Growing a Small Construction Company with a Quality Product and Valuable Partners

Ask Conte Company how they grew their small construction company into one of the leading installers of helical piles in the Northeast, and you’ll always get the same answer. Deep roots in the community, powerful innovation… and their incredible team.

A big part of Conte’s great team are the valued strategic partnerships they’ve built over the years. In particular, Hubbell-Chance®, Caterpillar®, Earth Anchoring Suppliers and H.O. Penn top the list. These legendary companies have formed a team that supports Conte with timely innovation, fantastic customer service and loyal friendship.

Hubbell-Chance: The strongest, longest-lasting piles on earth

Since 2007, Conte has grown its helical pile work steadily from a small construction company, and is now the foremost installer of Chance helical piers in New England. This newer type of business specializes in design-build installation of helical pile foundations, which are steel screw-in ground anchored systems used for building and repairing deep foundations. This geotechnical/structural work is led by third-generation, Matt Conte, who received an engineering degree from Syracuse University.

“With the type of industrial work that we do, a driven pile or a vibratory pile is not allowed. The helical pile system is not as cumbersome on a site that’s more sensitive because it’s just screwed into the ground with very small equipment. And the soils in the northeast actually work pretty well with the helical pile system.”

Conte is often the first choice of general contractors in need of helical piles for deep foundations, because few have the expertise and partnership support of a great company like Chance.

Caterpillar: Equipment that gets the job done… day-after-day

Many foundation jobs require equipment that must fit into very small spaces. And, while Chance helical piles are the best in the industry, they might never get drilled into the ground if it weren’t for Caterpillar machines.

Caterpillar has a tremendous selection of small equipment that keeps Conte Company working in places that other small construction companies dare not go! For example, Conte uses the versatile Cat®314C Small Excavator to bore into the soil and drive the helical piles deep underground.

“We own nothing but Cat equipment in all different shapes and sizes. All our machines are equipped with quick couplers, which make switching attachments easy. Each machine is able to operate with the various attachments, which is one thing we’ve always liked about Caterpillar—with our backhoe and wheel loader the attachments work on all the machines. And all three of our mini excavators can use the same attachments.”

Today, Matt’s brother Anthony Conte, who heads up many of the specialty site work projects, says that the interchangeability of Cat attachments increases versatility for his entire fleet. They can now do more with less and that’s huge when it comes to foundation work.

“We’re always working in rock or poor soil conditions. So having equipment with versatile attachments—whether it be a hammer, a pile driver, an auger, or a different style bucket—it helps us perform our work that much faster and more effectively.”

Matt and Anthony also admire the sheer power of their Cat machines, which are really handy for lifting heavy equipment and boring large diameter piles.

“The smaller equipment is stronger and it can lift a bigger pile driver. We can now use a three-ton, where maybe with another brand we would have to use a four-ton pile driver—and there’s a big difference between those two size-wise when you’re going underneath a building or going inside a garage or a basement. This makes it a lot easier for mobilization, and it’s a much smaller piece of equipment to bring on the job site, and that’s why Caterpillar has been great for us.”

Earth Anchoring Suppliers: Always there for anything we need

Conte Company has been working with EAS for years. As exclusive distributors for Chance Helical Pile in the Northeast, their team has an extensive knowledge and understanding of deep foundations and helical pier products, that goes well beyond their competitors.

“They really do have some of the best prices in the industry, and they’re always willing to work with us on the cost. Of course we’re one of their best customers, but they always treat us like the only one they have.”

When your business consists of installing helical piles, it’s really important to have a good relationship with your pile supplier. EAS always gets back to us fast with material quotes, they almost always have exactly what we need in-stock.

“EAS brings the piles where and when we need it… We barely even have to think about delivery anymore.”

It’s no coincidence that Conte Company shares a similar service area with Earth Anchoring Suppliers. We have a common interest in developing long term relationships with our customers and we both understand that providing a superior product, at a great price, is the best way to do that. Once you can provide that consistently, everything else… the mutual respect and the loyalty fall in line. EAS has been an incredibly valuable partner over the years, and we expect many more to come.

H.O. Penn: Conte Company’s exclusive distributor for Caterpillar machinery

Patriarch, Jim Conte, made his first purchase of Cat equipment for his small construction company in 1990 when he was starting a new project that required more powerful machinery. “At that point, it seemed like a good idea to start fresh with new equipment and we gave it a shot,” he says. “And we haven’t left since.”

“Whether it’s a rental we have from H.O. Penn or a piece of equipment that we own, we never have a problem with Cat machines.”

It’s true that if you take care of ’em, Cat machines will last a long, long time. But none of that matters without sheer power. By renting a Cat machine as opposed to another brand, Conte is able to lift a 400-pound pile driver with a two-ton machine, with plenty of power left over to drive the piles. “To have that ability with a smaller machine is a real advantage for us.”

H.O. Penn has been an incredible partner over the years. Even when a small construction company like Conte isn’t quite ready to purchase, they will always offer a temporary solution.

“They’ve always worked with us to come up with a solution, and 99 percent of the time, we end up purchasing the equipment anyway.”

Adds Anthony, “You’re not going to beat the relationship that we have with H.O. Penn. They really stay on an even keel, whether it involves purchasing equipment, service, parts—there’s never an issue, and they are always there for us no matter what we need.”

From a Small Construction COmpany, To all of our Valued partners

Conte Company wouldn’t be where it is today without our strategic partners like Chance, Caterpillar, H.O. Penn, and the dozens of other companies we work with every single day. Every single one helps us create a better product, which leads to happy customers.

“So to all of our incredible partners, Thank You!”

– The Conte Family


In case you missed it, Conte Company was featured in Caterpillar’s Industry Magazine…


Read the Article


Want to join the Conte Company Team? We’re always looking for great new strategic partners.

Contact us today!

Building in a Flood Zone: 5 Tips for Hurricane Construction

Building in a Flood Zone - Tips for Hurricane Construction

When the weather turns downright dangerous, like it did with recent Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, saving lives is the number one priority. But when the wind finally calms, the rain finally stops and the skies turn blue, we look at property damage to evaluate how bad a storm really was. Victims of lost homes and other property damage need to know how to repair the devastation left behind and how to prepare for building in a flood zone in the future.

