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Craig got in touch quickly, gave me a rough estimate over the phone and answered all my questions. Surveyor arrived on time, gave instant quote. Price was good. Michael and (another) Craig turned up to do the job on the day, time given. Good, tidy job. Can't fault anything, from start to finish!! Would recommend!
Mary
George and his team are experienced builders, replaced my front door with a custom frame/sidelights and raising the floor level in the hallway quite quickly - in fact, they were the only who came next day, gave a quote straightaway and were ready to start in just couple of days. They also had all the necessary tools and materials, were ready to buy something additional quickly on the day - if further adjustments were required to fit everything as I asked. Thanks a lot for your help, guys!
Dmitry
Highly recommend. These guys did a fantastic job of constructing our pergola and decking. Very hardworking and reliable. The job was completed in the time frame agreed and to a very high standard. We would 100% use them again.
Holly
Foundations, underpinning and piling are complex, technical services that require the know-how of specialist groundworkers and engineers. More than any other part of your home, it pays to invest in solid foundations, so find a professional you can trust today.
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Underpinning, piling and foundation construction – Rated People
When it comes to foundations and underpinning, the name tells you everything you need to know about their importance to your home. This specialist groundwork quite literally provides the base your home is built on. And that’s why it’s absolutely vital the professionals you use are experienced experts who know what they’re doing.
The complexity of foundations (and underpinning or piling, if required) depends on the structure you’re building, and the state of the ground your home or plot sits on. Basic foundations involve filling trenches (dug precisely according to plans) with a layer of solid concrete and then building blockwork up to ground level. Alternatively, an entire trench can be filled with concrete to just below ground level before adding damp proof coursing.
Piling is becoming an increasing popular alternative to standard footings or foundations. It involves driving piles into the ground, which are made from steel, concrete or even wood. A ground beam then sits atop the foundation, which your structure can be built on.
Underpinning is required when existing foundations have become defective, and to counter issues like subsidence. The appropriate method will be recommended by an experienced groundwork specialist and potentially a structural engineer too. The standard approach to underpinning involves excavating specific sections below the footing and reinforcing them with concrete. Piling techniques provide an alternative to traditional underpinning and can be used in situations where there’s restricted access. Not only is piling faster than standard underpinning, but it has a higher load capability and less disruption. Those benefits come at a cost though, and you’ll find piling is significantly pricier than standard concrete underpinning.
Cost of foundations, underpinning and piling
It pays to invest in foundations, but quite how much you’ll need to invest depends on the type of foundations you require. Basic foundation laying involves the following steps (excluding site clearance and the setting out of footings):
- Excavation: £7-£10 per sqm
- Laying foundations (concrete and blockwork): £40-£60 per sqm
Piling costs are typically significantly higher than standard foundations – anywhere from 2-3 times more expensive than the concrete and blockwork method.
Similarly, underpinning costs vary according to the issue that needs to be resolved, and the method selected. For mass concrete underpinning you can expect to pay between £1,000-£2,000 per linear metre.
How to build a foundation
Basic foundations follow a fairly simple process. After you’ve consulted a structural engineer and have all the necessary plans approved, the first step is to dig out trenches. Your groundwork professional may recommend a ground survey before any digging begins. This process involves creating trial holes to ensure the foundation method you plan to use is appropriate. With (or without) that survey complete, footings can then be dug to the agreed level.
The next phase involves laying concrete into the base of the trench to at least 250mm in depth. Blockwork is then built up to floor level. This method is called a strip foundation. Alternatively, a technique known as “trenchfill” involves (unsurprisingly) filling the trench with concrete to just below ground level. Both methods are completed with the application of a damp-proof course onto which the ground floor can be installed.
How does piling work
There are three main piling techniques: screw piling, pile and beam, and piled raft.
Screw piling is the simplest piling technique to execute. A small crew of ground-workers can install screw piles and brackets by hand or with the assistance of a small excavator. This method is well-suited to walls and larger structures, when used with supporting brackets. Screw piling offers a number of benefits, including ease of installation, lower costs and reduced environmental impact.
