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Yes, you can pour a foundation slab without footings, in which case it’s often called a floating slab. Floating slabs don’t have separate footings poured beforehand for support, which means they’re better suited for smaller structures. Monolithic concrete slabs are another option for a slab foundation without standalone footings, although the vertical edges of the single-pour slab do act as footings.

While you shouldn’t use thinset mortar on its own as a floor leveler, it can work alongside other products to help level floors. For instance, you could start with a self-leveling compound, let that dry, then apply backer board with thinset mortar to help fully even out the floors ahead of laying tile.

Concrete contractors typically charge anywhere from $6 to $14 per square foot. Cost factors include job size, site prep, base material, accessibility, your location, concrete finish, and concrete thickness. Removal of existing concrete, asphalt, deck, pavers, and grass will cost anywhere from $1 to $6 per square foot. Homeowners can often save money by removing and disposing of existing pavers, decks, and grass. Breaking up and hauling away concrete and asphalt is difficult and time-consuming without the proper equipment and may be worth having the pros do that work.

Lally columns do require some kind of footing to ensure they have a strong enough base to provide the support they need to deliver, and, at the very least, they need to attach to the floor below. Some contractors will just use the existing foundation as a footing for temporary Lally columns, while some circumstances demand that the expert install a new footing. You might need a local structural engineer to weigh in on which is best for your project.