You’ll find our list of tips for hurricane construction below, but first, we want to show you why we feel so passionately about preparing for hurricanes and flooding through proper construction techniques.

We talked to Matt Conte, our 3rd generation owner of Conte Company, who understands that storm repairs are about more than just fixing houses. It’s about coming together as a community to help put people’s lives back together and get things back to normal. As we keep those in Houston and Florida in our hearts and minds during the devastating aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma; and as we prepare ourselves for a less ferocious Hurricane Jose in the Northeast, we can’t help but think back to two storms that ravaged our own community, just a few years ago…

The two storms that changed the way we think about coastal construction in New England…

Hurricane Irene was the storm that hit the East Coast of the United States during late August 2011 and ranks as the eighth-costliest hurricane in United States history. Here in CT, Irene dropped a devastating amount of rainfall, washing away roads, bridges and anything else in the flooding rivers’ path. Some major highways were closed for days and more than half the state lost power. But Irene couldn’t compare to Sandy, which arrived a year later. 

Hurricane Sandy (a.k.a. “Superstorm Sandy“) was the second-costliest hurricane in U.S. history, affecting 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. New Jersey, New York and Connecticut were hit particularly hard. All said and done, damage in the United States amounted to $71.4 billion.

Sandy completely destroyed thousands of Northeastern shoreline homes, and in some cases leveled entire neighborhoods. In cities that were completely unprepared for such an event, streets, tunnels and subway lines were flooded and made transportation impossible in one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world.

“At Conte Company, we remember all too well the damage that these two storms inflicted. We were there in the days that followed, surveying the damage and helping people figure out what to do next. As one of the premier pile construction companies in the area, we had a unique perspective and a service that was suddenly in high demand.”

Helical pile foundations can help prevent hurricane damage

There were lucky ones too… But even many of homes with little damage needed to be raised to comply with new flood zone regulations and insurance requirements. In some areas, the flood line was raised by as much as two feet, which may not seem like a lot, but when it comes to flood-prone construction, every inch can make a difference.

Some were extra-un-lucky… Many houses were built on deep pile foundations and survived both storms, but many did not learn their lesson after the first one. Only one year after Irene’s massive clean-up effort began, Sandy barreled through and again destroyed some of the homes that were just rebuilt. In most cases though, those homes were built on the same types of foundations that failed the first time around.

“We felt just awful for people that had to rebuild and lift their homes twice in one year, but these homeowners went through even more hell when FEMA ran out of money after Sandy.”

Financing from FEMA decided whose houses were fixed and whose were not…

Immediately after Irene, FEMA money arrived quickly and homeowners poured all available funds into new construction. Conte Company helped many dig out and lift their homes quickly with new pile installations and the region recovered relatively quickly.

But the story was very different with Hurricane Sandy which pounded the East Coast just a year later. At first, FEMA was very responsive to Sandy. As long as a homeowner’s claim seemed legitimate, the money came through and people could hire contractors to rebuild and lift their homes. But soon, Sandy projects started taking an unusually long time to get financed… FEMA was simply running out of money. After two back-to-back, very deadly, very destructive hurricanes, they could not meet their financial commitments to ill-fated homeowners who were building in a flood zone.

For some, there was a government program called the Superstorm Sandy Relief Fund, which tried to help a few homeowners in the direst of straights. But today, many who did not qualify for this program have homes which still remain condemned, with “NO OCCUPANCY” stickers plastered to the front door.

Rebuilding homes that are literally and figuratively “underwater”…

When homeowners in this region did not receive the funds they expected, Conte Company knew they had to play a big part in the recovery process, for the sake of the community.

“In many of Connecticut’s beachfront areas, many homeowners were first wiped out by Irene, then by Sandy and then by FEMA’s dried up funding.”

Homeowners were holding onto properties with negative equity, and banks generally don’t refinance a home in that type of financial situation. Conte Company knew up front there wasn’t going to be a lot of money for repair, but felt duty-bound to help a community that has supported their business since the 1940s.

Conte Company took it upon themselves to work with a number of general contractors. Ones they knew could do the job the right way, make honest recommendations to homeowners and wanted to give a little back to a hurting community. They were able to lower their own subcontractor rates in order to assist these hand-picked GCs, who working hard for Sandy victims, to rebuild some homes, and help some people put their lives back together.

“In some cases, we lowered our pricing more than we should have, but if we didn’t, the competition would come in and do an inferior job. We couldn’t have that. We wanted them to be happy again. With the repair and with us. But mostly with their lives.”

Many people are back in their homes today because Conte Company was able to help them with costs after FEMA’s coffers were empty. Unfortunately, Conte couldn’t help everyone — there was just too much damage. Thousands of homeowners who were building in a flood zone had to abandon their properties completely, as the cost to rebuild was just too high.

Building in a Flood Zone: How to construct a home that will survive the storm…

To this day, Conte Company is often asked to check homes that were repaired after Sandy by less-than-qualified builders. Many of the issues they find are (or will cause) significant problems when the next hurricane comes roaring through. Some of these homes’ problems were simply never addressed, not necessarily because those builders were dishonest, but more likely because someone didn’t understand, or care, what the real problems actually were.

In the wake of the most recent superstorms to slam the U.S., there is no better time to discuss these issues which apply to both new and existing construction. As experts in the industry, we thought it makes sense to give people our best advice and recommendations for hurricane-proofing your new home, or repairing your old one.

The 5 Most Important Tips for Hurricane-Proof Home Construction

1. Hire a Reputable Structural Engineer

No project is ever the same and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Trust your project engineer to make appropriate recommendations about your home’s foundation. Don’t have one you can trust? We work with plenty and are happy to refer you.

2. Lift Your Home Above the Floodline

Building in a flood zone can be somewhat nerve-racking for a homeowner, but you can greatly limit your potential for damage simply by making sure it’s out of the floodwater’s way. Most of the real damage is done by high waters and the pounding surf of wave action, not by high winds.