The pile and beam method involves installing mini-piles either side of a wall. Brickwork can then be removed below the affected wall, and a reinforced concrete needle beam inserted to connect the piles. The pile and beam technique is well-suited to homes on smaller plots, or with restricted access. It’s also faster and less messy than traditional mass concrete underpinning and is capable of bearing high loads.
Finally, there’s the piled raft approach. Piled raft foundations are required when an entire building needs to be underpinned, when foundations can’t be accessed or where soil conditions aren’t suitable for any other method. Piles are placed into the ground and needle beams are installed to help bear the load. A ring beam links the needles together and the structure is then filled with concrete.
When does a house need underpinning?
Cracked walls, ceilings or flooring are the tell-tale signs that you may need to have all or part of your home underpinned. Diagonal cracks, or those that reach a quarter of an inch or larger, are classic symptoms of faulty foundations, or problematic ground conditions. More severe warning signs are walls beginning to buckle. Underpinning, either using the mass concrete method or any of the piling techniques outlined above, can help to remedy these problems.
While underpinning is usually associated with foundation problems, it can also be required if you’re planning to add another floor to a building, or if it needs to stand up to increased load-bearing requirements.
The qualifications your foundation, piling or underpinning professional needs
Foundations and piling or underpinning will almost always require the expertise of a structural engineer. They will be able to advise on load bearing considerations, as well as the most appropriate technique to use (taking ground and soil conditions into account). Choose an experienced professional who holds chartered status from the Institution of Structural Engineers.
The groundworkers carrying out your excavation work should also be experienced, though they won’t need formal accreditation. A diploma, City and Guilds qualification or evidence of completing an apprenticeship is always helpful, but ultimately you should look for a proven track record of delivering groundwork services to a high standard and complete customer satisfaction.
Planning permission for foundation, piling or underpinning work
How and where you lay foundations will be determined by the planning permission you’ve been granted. This will be decided by your local planning authority, and unless an unforeseen issue crops up you’ll need to stick closely to what you’ve been given permission for.
When it comes to underpinning, you won’t require planning permission to remedy a fault with your foundations. The only exception here is a listed building, which may have certain limitations.
Insurance for foundation, piling or underpinning work
It’s crucial that your professional holds public liability insurance, to cover your property against damage. Such is the importance of this work, most structural engineers will also hold professional indemnity insurance, protecting them in case anything goes wrong with the services they’ve provided.
Questions you should ask your foundation, piling or underpinning professional
- For standard foundations, which method would they use (and why)?
- Will they be using a strip or trenchfill foundation?
- For underpinning, which technique would they advise on (and why)?
- For piling, what is the most cost-effective option available?
- Can they provide a warranty (or do they have professional indemnity insurance) to cover their work?
DX Construction ltd is a building company based in sheffield south yorkshire with Experienced and qualified builders With over 11 years experience in the trade we pride ourselves on perfection & 5 STAR quality. We have the skills, knowledge and creativity to solve your site specific problems. References available. Please get in touch for a great reliable and professional service We cover following areas: - Sheffield - Rotherham - Doncaster - Chesterfield - and other surrounding areas SERVICES WE PROVIDE 1 Extension 2 Loft conversions 3 Refurbishments & full house renovation 4 Roofing 5 Chimney removal 6 Landscaping and garden work 7 Carpentry & joinery 8 Kitchen & bathroom fitting 9 Electrical & plumbing Please get in touch for a great reliable and professional service
Andrea and his team were excellent. He is very reliable, efficient and hard working. He made a very challenging job look easy and did some extra things for me that weren’t included in the quote, without charging extra. He got back to me quickly and the whole job took less than 2 weeks from me posting to completion. I would definitely recommend this company and I’m sure I will ask him to do other jobs for me.
