Cast in place vs. Precast: One Delays, One Delivers
With Pole Base precast light pole bases, you can avoid the delays and unpredictability of cast-in-place foundations. Watch the video to see how precast stacks up, then try the calculator to find out how much time and profit you could save with Pole Base. It’s precast vs. cast in place—see the difference for yourself.
Precast light pole bases VS. Cast-in-Place concrete bases: Ready, set, FIGHT!
Just kidding about the fight part. Let’s break down the key differences between these two site lighting foundation systems so that your next site lighting construction project is your best yet.
Precast Concrete Light Pole Bases
The most important difference between Pole Base and cast-in-place bases is that Pole Base arrives on the jobsite, completely ready for installation. There’s no waiting for concrete to cure or messing with conduit, anchor bolt projections, and steel reinforcement onsite. Get exactly what your project needs, delivered straight to the jobsite. Pole Base producers across the U.S. and Canada create each Pole Base in a controlled environment, ensuring proper strength and aesthetics with every pour. Install using an augered process or excavator, but install in a fraction of the time it takes to install cast-in-place. We’re talking about labor savings that span days long. Kind of a no-brainer in today’s work smarter, not harder culture, wouldn’t you say? Also, let’s not forget, labor savings = cost savings. Bingo.
Cast-in-Place Concrete Light Pole Bases
Alright, so take a big cardboard tube, fit it into an augered hole. Now, outfit your rebar, conduit, and bolt projections and stuff those in the tube. Now get a cement truck, or make your own cement onsite, and pour it in the tube. But wait–don’t let your conduit, rebar, and bolt projections loose their proper position. And did it just start raining? Better stop and resume when the weather’s dry. And when you finally get that base properly cured 5-7 days later, go ahead and peel off the cardboard tube to see–hold on–are those unsightly bumps and rings? You get the idea. Not only does installing cast-in-place bases take a lot more time, but the results are, simply put, not great. You want your clients to return and hire you again, right?
That’s where Pole Base comes in. See for yourself in our Precast vs. Cast-in-Place video.
Precast vs. Cast-in-Place Pole Base Installation
In the race for best base, it’s not even close. Pole Base ensures you cross the finish line sooner.
Calculate your time and risk savings
Winning with Pole Base
More Predictable. More Profitable
Prefabrication ensures the bases are crafted when you need them and to your project’s specifications, including junction boxes, conduit, rebar reinforcement, and bolt patterns.
Install Anytime, In Any Temps
No more delays waiting for the weather to clear or temperatures to improve. Installation is quick, easy, and on your timetable, not Mother Nature’s.
Hours or Days? It’s Your Call
Pole Base light pole bases can host lights the very same day they’re placed in the ground. Even with optimum weather and perfect scheduling, installing lights on a cast-in-place base requires multiple days.
- Day 1 Prep the site and pour the concrete
- Day 2 Remove the tube
- Day 3, 4, 5… Wait for the base to fully cure
Superior Quality Control
A controlled production environment means the materials, mix, and curing conditions are never compromised by external factors or costly mistakes in the field. Your project gets a stronger (4,000 PSI), more consistent light pole base and you get the peace of mind that comes with it.
A Concrete Comparison
How Pole Base stacks up against cast-in-place concrete bases.
Pole Base: A Concrete Advantage for Projects Across the Country
Pole Base precast light pole foundations have been difference-makers for plenty of projects, both large and small.
Fulfillment Center Project Maximizes Savings
A 2.5 million-square-foot (233,000-square-meter) fulfillment center in Bakersfield, California, needed 135 bases for its parking lot lighting. And the bases needed to range in height from four to 11 feet (1.2 to 3.5 meters) tall. CalPortland Concrete Products (formerly Southwest Concrete Products) got it done with Pole Base.
Multi-Phase Marina Development Avoids Getting Soaked
Serious groundwater complications jeopardized the Fort Pierre, South Dakota, Riverwalk Landing marina development along the Missouri River. Pole Base precast foundations were used to safeguard against potential water table issues impacting the overhead lights illuminating the development’s 130-space parking lot.
Sports Complex Doesn’t Play Games with Mother Nature
The King Louie Sports Complex in Lousiville, Kentucky, needed high-quality lighting to illuminate its volleyball, soccer, football, and field hockey surfaces. The lights had to be installed in the midst of inclement weather and also needed to match the aesthetics of the facility. Pole Base foundations were created with a Ledgestone texture and color to match nearby amphitheater seating.