3. Use Helical Piles for Deep Foundation Support

As some of the most versatile pile types around, helical piles can be installed in just about any environment. When properly designed, helical piles can also provide:

  • excellent lateral load to resist winds in high-velocity zones
  • substantial uplift capacities to keep your house from floating away
  • exceptional scour support incase of soil erosion below your house
  • and here’s some more info on helical piles

4. Use Piles to Support Every Structure on the Property

Grade beams are a great way to connect all the piles for each structure to support the load with an interconnected system of foundations. Grade beams are installed below grade to create a solid foundation spanning from pile to pile. Every external structure should be connected, including the deck, garage, pool, stairs, patio, etc.

5. Don’t Cut Corners, Don’t Use Band-Aids

If you are building in a flood zone, remember one thing…

“Doing it once the right way, means you don’t have to do it twice later. Even if you do it cheap twice, it will end up being more expensive than doing it right the first time.”

Hurricane Damage?

Conte Company performs structural and site repairs like as underpinning, supports and responsible replacement of scoured material. Make sure the job is done right, so you don’t have to do it twice.

Call Conte Company Today

Driving Piles Next to Jets: Behind the Scenes at Logan International Airport

Building Pile Foundationsat Logan International Airport

At Conte Company, we do construction work in all sorts of places, driving piles and building foundations for boardwalks, schools, houses, shopping malls, industrial plants and some other really cool sites. Once in a while we land a job that’s loaded with logistical obstacles which could easily lead to delays and complications.

We’re always up for a good challenge, and the trick is to make sure our customers are happy and relaxed from beginning to end. We do this with meticulous planning and foresight. Not only for the work that needs to get done, but to anticipate all those little things that can add up to big headaches if preparations and contingencies are not in place. We bend over backward for our clients!

When the Airport Authority is the Client

A traveler running to catch a flight will rarely have time to notice the complicated infrastructure of departure airports. But, if he did take a good look around, he might notice that the tarmacs, runways, hangers, passenger gates and terminals are in a perpetual state of upgrade or repair.

Recently, Conte Company was awarded a construction contract from Logan International Airport, a very busy hub just outside metropolitan Boston, MA. Logan covers 2,384 acres, has six runways and four passenger terminals. It employs an estimated 16,000 people and is the largest airport in the New England with 36 million total passengers passing through the terminals annually.

From a general contractor’s perspective, driving piles for this job might not seem particularly challenging. Conte was hired to simply install helical piles for an airport expansion; specifically to enlarge gated terminals and add a few new gangways, used for boarding passengers.

As it turned out, this job was extremely challenging from a logistical, and a customer service point of view. Why? Precisely because of where the job was located; at an international airport with reams of security and safety regulations! Not to mention the timing and precision requirements of an airport open for business 24/7, with activity both on the ground and in the air. It’s a busy place!

Security and Safety

Before we were even allowed to step foot onto the tarmac, each and every one of our crew had to clear thorough background checks and fingerprinting to satisfy Massport (The Massachusetts Port Authority) and MA State Troopers. Then we all had to go through a rigorous safety training program, anti-terrorism certification and a personal screening process just to be allowed to work on the premises. It took a full month before the certifications and checks were completed, and no work could begin until everyone had been cleared.

“Every time we entered the gates, everything had to be checked. Every toolbox had to be opened, engines, undercarriage, materials and people were scanned. Once inside, we could not leave the airport at will because we had to be searched each and every time. But, we are a company that enjoys a good challenge — and being flexible and adhering to our customer’s requirements is one of the things we do better than everyone else.”

Equipment Transport

When our guys were finally cleared to work, it was time for Conte Company to transport all of the necessary equipment for driving piles: trucks, trailers, excavators and pile materials onto the site. Imagine driving oddly shaped equipment out onto tarmacs while huge commercial jets are taxiing back and forth between gates and runways. Fortunately, as Conte Company specializes in helical pile technology, the transport was relatively seamless. Only small trucks were necessary to move all the installation equipment into place.

An unexpected problem did arise when Conte Company learned we would not be allowed to transport pre-mixed concrete to the site. The airport authority did not want concrete trucks coming in-and-out, or idling near the terminal, for security and logistical reasons. As a result, we had to mix all of the concrete on-site, by hand.

Work Space Limitations

On an airport tarmac, wing lines are drawn on the pavement to show where planes with various wing spans are allowed to taxi. As contractors, we could not place any equipment within these lines because it would block planes from taxiing to-and-from the gates to the runways. The very limited space between these wing lines is the only path allotted for all other types of tarmac traffic and construction equipment.

Again, as we were employing a helical pile system for the foundation of the terminal expansion, we only needed small installation equipment. We employed a 4-ton excavator, a 14-ton ex and a 15 ton rubber tire ex in order to meet certain access limitations for different parts of the project. Each of these have the ability to rotate within its own footprint without hitting or blocking any jets.

“We were working in such a tight space that the arm of our excavator could have swung around and hit the plane behind us! Needless to say, we were EXTREMELY careful… And no, we never hit anything.”

Working in such close quarters could have been catastrophic with larger equipment. If another piling method was used for the building foundations, the Airport Authority would have likely needed to shut down the nearby gates, creating delays for passengers around the world.

Safety of Passengers and Workers

Installing piles for the terminals, gates and gangways of a working airport means that people are everywhere! Imagine the responsibility of drilling very close to where passengers are boarding planes. But, because our team is trained to put the safety of people first, there was never a problem. The passengers barely noticed we were there and the Airport Authority was delighted with the seamless process.

The Soil Conditions

As geotechnical contractors, the soil conditions influencing this job were fascinating to us. Boston is a city basically built on marshland. To complicate things, Logan Airport itself, sits atop a man-made landfill and 15 feet of dense compacted gravel. Below that was anywhere from 60-140 feet of infamous Boston Clay. And below that was a layer very dense till… oh, and by the way, it’s all capped off by 2 feet of solid asphalt!