Over 20 years of experience in commercial and domestic construction projects.
Excellent work. Friendly and meticulous. We will use Artur again if we need him. It was a big job but very well executed. We had a complete new kitchen installed including new flooring.
Taylors Building Contractors is your go-to solution for comprehensive property maintenance services. From routine upkeep to emergency repairs, here to ensure your space remains in optimal condition. With a focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, we take the hassle out of property care.we cover all traditional trades to plastering, carpentry, plumbing, and general building maintenance. Roofing, Brickwork,Fully insured, Credit & Debit cards excepted.
Steve and team did a fantastic job, fixing a few issues in the house for my tenant. Really good service and communication, and will ask him to do jobs in the future.
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Hi im a builder with over 20 years experience in construction and decorating I'm a team of 6 good workers wii do olmost evri job inside and out side home restaurants club's and mani more. No job to small or to big.
Very helpful and efficient
My self and my workers have a nice way of working with clients we’re friendly polite and very clean and respectful of other people homes as we too have lovely homes . We work hard to keep clients happy and resolve problems that come there way through building projects. We also can show many recommendations from our own neighbours to people we have never met . Many thanks mark
Mark was very responsive and really helpful and informative when providing a quote for some underpinning and structural repair work. Would definitely recommend.
Welcome to Pros Home Remakers we are a family run busines, based in Meadows NG2, proudly serving customers in Nottingham and the surrounding areas of the East Midlands. We offer a complete range of building services for our clients. With our expertise and experience, we deliver exceptional results in every building project we undertake, we have the skills and knowledge to bring your vision to life We offer the following services *Kitchen fitting *bathroom fitting *Painting *tiling *byfold doors *fire doors installation *roofing *extensions *electrical *handyman *partition walls And more.
Very happy with the person the work and the pricing. Will hire again. Thank you
I have been a builder for 42 years. I do brickwork, repointing, drainage, block paving, patios, concreting, landscaping, stone work, exterior painting etc.. I cover all aspects of building work. and all aspects of groundwork and we specialise in lime mortar pointing
Great job! I’m really pleased with the service I received and will definitely be using again soon. Thanks
Val's Construction & Groundworks
Underpinning / Piling / Foundations
WHO WE ARE Viv Construct Group provide a variety of professional groundwork services. We carry out all forms of groundworks construction: underpinning, reinforcing concrete, Driveway Tarmacing, Road Forming, Pavement Tarmacking, Concrete Driveways, Concrete Pavements, Garden Maintenance, Front Patios, Garden Patios, Swimming Pool Slab Laying, Driveway Slab Laying, Drainage, Ducting, Landscaping, Footpath Resin Bound, Drop Kerb and more. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to professionalism and efficiency. Our highly skilled team utilises the latest equipment and follows industry best practices to ensure that every project is completed to the highest standards. We prioritise safety at every step, adhering to all regulations and guidelines to create a secure working environment for our team and clients alike. Check out our site https://vivconstruct.com We are one of the leading groundwork Cambridge based and have decades of experience working with the wide variety of buildings that are found in Cambridgeshire. We work with: buildings of different ages, different types of buildings with different forms of construction, and all shapes and sizes, as you would expect in a historical city like Cambridge. We provide a variety of professional services from getting the ground ready for new construction work to repairing and reinforcing existing buildings. We carry out all forms of groundworks construction: underpinning, reinforcing concrete, Driveway Tarmacing, Road Forming, Pavement Tarmacking, Concrete Driveways, Concrete Pavements, Garden Maintenance, Front Patios, Garden Patios, Swimming Pool Slab Laying, Driveway Slab Laying, Drainage, Ducting, Landscaping, Footpath Resin Bound, Drop Kerb and more. We want to give our best at all times so we are assessing our work and looking for any improvements that can be made.
