anchored into load-bearing soil or bedrock. A bracket is then attached to the top of the pier to support a deck beam, an addition’s foundation wall, or a post.
The technology isn’t new — helical piers have been used in commercial and utility construction for decades — but engineered systems like Techno Metal Post’s have made them practical and cost-effective for residential projects, with equipment compact enough to access a typical backyard.
Helical Piers vs. Concrete Footings
Here’s how the two foundation methods actually compare on a real New Jersey project.
| Factor | Helical Piers | Concrete Footings |
|---|---|---|
| Installation time | Hours — often same day | Digging, forming, pouring, then curing |
| Cure/wait time | None — build immediately | Typically 3–7 days before building on it |
| Excavation | Minimal to none | Digging required for each footing |
| Weather dependency | Installs in most conditions | Needs dry, above-freezing conditions to cure properly |
| Load verification | Confirmed on the spot via torque reading | Relies on soil report & engineering assumptions |
| Sloped or tight-access sites | Compact equipment handles most yards | Can require significant regrading |
| Site cleanup | Little to no excess soil or debris | Excess soil removal often needed |
| Upfront material cost | Often slightly higher per point | Generally lower |
Note: Concrete footings still have their place, particularly on straightforward, easy-access sites with a tight material budget. Our team will recommend whichever method makes sense for your specific project — we’re not going to sell you a helical pier foundation you don’t need.
Wondering if helical piers make sense for your project?Get a free consultation and foundation recommendation.
Get My Free QuoteWhere We Use Helical Piers
Helical piers work well anywhere a structure needs a reliable point-load foundation, which covers most of the projects New Jersey homeowners come to us for.
Decks & Porches
The single biggest use case. Helical piers let us start framing the same day the foundation goes in — no waiting on concrete, and no messy excavation across your yard. See our outdoor living & deck services for more.
Home Additions & Sunrooms
A stable, code-compliant foundation for a new addition without the disruption of a full excavation next to your existing home. Learn more on our home additions page.
Garages & Carports
A reliable, long-lasting foundation for detached structures, installed without the heavy equipment access a poured slab often requires.
Fences & Retaining Walls
A quick, durable alternative to digging and setting posts in concrete — especially useful on rocky or uneven New Jersey lots where digging is difficult.
Cost & Installation Time
Helical pier pricing depends on the pier size, required load capacity, soil conditions, and how many points your project needs. As a general guide:
- Deck & porch piers: roughly $300 – $600 per pier installed, depending on depth and load requirements.
- Addition & structural foundation piers: typically higher per pier given larger loads and engineering requirements — we’ll provide an exact number after a site assessment.
- Installation time: most residential deck or addition foundations are installed in a single day once our crew and equipment are on site.
For a project-specific number, our deck cost guide and home addition cost guide cover full project budgets, and we’ll break out the foundation line item clearly in any quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are helical piers as strong as concrete footings?
Yes, when properly engineered and installed. Each pier’s load capacity is verified on-site during installation using torque readings, which correlate directly to bearing capacity — giving immediate, measurable confirmation rather than relying solely on a soil report.
Do helical piers work in New Jersey’s clay and rocky soil?
Yes. Helical piers are available in a range of shaft and helix sizes specifically to handle different soil conditions, from soft clay to denser, rocky New Jersey soils. Our certified installers select the right pier configuration based on the actual site conditions.
How much faster is a helical pier foundation than concrete?
A typical deck or addition foundation using helical piers is installed in a single day, and building can start immediately after. A concrete footing needs to be dug, formed, poured, and then cured for several days before it can bear a load — so helical piers can save close to a week on the front end of a project.
Is Jazz Construction Group a certified Techno Metal Post installer?
Yes. We’re a certified installer of Techno Metal Post’s helical pier systems, trained on their equipment and installation standards, which means your foundation is backed by both our craftsmanship and Techno Metal Post’s engineering and product warranties.
Do helical piers need a building permit in New Jersey?
Yes, the same as any other foundation method — your township will require a permit and inspection for a deck, addition, or garage foundation, helical piers included. We handle the permitting process as part of the project.
Build Faster with a Helical Pier Foundation
As a certified Techno Metal Post installer, we can get your deck, addition, or garage foundation in the ground — and start building — often in a single day.
Fill out the form and get a free foundation consultation for your project.