It was a serious challenge, to say the least. It was determined that we needed to drill our piles somewhere between 70-140 feet deep to assure stability and anchor into the till far below the asphalt. It was up to us to figure out how to do that.

The top 10-15 feet of the gravel was incredibly hard and much too dense for standard helical equipment to get through. Ultimately, we decided to pre-drill to break up the gravel which prevented the piles from buckling or breaking. Once we hit the clay the helical piles could screw in easily and take it from there. We built custom, reinforced digger-plates which we used to pull grout down through the gravel to encase the entire piles in a concrete column.

In the end, it all worked out nicely. We hit a couple obstructions and had to re-drill once or twice, but ultimately, the plan succeeded! At Conte Company, creativity runs deep and everything we customized for this project worked just as we designed it.

In case you’re curious about driving piles, we installed CHANCE® SS225 Helical Piles with 7″ grout shafts, load tested for 140 kips (or 70 tons).

Complicated logistics and damage control

As a contractor that specializes in foundation work, Conte Co always performs our work with precision. Even so, a minimum $10M insurance umbrella was mandatory to win the contract (obviously, it’s very expensive to repair a damaged jet).

With Conte’s helical pile technology, there is no pounding and little chance of debris shooting away and hitting planes, terminal windows, passengers or workers. Alternate methods of foundation work could have made a real mess of the surroundings and an injury hazard for the airport’s customers.

The Logan Airport job was completed in just a few weeks over the course of a full year. It was a great experience for us, and a successful install, because Conte Company knows how to plan for contingencies. And even when we don’t anticipate something strange, we bend over backwards to meet our clients’ needs.

Wetland Boardwalk Construction: Solutions for a Fragile Eco-System

The Quequechan River Rail-Trail Project is a beautiful example of wetland boardwalk construction

Building a boardwalk over wetlands is a great way to add value to a community. Wetland boardwalks give the public a way to enjoy the beauty of nature, in place that would otherwise be off-limits. But building a walkway in such a fragile environment brings many challenges. Especially in environmentally protected areas, there are a number of factors that need to be considered in wetland boardwalk construction.

One of our recent boardwalk construction jobs in Fall River, Massachusetts is a perfect example of how a great site plan, combined with a little creativity and lots of experience can result in a breathtaking natural sanctuary for the public to explore.

The Quequechan River Rail-Trail

For over 30 years the Rails to Trails Conservancy® has been helping to transform unused railroad corridors into vibrant public places to be enjoyed by the community. The initiative has been so successful that public and private funds have poured into new, local projects all over the country. 

Conte Company had a great opportunity to work on just such a project last year in Fall River, Massachusetts. The beautiful landscape, full of wildlife in a robust wetland sanctuary challenged us to complete a highly-sensitive, environmental project using our highly adaptable, helical pile expertise.

Now completed, we are extremely proud of this project and happy to bring the story of its construction to our readers. Like us, most of you love being outdoors, enjoying what nature has to offer while maintaining its pristine beauty. Fall River wanted the same for their residents and decided to complete part of a hiking and biking trail that followed the old Fall River Rail Line. The rail bed was being recycled with help from the Rails to Trails folks, who sponsor these kinds of projects all over the USA.

During the wetland boardwalk construction on the Quequechan River

A Boardwalk Foundation Supported by Mud

In a nutshell, we were asked to connect a trail that ran down the center of a few tiny islands while making the island trails accessible from each river bank. The islands were separated by stretches of the flowing water, swampy wetlands and various grades of soft wet soil. Our mission was to develop a support system for four bridges which would seamlessly connect the trails running through these islands.

Using helical piles to build or repair a boardwalk is not uncommon. In fact, for building on wetlands, helical piers are the most effective solution to support paths, bridges and walkways. So when we first heard about this boardwalk construction project in Fall River, we knew it had our name all over it. We had the expertise, the experience and the attention to detail to do the job right.

We live to find new and better ways to build stronger foundations, which is why we are the #1 installer of Chance® Helical Piles in New England! After a few references from previous projects, the general contractor knew that our construction footprint would be nowhere to be found once the pathway was complete. And so, the job was ours.

Working in a Protected Eco-System

To dig right in, this project pitted a variety of environmental challenges against the special requirements of the boardwalk. First and foremost, protection of the wetland plants and animals inhabiting the river and surrounding marshes topped the priority list. A tricky work environment, unpredictable soil conditions and a litany of environmental regulations would be enough to scare off most contractors, but not Conte Company.

“Conte Company’s experience with environmentally sensitive areas, and the regulations protecting them, was invaluable to the success of this project.”

Strong Enough for Semis

The boardwalk requirements were challenging in-and-of itself. In short, a total of 4 bridges were needed, which had to be H20 loaded. That means they had to be strong enough to support 18 wheeler trucks! In our experience, the best way to accomplish this type of necessary support was to space the piles more closely together and use batter piles (angled supports) to resist lateral loads.

The need for this added structural strength is unusual. Most boardwalks we build are pedestrian rated and we can bring in our smaller equipment to install the piles. In this case, however, it was mandatory that the popular walking, running and biking path had access for emergency vehicles. The Quequechan River Boardwalk was designed for pedestrians, but also needed to be able to support ambulances and other first responders, which would require much bigger helical piles sizes than we would normally install. Ultimately, this job required us to bring in the big excavator in order to drive the large diameter piles into the soil beneath the water.

With all of these ingredients and the big equipment necessary to install a heavy-duty boardwalk, the project had all the ingredients for disaster… that is if a less experienced company had been hired for the job. But Fall River hired Conte Company and we’re proud to take on the most complicated wetland boardwalk construction projects.

Barges are the Answer

Given the nature of the delicate eco-system in which we need to work, the first major question that came up was:

“How do you get the big equipment where it needs to go, to do what it needs to do, without compromising the eco-system or the safety of the workers?”

The solution was barges! We’ve used barges in helical pile installations before, and they’ve worked really well. We decided that floating pontoon barges to transport equipment and materials was the way to go. The big excavators could reach over the side of the barge, lower the helical piles into the water and screw them into the ground. Our guys, on free-floating docks, would guide the helical piles into position and bolt on the extensions so they could be driven deep into the soil. Our experienced crew could focus on this intricate task because we’ve done it before. We have a lot of experience around water and didn’t forget the bug spray). At Conte Company, safety is always first!

