We're planning a smallish two storey extension to a circa 1965 link detached house, going out 2.5m and about 4.5m wide across the back of the house. Its passed planning permission and is in for Building Regs approval. My architect has just informed that he has specified engineer designed mini-pile foundations instead of the strip foundations I and my builder were expecting. The house is on medium shrinkable clay (approx 23% if that means anything to anybody) and the worry seems to be a hawthorn hedge running alongside the boundary of the property (belonging to the local authority, not me!). The hedge is 2m high, 1m from the house and 1.5m from the nearest wall of the extension. I've spoken to the BCO who quotes NHBC regs and won't budge, though I've read elsewhere that hawthron isn't one of the thirstiest trees, and its a hedge not a tree.
My questions are:
1. Does this seem right. Is everyone being over-cautious? Don't want the extra cost if it can be avoided. (but also don't want a disaster!)
2. The house itself is on 1m foundations. Am I going to end up with a bomb-proof extension attached to a house that will move around. The architect has specified a 'movement joint' between the extension and the house but will I still see problems eg cracking between new and old walls and ceilings etc.
Any input gratefully received!
My questions are:
1. Does this seem right. Is everyone being over-cautious? Don't want the extra cost if it can be avoided. (but also don't want a disaster!)
2. The house itself is on 1m foundations. Am I going to end up with a bomb-proof extension attached to a house that will move around. The architect has specified a 'movement joint' between the extension and the house but will I still see problems eg cracking between new and old walls and ceilings etc.
Any input gratefully received!