Extension Foundations, Clay and piling

[burts]

http://righire.co.uk/portfolio-view/grundomat-piling-hammer-hire/

It looks the same as what I use but a larger diameter. If it’s going straight down it must be easy to aim too.

I have emailed that company for prices and no one came back to me.

 

[Ian H]

I have emailed that company for prices and no one came back to me.

Thats typical of company’s these days.

We use those for the moles but can’t see piling stuff on the website. Could be worth a phone call.

https://www.psshire.com/

 

[Leofric]

Just a suggestion ( I don't know the details of what you are trying to do ) but have you thought of a lighter weight timber frame construction with walls built off beams spanning between the garages . Suspended timber floor joists could span 4m between existing walls.

 

[burts]

Just a suggestion ( I don't know the details of what you are trying to do ) but have you thought of a lighter weight timber frame construction with walls built off beams spanning between the garages . Suspended timber floor joists could span 4m between existing walls.

E

I thought about beams between garages. Not sure what the neighbour would say as one is his.
Walls need to have face brickwork

 

[noseall]

Sounds to me like you are going to have to spend some money or forget the project.

Is the OP originally from Yorkshire?

 

[rssteve]

I had mini piles installed with the ground beam and heave protection with all the calculations for under 6k. This was for a 4x6m extesion. This was approx 3 years ago. Company called beacon foundation systems in Weymouth.

 

[^woody^]

You can't just buy some gear and put your own random piles in. A specialist foundation needs to be designed by a specialist, qualified person. What about the caps, the ring beam, the floor?
And its not a case of seeing what the building inspector "will accept", but a case of a qualified professional telling the building inspector what will be sufficient.

Building inspectors are not designers. You would be foolish to rely on what a building inspector "thinks" will do.

 

[Notch7]

You can't just buy some gear and put your own random piles in. A specialist foundation needs to be designed by a specialist, qualified person. What about the caps, the ring beam, the floor?
And its not a case of seeing what the building inspector "will accept", but a case of a qualified professional telling the building inspector what will be sufficient.

Building inspectors are not designers. You would be foolish to rely on what a building inspector "thinks" will do.

Thats certainly been my experience.
My understanding from working with building inspectors is that they are happy to inspect and agree depths where a trench foundation is used. For everything else, ie rafts, piles etc they always seem to use the phrase 'engineered solution'. Ive always gone to a SE first, who does drawings and a spec, then Ive gone to the piling company.

 

[burts]

I have the original drawings and foundation specification for the original build and the extension foot print is the same as the original house should footprint so I’m not putting random anything in. I’d be putting in what was adequate to support the original house which is 2 storey.

So why do I want to pay the SE £800 to come out and design something i already have. I have gave that to the piling company who quoted about 16k and no one else ever gets back or wants to do it.

 

[noseall]

For everything else, ie rafts, piles etc they always seem to use the phrase 'engineered solution'. Ive always gone to a SE first, who does drawings and a spec, then Ive gone to the piling company.

Correct. As soon as there is a shift away from a regular trench onto piles/raft/engineered foundations, the BCO will usually ask to see the engineers designs.

 

[noseall]

I have the original drawings and foundation specification for the original build and the extension foot print is the same as the original house should footprint so I’m not putting random anything in. I’d be putting in what was adequate to support the original house which is 2 storey.

So why do I want to pay the SE £800 to come out and design something i already have. I have gave that to the piling company who quoted about 16k and no one else ever gets back or wants to do it.

The BCO will want the work to be backed up by someone competent and with accreditation and insurance. There are liability issues. Unfortunately your innate fear of spending money is not allowing you to listen to what people are telling you.

The BCO will not accept "oh it worked there so I'm gonna do it here". Your original foundations will have been backed up and the liability covered.

Those foundations need to last after you have moved out.

 

[noseall]

So why do I want to pay

YOU don't and that's the problem. Bloody DIY'ers and their Building Notices.

 

[burts]

I’m not a Diyer. I’m a tradesman, and can competently do 90% of the work including all the skilled work and all the donkey work people get away with charging a fortune for Which is why I find it hard to justify 16k for piling, the one thing I can’t do.

I understand insurance and liability purposes but if you’re telling me the piled drawings I have in my possession for the exact same footprint of the original house would not suffice for a single storey extension then you are talking rubbish and yes I don’t want to pay someone to come round and design something I already have.

You do Noseall though. Thanks

 

[bsr]

Noseall is one of the most respected contributors on this site. You are coming across like a bit of an arse.

He's not saying that the house foundation designs won't be sufficient. The point is that BC won't let you continue unless they have seen that the foundation has been designed by a competent person for this specific situation. Standards and methods change over time, as do ground conditions eg new trees growing in the area.

Our of curiosity what trade are you in?

 

[burts]

Noseall is one of the most valued and respected contributors on this site. I'm afraid you are coming across like a bit of an arse.

He's not saying that the house foundation designs won't be sufficient. The point is that BC won't let you continue unless they have seen that the foundation has been designed by a competent person for this specific situation. Standards and methods change over time, as do ground conditions eg new trees growing in the area.

Our of curiosity what trade are you in?

I become a little arsy because people here just assume you are a moron and straight away say get someone competent, or you should have got it done properly when all we are looking for is some guidance on what could be possible as it’s not our main field. I have no intention of doing the actual piling myself and have brickies for the block/brick work. Like my comments do to others some people’s comments get your back up, I don’t set out to undermine or offend anyone.
My main background was Plumbing, Heating and Gas. I do everything from underground drainage to boardind, tiling, electrics, basic carpentry etc as an active company and not a DIYer.

Hence why I’m doing an extension because I can do it next to nothing which is the perk of the job. I never anticipated that getting it out the ground would be so much grief.

I have now managed to obtain the SE who originally designed the house foundations and have contacted them.