Installing helical piles underwater for a wetland boardwalk construction project

Boardwalk Bridges, Made To Order

Two of the longer bridges were to stem from opposite shores and meet on the biggest island, allowing pedestrians to cross from one side of the river to the other. The two shorter bridges were to span a few smaller gaps over the water. The longest bridge was to be 500 feet, the shortest 100 feet, and we would have to use a grand total of 600 helical piles to make everything hook up — and stay up.

A Google satellite view of the River Rail Trail boardwalk in Fall River, MA
An aerial view of the two boardwalk bridges spanning The Quequechan River

View this project on Google Maps

The boardwalk’s roadbed was to be lined with 10-inch wide timber sections. Each section would require us to fabricate custom, galvanized beam saddles to secure the boardwalk to its helical pile system.

The general contractor fabricated each timber boardwalk section based on measurements of the piles as we installed them. And each boardwalk section was attached to the foundation as it was completed. You can think of it like a custom boardwalk assembly line. As we go, so go the boards. This requires meticulous care to ensure that each and every pile was plum, secure and properly aligned with each of the other piles.

“Helicals were really the only option on an environmentally delicate job like this.”

Batter piles and beam saddles are used with helical piles to offer aditional support
An intricate helical pile system complete with batter piles and beam saddles support the wetland boardwalk

Using Helical Piles for Boardwalks

There are three reasons why helical piles are the perfect solution for wetland boardwalk construction: Logistics, Structural Stability and Environmental Impact…

Logistically and structurally, using helical piles in wetland boardwalk construction makes a ton of sense

Simplified Logistics

Compared to other types of pile foundations, helical pile systems are easy to install and require less maneuvering room to do it. The arm of the pile driving excavator can reach out away from the machine, whereas other types of piles systems need to be drilled or driven straight down.

One-path-in and one-path-out means there’s not a lot of room for extra machinery. Fortunately, to install helical piers, you really only need the one excavator. No other pile system could be installed faster or more efficiently than helical.

High Structural Stability

As we mentioned, construction of the boardwalk itself was being measured, fit and installed right in our footsteps. This meant the foundation needed to be secure and able to hold capacity immediately. That’s sort of a trademark of screw pile systems, as they do not require concrete.

Screw piles are also incredibly stable in soft soils, like mud and riverbed. In this case we used round shaft helical piles to accommodate the potential trailer truck loads. Even if another pile system were easier to install (which it wasn’t), a helical foundation was the correct choice for the project.

Low Environmental Impact

As we mentioned, protecting the eco-system in which we were working was one of the most important aspects of this job. And helical pile systems have very little impact on their environment, even feet from where they’re being installed.

  • No Grout Necessary – No contamination to the water or the habitat.
  • No Spoils from Drilling – No dirt or mud was pulled up from screwing the piles into the ground.
  • Only Piles Remain – Nothing goes into the water except for shiny, galvanized, steel piles.
  • No Danger to Wildlife – Piles are screwed deep underground, posing no threat to living things.
  • Finished Fast – Completed in just a few months, the environment was to back to normal before Springtime!

“All of this had to be done in real time, while working on a barge, floating in 6 feet of water, in an environmentally protected area, alongside birds, fish and turtles. This job was interesting, to say the least.”

Building a boardwalk in the wetlands means working alongside birds, fish and turtles

All-in-all we couldn’t be happier with how this project tuned out. If you’ve got a boardwalk project and need some expert advice, give us a call. Our experience with wetland boardwalk construction and pile foundation systems makes us one of the most qualified contractors in the country.

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Quequechan River Boardwalk in Winter
Even in Winter, the Quequechan River Boardwalk can be enjoyed by all

Construction Project Managers: How Do You Lighten the Workload?

construction-project-manager-workload

A construction project manager always needs to be in two places at once.

  1. In the office, planning the project and seeking out potential subs.
  2. And on-site, making sure the project is going well and that subs are doing the job right.

Has this ever happened to you?

“I need to work in the office today— no wait, there’s a problem, I gotta go to the job site.”

This dual responsibility may never go away completely. But by hiring the right employees and working with the best vendors, you can minimize problems on the job site and spend more time in the air conditioning.

Experienced Vendors Know What They’re Doing
(so you don’t have to babysit)

Finding a great subcontractor who can work autonomously, do their job quickly and efficiently is a construction project manager’s dream. Ensuring the result of all that meticulous planning often means being on the job site to field questions, check supplies and solve problems as they arise. Just imagine if all subs could be trusted to handle this kind of stuff on their own.

Being the Busiest Guy on the Job Site

As a construction project manager, it goes without saying that you have a lot on your plate. Maybe you build skyscrapers in busy cities, or help municipalities expand their airports or construct bulkheads at commercial marinas. Maybe you build luxury homes or shore up crumbling infrastructure on old college campuses. Whatever types of projects you work on, the workload and responsibility of a PM is more than just about anyone else involved.

On the construction site, you answer to your boss… and the client. You’re not the one hammering nails or guiding beams into place, but the buck will stop with you when it comes to staying under budget, on schedule and getting the job done right… all of which requires hiring the right subcontractors.

The responsibility of planning how and when the parts and pieces of a project come together takes some serious desk time. Endless phone calls, countless emails, erratic schedules, and constant research are a huge part of the job.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you had more time to do that stuff instead of spending so much time on the job site?

Hiring the Best, Getting the Best

While we can’t speak for everyone else, the experienced crew at Conte Company knows how to troubleshoot and solve problems on their own. We arrive at the job site on-time and ready to roll. We have our team assembled, safety gear on and everyone knows exactly what they’ll be doing that day.

As a small company, every crew we send out has a supervisor who’s worked in the industry for a decade or more. We manage our own supply chain, provide our own insurance, rarely come in over budget, and are always on schedule.

