Team Foundation Systems is a certified dealer installer for Chance helical piles. Located in West Kelowna, B.C., the company specializes in new construction and remedial work.
From the smallest projects in local neighbourhoods to large commercial ventures, such as the Kelowna Grand Casino expansion, the company works with homeowners and insurance companies, as well as general contractors and restoration companies to offer a viable solution to many foundations and soils concerns.
Piling Canada recently had the opportunity to sit down with Grant McKinney, Team Foundation Systems owner and project manager, to talk about the piling industry and his company’s success.
Please tell us how you first got into the foundation and ground engineering industry? What drew you to this type of work?
Grant McKinney: Back then, I was busy working as a Red Seal Carpenter in and around Kelowna, B.C., for Team Construction (TC) on a variety of great projects in the 1990s. One day, while forming a suspended slab, I stepped into a slab band wrong and blew out my ACL. Long story short, the doctor said my knees were in very bad shape and to choose another career. The timing was just right, and my boss asked me to run Team Foundation Systems Ltd. (TFS), essentially another division of TC at that time. I was immediately drawn to this field of work. Although I enjoy building new, I also very much enjoy “fixing” problems. This was a real challenge that I found very fulfiling.
What experiences early in your career helped shape the way you approach foundation solutions today?
GM: Because the trade itself is about building something, there were and are always issues that need to be resolved to reach the end goal. Possible unforeseen issues are a concern. There are also times when building new, or even during a remediation project, the soil parameters are less than ideal, so how are we going to work around that? What do we need to do to build this or repair that? These experiences early on, and throughout my career, have always kept me interested in the game.
How has the helical pile industry changed since you first started, both in terms of technology and how the solutions are used in the field?
GM: The industry in and of itself to me is the same industry and, as always, we continue to offer solutions to foundational problems that occur for whatever the reason. There are more outfits out there suppling similar piling products as well as offshore options for some willing to go that route. Tooling and installation equipment have improved. For example, we don’t read hydraulic pressure gauges. We have electronic torque monitors that log data in real time giving accurate progress readings we all rely on now.
“Our mantra is to provide the very best materials on the market for intended applications and stand behind our work 100 per cent.”
Grant McKinney, Team Foundation Systems
What was your vision for TFS?
GM: Gordon Wilson started TFS in 2004 under the TC umbrella, and I was already [their] employee. As for TFS, I worked for him just after the start, until I eventually bought the company 14 years ago. The vision, and our mantra was, and is, to provide the very best materials on the market for intended applications and stand behind our work 100 percent. We enjoy all projects and love what we do, but the more challenging projects keep my adrenaline up and that keeps it exciting.
TFS works on everything from small residential projects to major commercial work like the Kelowna Grand Casino expansion. How has your work evolved as the company has grown?
GM: Thankfully over all the years TFS has been around here in the central region of British Columbia, we’ve had the opportunity to work with pretty much everyone big or small. The casino was a great project but that was years ago. Over the years, we have worked at [the Kelowna] International Airport, we have worked for the City of Kelowna projects, for the University of British Columbia, as well as Okanagan University College. Projects for homeowners, due to a flooding event, for example, become personal as they just want their home back the way it was after the flood or the fire.
As for how we have evolved, I would say that today’s world is a lot faster. Timelines seem as tight as ever and, honestly, the competition has never been higher. We have won and even lost five- or six-figure jobs by a grand or two. That’s just a reality. Overall, we adapt to current conditions and try to fulfil the needs of our clients.
You are a certified dealer installer for Chance helical piles. How did that partnership come about, and why did you choose helical piles as a core solution for your projects?
GM: I was asked if I would be interested in becoming a distributor years ago by [Chance Foundations Solutions]. I consulted with others in the industry about their thoughts on the opportunity and quickly said sure! We then started up Western Helical Supply Ltd. Helicals just seemed like it checked a lot of boxes for us here in the Okanagan with the soil conditions and water tables we have. I think having the ability to install a helical pile without disrupting the neighbourhood with pounding or massive vibrations causing damage to existing structures was a major factor.
Much of your work involves remedial and repair projects. What are some of the most common foundation or soil issues you encounter in your region?
GM: About 70 per cent of our work seems to be remediation. We’re currently working on a large multifamily wood framed four-storey structure that was constructed on less-than-ideal soils. Over the years, soils consolidated and settlement occurred. Other projects we have are homes that have negative sloping ground towards the foundation and water again has caused settlement. In many projects, the rainwater leaders (downspouts) are plugged or they may be evacuating six inches from the edge of the foundation.
We have a lot of clays here in the valley. Glaciolucustrine deposits are a heavy clay, and we also have expansive or plastic clays. These materials are prone to shrinking and swelling seasonally.
Your clients include homeowners, insurance companies, general contractors and restoration companies. How does working with such a diverse group influence how you approach projects?
GM: My thing has always been to try to remember to keep it basic and every project – no matter the size to us – is always a big project to my client, no matter who it is. Talking with homeowners and general contractors, restoration outfits and insurance companies, etc., all require different hats. That is part of what makes going to work exciting and challenging at the same time.
“We adapt to current conditions and try to fulfill the needs of our clients.”
Grant McKinney, Team Foundation Systems
Looking back over your career, is there a project or moment that stands out as particularly meaningful or challenging?
GM: I never planned to retire before 65 because I love the purpose and reason every day. However, I was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in June 2025 and was told by two neurosurgeons to go take that trip I always put off. I left everything and was gone for three months. I just got home the first week of March. During my time away, my crew ran everything. I gave this question a lot of thought and my problem is, all my projects stand out. There are no two alike. They are all very meaningful, purposeful and challenging for a million reasons in their own ways.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in foundation repair or installation today?
GM: My advice is you need to love what you do. If you want to be a part of a solution in the construction remediation industry, then this work is fulfiling, but it’s also hands on. I always do my best to be transparent and am available to everyone 24/7. People love that, because if it matters to you then it matters to me, and I’m happy to drill down to get the solutions you need.