Very honest , transparent, and polite team , providing a service from concept design to finished product Unfortunately last job was unfinished due to an accident in filey in where I drowned trying to rescue someone in the sea Tragic failed rescue has miraculous happy ending , on youtube I suffered memory loss and severe problems after this and after working for another firm for short while I am ready to start again on my own so please take this into consideration with my last review
Unfortunately, over 12 months into the project, it is still not finished. There were a few circumstances outside of Tom's influence, but the delay's have been accompanied by repeated lies about finalising the project, and poor quality of the work that has been done.
Its quality time! With over 10 years experience, tens of finished jobs and tens of happy clients, I am a landscaper who can manage any job. Big or small, easy or complicated is never a problem for me. For any details don't hesitate to contact me.
Work that took place was amazing and recommend IA trader to anyone that needs work done.
Hello everyone, I'm Pavel, a seasoned builder based in Leeds specializing in a variety of trades and services, including: - Building - Joinery - Plastering - Painting - Gardening - Fencing - Decking - Guttering - Drainage I work mainly alone, ensuring personalized attention to detail and dedication to every project. My commitment to excellence guarantees your satisfaction. Thank you for considering me for your next project.
nice man and reliable. will use him in the future
midland improvements has over 35 years in the home improvement market from a kitchen to a bathroom from a garage conversion to a full renovation whatever your home improvement needs we have the experience and trades to complete the job ,
Garage conversion into living accommodation, en-suite, and retained small section for storage accessible from both outside and inside. Great work that's stood up to almost 4 years of solid regular use so far.
TCL Building and Landscapes, friendly professional service.
Quick response and turn around
USE US ONCE,,,,,TRUST US ALLWAYS !
Very friendly and helpful service. Fairly priced quote so good value for money. Will be contacting them again if I need further work in the future. Thank you for your help
we are experience refurbishment contractors. we are reputable and reliable builders, established since 2010 and over 20years experience in building trade. using our skill and materials, we are eager to ensure that our customers are completely satisfied.
Did not received the quote / response after sent the details.
Bathroom renovation and installation. Tiling. Woodwork. Plumbing. Brickwork. Tiling.
Professional approach. Explained the job thoroughly. Completed quickly and very reasonable cost for the job. Happy customer and already using this company for another job!
Rooftop construction Ltd a locally run business with many years in the trade we aim to please all our customers with precision roofing techniques and a wealth of knowledge to solve any roofing issues including flat roofs pitched roof garage roofs we also attend to storm damage work and we aim to attend all quotation on time every time !
My name’s is John and I’m the owner of EAGLE SERVICE company. EAGLE SERVICE is a Property Maintenance Company based in Bournemouth,providing all aspects of maintenance and offering a friendly, reliable and honest service. I have worked in the building & property maintenance sector for the last 18years, dealing with most household jobs from the minor (electric,plumbing,carpentry ) to complete renovation of flats and houses. If it's a job that you can't do yourself or need advice don't hesitate to get in touch with me!!
Excellent communication and work!Took the time to explain potential problems and solutions before taking the job. Spent a lot of time helping us decide on what we wanted, organised ordering everything and even offered to be there when they were delivered. Most impressively for me was he was able to organise the whole job via messages at unusual times due to me being a shift worker and even worked weekends to limit the interruption in my life! Probably the best tradesman I've ever used! HIGHLY RECOMMEND????
MKN CONSTRUCTION LTD based in Heston serving the surrounding areas. As well as general building work, we specialise in Loft Conversions, Kitchen and Bathroom Installations, House extensions and New Builds. Available 7 days a week, we are able to fit around your busy schedule. With passion and professionalism in every job, you can be assured that we always make sure the customer is happy, and keep you up to date throughout.
I hired MKN to renovate my bathroom, MKN did a fantastic job, hard working and high quality work. Would definitely recommend and will definitely use again.
Available for: Roof work repair or replace. Building and maintenance. Carpentry. Plastering. Plumbing. Electrics. Plumbing. Landscaping design and build.
After initial contact he never came back to me. I messaged and phoned but no response.
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