When you hire Conte Company to install your foundation, you can get out of the heat and back to the office to plan whatever comes next. Our long-time customers don’t worry about these things, because they know their job is in good hands. When you hire Conte Company, you don’t need to be in two places at once.

 

Conte Company is a family owned company since 1948. We are New England’s premier deep foundation contractor because we bring the best tools, equipment and crew to every job we take on. 

Learn about our Foundation Installation Services or Request a Consultation

 

Here are a few photos from our latest residential job in Fairfield, CT

4 Types of Helical Pile Design: Advantages & Disadvantages

Every commercial construction project is unique. Each type of structure will require a foundation specifically engineered to account for the size of the job and the ground on which it’s built. For the same reason, helical pile designs span a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate a wide range of applications and variables such as soil type, soil profile depths, pile loading type, pile capacity requirements, the type of structure to be supported, etc. There are dozens of sizes, shaft type, and helix configurations available to make sure the proper helical pile is used for the job.

When engineered correctly, a deep foundation anchored with the correct helical pile design will last for many years. Choosing an improper helical pile design can lead to devastating results.

Make sure you choose the proper pile configuration… Call Conte Company Today!

In this brief guide, we’ve outlined the 4 major categories of helical pile designs, including their typical implementations, advantages and disadvantages of each.

Solid Square Shaft

The square shaft is typically solid and capable of large axial compressive loads. The solid shaft is continuous at each extension and carries the load down through to the end of the pile. Square shaft extensions can also used in a variety of tension applications.

Typical Sizes: 1.5”, 1.75”, 2”, 2.25”

Advantages: In rocky and hard soils, square shaft leads are better at advancing without damage.

Disadvantages: Slender shafts do not resist lateral loads well and buckling can occur in soft soils due to the narrower width.

Round Shaft Pipe

The round shaft pipe helical pile provides a much wider diameter than most square shaft piles. The wider cross section provides better structural capacity where large moments, lateral loading, or buckling can be present.

Typical Sizes: 2.875”, 3.5”, 4.5”, 6”, 8”, 10″+

Advantages: Round shaft piles are ideal for softer soils and when there is potential for high lateral loads. The pipe shafts can be grout filled for added structural capacity.

Disadvantages: Larger shafts can be more difficult to penetrate very dense or rocky soils.

Square & Round Shaft Combo Pile

Typically a combo pile has a square shaft lead, followed by round shaft extensions. These types of helical piles are used primarily in compression applications where layers of hard soil are located deep under a softer surface soil. Square/round combo piles are often chosen for high water tables, grout restricted sites or for sites with soils that make them a more economic choice than a grouted pile configuration.

Typical Sizes: 1.5”/2.875”, 1.75”/3.5”, 2.25”/4.5″

Advantages: This combines the better penetrating characteristics of the square shaft with the large diameter round shaft extension to resist buckling and lateral loading.

Disadvantages: Extra material costs can make combo pile solutions a less economical solution than alternative helical piers. It is only necessary under specific circumstances.

Grouted Square Shaft

All square shaft piles can be fitted with accessories to add a grouted casing. This casing is typically 5” to 8” in diameter and can be cased in PVC or steel pipe, or just grout. The grout also creates skin friction with the soil that can help the compression and tension capacity of the pile. The larger cross section improves lateral capacities, bending moment, and buckling resistance strength when compared to the slender square shaft pile on its own.

Advantages: In some soil conditions, square shafts with grout casing are more economical than larger diameter round shaft pipe piles.

Disadvantages: In some cases, grout plates can have difficulty advancing into very dense or rocky soils. Grout may also be prohibited from certain projects, for example in wetland applications or a site which cannot properly accommodate grout-mixing on site.

Choosing the right type of helical pile design needs to be done by an expert!

These basic explanations offer guidelines for which types of helical piles are appropriate for various projects, but there are many variables that go into making an educated decision.

Contact us for a free consultation about your upcoming project

Bulkhead Repair: Overcoming the Challenges of a Failing Boardwalk

Bulkhead repair in Norwalk Connecticut

Norwalk, CT is our home and the place where Conte Company was started in 1948. The town was founded in 1640 on the southern shoreline of CT known as the Long Island Sound. Norwalk is less than 50 miles from downtown Manhattan, but light years away in attitude and economic history.

Well known for its oystering industry, the town grew and prospered, attracting new residents who want to live on or near salt water while still in commutable distance from NYC. Charles Cove is a man-made tidal inlet, a quarter mile cut in from Long Island Sound, surrounded by a boardwalk, boasting luxury boat marinas and high-end condos. The Charles Cove Condos, which wrap cozily around the end of the cove, were built in 2004 and are highly popular for their location near beaches and shopping. Recent sales have them priced at just under a million dollars each.

Boardwalk foundations are a perfect fit for helical piles

Rotting Bulkheads in Need of Maintenance

Last year, the board of directors of the Charles Cove Condominium complex were informed that the wooden bulkheads holding up their complex were rotting and in serious danger of collapse. Apparently, the salt water tides running in and out of Charles Cove twice each day had taken a serious toll on the foundational structures. The residents, who strolled peacefully along the water on the complex’s walkways probably had no idea they were right on top of a disintegrating bulkhead.

Fortunately, someone did notice the rot and a marine contractor was quickly hired. But, instead of attempting a bulkhead repair by replacing the old bulkhead, the engineers proposed building a new bulkhead directly over the old one using new bulkhead sheeting, secured with piled tiebacks. This was going to be challenging, considering the natural elements in play, so the marine contractor wisely placed a phone call to Conte Company. (We are well known as the folks who love a good challenge and this one was going to be a doozy!)

Let’s talk about your project’s foundation challenges

A rotting bulkhead under a boardwalk in dire need of repair

Barging-In and Timing the Tides

We are well known for our helical pile technology expertise, which turned out to be the perfect solution to create tiebacks for this precariously threatened bulkhead.

We determined that our helical pile tiebacks would have to be securely drilled into the old timber retaining wall, a structure directly perpendicular to the salty waters of Charles Cove — and right below that 8-foot walkway. The new, poly-coated composite wall could then be attached to our secure helical piles. And, because this very tight working space was not accessible from land, we also planned to bring in a small barge to hold and transport our drilling equipment and crew for the bulkhead repair.

However, being raised in a shoreline town, we were aware in advance of a bigger challenge. Each 12.5 high tide was going to raise our working barge at least a few feet and once raised, we knew that our drilling boom would not always fit under the walkway. We would only be able to work from low-tide until just before mid-tide. Providing this critical timing information to the marine contractor in advance enabled them to plan ahead for other aspects of the project and helped to keep the project on schedule.

(we bend over backward to work efficiently)

Finding creative ways to repair a water damaged bulkhead under the boardwalk

Men Overboard (with Extensions)!

With the tidal problems addressed, our crack team anticipated, and solved, another watery problem before we began our bulkhead repair work. The barge, small as it was, still needed to be anchored 10 feet away from the bulkhead. The vertical piers that hold up the boardwalk kept the barge and our machines from getting up close and personal with our work. We were not going to get it close enough for our boom to reach where the piles needed to be drilled.

Our plan was simple, yet effective. We used standard pile extensions to lengthen our reach from the barge. Two crew members on the barge would load the extensions onto the helical piles. Two other Conte workers worked off a small floating dock where they could jump into the shallow waters, close to shore, and bolt the ends of the shaft extensions onto each helical pile as it was drilled into the wall.

At Conte Company we are team players and will to jump through hoops, or off barges, to get the job done right!

Ask us what we can do for your next foundation job

A few weeks later the job was done! Our men dried themselves off, the barge was floated out of Charles Cove and the residents began to stroll the walkways again. The customer, in this case, the condo’s board of directors, was confident that the bulkhead repair was completed according to the highest standards, as it passed all required inspections. Their residents were safe to once again stroll the walkways along Charles Cove and watch the sunsets —which are absolutely gorgeous over the waters of historic Norwalk, CT.

An aerial view of the Charles Cove boardwalk where our bulkhead repair project took place

How well are you vetting your contractors? Get Conte Company's 2017 Guide to Evaluating Geotechnical Contractors: 22 Mandatory Questions to Ask Before Getting a Bid.

What is a Helical Pile?

What is a helical pile? and other questions about helical pier foundation solutions

If you’re in commercial construction, you probably know a lot about what happens above ground as you watch structures rise from the earth. What happens below ground, at the foundational level, might be more of a mystery to some. Helical piles are an important piece of underground construction technology which invisibly hold buildings and bridges in place. So what is a helical pile?

Helical piles literally do all the heavy lifting.

Below are some basic facts about helical piles. Once you understand what they do, what they’re made of and how they work, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for these invisible, deep-foundation champions.

What Do Helical piles Do?

The purpose of a helical pile is to provide foundational support for structures of all types and sizes. Just like old-fashioned pile-foundations, helical piles (also referred to as screw piles, helical piers, helical anchors, etc.) are embedded deep underground in order to disperse the enormous weight which sits atop them. Multiple piles are installed to create a platform, on which a building, a bridge or any number of other large structures can rest.

You may also be wondering what is a helical pile for? Learn more about what helical piles do and how they’re used on our deep foundations page.

What are Helical Piles Made of?

Most helical piles are round hollow shafts or square solid shafts, extruded from steel and come in a wide variety of diameters and gauges, to serve different types of projects.

One or more steel screw threads (or helical bearing plates) welded onto the shaft, in order to supply ample downforce to the soil as it’s being screwed into the earth. Technically, this is what makes it a helical pile. The plane (or angle) of the screw is standard, although the size and shape can vary based on the application and soil specifications.

At the head of the pile is a shear lug, which fits machine-driven, rotary hydraulic attachments. These, in turn, are powered by small or large excavators, depending on the size of the pile.

For grouted pile applications, a lead displacement plate is fitted onto shaft extensions. This small disc pushes soil out of the way as it’s being screwed, leaving room for concrete to follow.*

 

What is a helical pile? a line diagram of a round shaft helical pile

How do Helical Piles Work?

Helical piles are installed by twisting them into the soil, just like a corkscrew is twisted into a bottle of wine. As the shaft of each pile disappears below the surface, additional extension segments are connected with bolted couplers and screwed into the soil as well—ultimately resulting in a single pile which can extend 100s of feet below ground.

In many cases, the steel pile itself is enough to meet the load requirements of the project. However, for more robust deep foundation systems, concrete (also known as grout) can be incorporated. In a grouted column, concrete is continuously poured down the sides of the column, following the displacement plate and encasing the steel shaft. This technique produces a reinforced pillar that will withstand the most extreme compressive, uplift, and lateral forces.

*Conte Company also helped develop the DRIVECAST™ Grouted Soil Displacement Pile (manufactured by HUBBELL-CHANCE®), which incorporates displacement functionality directly into the screw bearing plate.

 

So, what is a helical pile? We’re happy to answer any other questions you have…

Set up a phone call or a meeting with the helical pile experts at Conte Company today

The Best Deep Foundation Types: Helical Piles

Helical piles are the best deep foundation types

Helical Piles Create Instant Foundations

Construction project managers constantly worry that finding the best deep foundation types for their project is going to be a hassle, let alone the challenge of having it installed. The answer is CHANCE® helical piles installed by Conte Company.

Instant Support Means Fast Installation

Helical piles result in instant foundations. This means there is no wait time between the building of the foundation and the continued progress on the project. It takes far less time (than traditional methods) to screw a helical pile in place so construction can get started quickly. Combined with concrete, helical piles are one of the best deep foundation types, because they provide the security and benefits of a traditional concrete foundation, without the liabilities of driven piles. This immediate installation is fast, simple, and can be installed with lightweight construction equipment, rather than the bulky machinery usually required. This means instant torque-to-capacity feedback for production control. Helical piles are fast, simple, and effective.

Helical Piles can be Installed Year-Round in any Weather

These screw piles can be installed in any weather because instant support is available while the grout column hardens. This means no delays because of unfortunate weather conditions. Rather than worrying about possible rain delays while pouring concrete, helical piles allow for an easy and fast solution. Your project foundation will be finished much faster and more efficiently with a helical pile foundation.

No Big Machinery, Less Harm to Buildings

There is no vibration during installation because screw piles act like screws going into wood. This does not disrupt the surrounding area and is very safe to install. Soil disturbance during installation is minimized as well because of the smooth, continuous action. This is perfect for delicate or older homes, buildings and other fragile structures because the foundation won’t easily crack the way it could with violent hammering or pile-driving foundation methods. This is clearly a convenient solution that doesn’t damage the surrounding structures. For all these reasons helical piles are considered more advanced than traditional foundation methods making them highly trusted by construction professionals.

Environmentally Friendly Foundations

Helical piles are also environmentally friendly. They require less gas-guzzling machinery and less preparation than pile driven or augured foundations. Also, due to the machinery required to dig and move dirt away from the site, traditional foundations can leave a larger carbon footprint than helicals. Helical piles are frequently made from recycled metals and can be removed and reused again. The best deep foundation types allow you to be mindful of the environment and build something great at the same time; it is a win-win situation for everyone.

A Real Life Helical Pile Case Study

Helical piles can be seen in action at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. A helical foundation was used and the project was simplified significantly due to the immediate load capacity, limited accessibility, fragile nature of the building and the reliable nature of the helical pile foundation. Fairfield University is an older school which has some buildings that needed special care during renovation due to fragile stone materials. These buildings are now built on one of the best deep foundation types, that will last for many years to come. Helical piles are much more resistant to possible changes that may occur in surface soil conditions, so there is less of a risk of the foundation weakening over time.

In many cases, helical piles can act as an instant foundation that construction managers and renovators are looking for. Helical piles are the trusted and simple foundation solution for a wide variety of projects. Just look at the fabulous job done at Fairfield University!

Contact us to see how a helical pile foundation would work for your project…

Conte Company is Blue Book’s Featured Contractor of 2017

A Helical Pile Family - Conte Company in Connecticut

Conte Co. makes the cover of Blue Book!

Conte Company has made the cover of the latest edition of “The Who’s Who” (Eastern MA and Southern NH region), published by The Blue Book, and it’s a great read.

In the article, Blue Book explores how embracing a solid philosophy of innovation can help bring you success and business growth as exemplified by Conte Company.

It’s an honor to be Blue Book’s Featured Contractor

Ask anyone in the construction industry which business network has been the most influential for their own business growth, and the same answer will pop up again and again. The Blue Book.

There is strength in numbers. With so many participating contractors under one roof, you can imagine the influence Blue Book wields. They are simply the best go-to source for industry professionals to find quality contractors.

 

We at Conte Company always use Blue Book to find the resources we need. Now that we have been featured on the cover, and in a four-page article complete with glossy photos of our team at work, we are humbly reminded that roots count. This is a summary of our story.

Conte Company: Deep Roots & Powerful Innovation

Almost 70 years ago, Conte Company was founded in Norwalk CT. One generation later, James Conte took over the operations and recognized that big changes were coming down the pike very quickly. He sensed, before many others, that the gap between design and construction was closing and earned himself an architectural degree to accommodate this new way of thinking. He was unafraid of adapting to new technology, and fully embraced the changing landscape of the industry.

Today, Matt, Anthony and Michael are third-generation Contes. They manage the day to day activities of Conte Company in the same building their grandfather built, but also keep sharp eyes on the changing opportunities within their industry.

Always mindful of the legacy passed down by the earlier generations, they have now restructured the company to take advantage of their combined strengths, skills and education.

Just as James expanded what his father did into more commercial work, these three brothers have created a new division, focused on concrete/ geotechnical work and specialty site work.

Today, Conte Company is focused on the future of Helical Pile technology

Matt Conte earned his engineering degree at Syracuse University where he connected with a professor focused on the development of the relatively new helical pile technology.

Matt graduated from Syracuse University with civil engineering and construction management degrees and a firsthand education in helical piles. One of his professors was a helical pile pioneer, having developed the design and engineering for the system, and Matt was eager to offer these services to Conte Co. clients.

Today, the strong partnerships Conte Company has forged with CHANCE• and Hubbel Power Systems Inc. are direct outgrowths of that early, mentoring relationship. Matt saw piles as the future and introduced the fledgling, helical pile technology to their own customers starting in 2007.

Helical pile foundations are quickly becoming an economical and tremendously reliable alternative to traditional pile foundations. Helical piles can be used in a wide variety of applications and have garnered wide appeal throughout the commercial construction industry. In particular, they are often chosen for jobs where accessibility is limited or an existing structure could be damaged by big machinery or violent pile installation techniques.

Not only are they continuously finding new applications for helical pile use, but because helical piles are so strong and versatile, they are starting to replace some of the older and more cumbersome technologies previously used for deep foundation work.

As Conte Company has become more and more familiar with helical pile foundation systems, they have also expanded the ways in which they’re used. Few companies have innovated the way Conte Company has because they have the agility and the drive of a small family company.

“We like to find the work that no one wants because they didn’t take the time to think and problem-solve. This gives us the ability to work closely with our clients and adapt our abilities to meet their needs. With our commitment to technology evident, clearly we are ready to problem-solve, and if some aspect of a technology doesn’t quite work, we are going to work to create a better one.”

As a matter of fact, helical piles have so much potential, that Conte Company has and continues to invent and develop concepts that physically improve the capabilities of existing technologies. For example, Conte Company has been working with Hubbel Power Systems Inc. on their DRIVECAST™ helical pile system, which uses soil displacement to maximize grouting and speed up installation.

As our client list continues to grow, so does our experience, as many of our well-known clients will attest…

You can see some of our work in our helical pile project photo gallery and includes some of the work we’ve done at Logan International Airport, for JetBlue in Boston, MA; the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, CT.;  Eversource Energy; Keolis Commuter Services; The Dow Chemical Co.; and many, many other high-profile and highly delicate foundation projects around New England.

 

Read the Full Story in the Magazine

 

Schedule a Consultation with Conte Co Today