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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?
NPC Decorators
Underpinning / Piling / Foundations
Elevate your home's style and value with our exceptional Painting and Decorating services. • Expert color consultation and design • Fast, efficient, and meticulous workmanship • Personalized service to fit your unique needs • High-quality paints, materials, and finishes • Flexible scheduling to fit your timeline Whether you're preparing to sell, refreshing a tired space, or creating your dream interior, our premium Painting and Decorating services will elevate your living experience and increase the value of your property. Invest in your home and enjoy the benefits of a beautifully updated space that reflects your unique style. Our meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality ensures a flawless finish that will have a lasting impact. Let us handle the hard work so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your transformed living space.
Sam Construction Services
Underpinning / Piling / Foundations
About Sam Construction Services Welcome to Sam Construction Services! We are a professional and reliable construction team, driven by a passion for building quality projects and exceeding client expectations. With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in delivering high-quality construction services, including: - Renovations and extensions - Loft conversions - Kitchen and bathroom renovations - Driveways, patios, and landscaping - General building and repairs Our team is fully trained, highly skilled, and dedicated to completing every project to the highest standards. We combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, ensuring results that stand the test of time. At Sam Construction Services, customer satisfaction is our top priority. We pride ourselves on: ? Clear communication from start to finish ? Transparent pricing with no hidden costs ? Timely project completion within agreed deadlines We are fully insured and guarantee that all work meets industry standards and regulations. ???? Contact us today for a free quote and let us bring your construction projects to life!
Hi im Tom from secure carpentry & renovation Ltd. We cover all aspects of property renovation and developments . We have over 25 years of experience and qualifications and pride our self in being at the top of our game the reviews speak for its self . We are a friendly and well organised company our work ethic is impeccable and extremely professional and tidy . Fully insured for all aspects of the trade.
Happy with job overall, skilled caftmanship. After job issue: Glue has leaked onto door from frame and hardened until seen on day of instalation. Was advised it can be fixed and will attend to it when passing by. The rating will be changed once this is fixed or new door installed as I paid for new door. It is not my doing thaglue leaked.
Hi my name is Tom I’ve been plastering for 20 years. I provide a clean helpful service and i do my up most to meet customers requirements
Tom came to skim my son's ceiling but because it had old artex and very uneven he decided to put a false ceiling in, board that and then skim it. Tom is a really friendly guy, kept showing me where he was up to in the job and was very tidy and did a great overall job at a good price. Wouldn't hesitate to use Tom again or recommend to friends and family.
Electrician at Self employed electrical engineer
Came out short notice. Managed to squeeze me in. Due to short notice of getting room plastered 3 days later. Had 4 double plugs put in. In chrome like I wanted. They were professional and cleaned up after themselves. Will definitely use again
Gulf Builder Ltd company made up of a highly skilled team of professionals who will take all the hard work out of your house refurbishment in London. Whether you want to refurbish your entire house or a single room. You can read below what else we do; - Transforming Spaces, Inspiring Lives. - Revive, Renew, Redefine. - Renovate and Elevate. - The Art of Renovation. - Design. Renovate. Inspire. - Your Vision, Our Expertise. - Discover the Joy of a Perfectly Renovated Space - Turning ideas into action. - Built on trust, focused on quality.
I was looking for a builder to do an extension at back. Gulf Builder provided me with advice on materials, exact cost and time. They have done a fantastic job in short span of time and delivered the job to my absolute satisfaction. Rare to find.
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SRG Renovations Ltd have built a reputation to be proud of, with our team of highly qualified tradesmen we can carry out any project you may have in mind weather it be a small job or a major renovation project all at a very competitive price.
Clean, high quality plasterers. positive attitude. Highly recommended.
We are a friendly family run business of 3 generation's We offer a complete building service with all of our trades men in house. we have completed some major restorations such as Vermont hotel 108 bathrooms county hotel full conversion many extensions and house builds also maintenance for landlords and home owners give us a try and hope to see you soon.
Excellent. Did the work with no bother. Good price.
ES Building Services is a family run business with a team of highly skilled, well experienced and passionate professionals who puts your needs at the forefront of what we do. All our work is completed to the highest industry standards and compliance with current regulations is always met. We focus on providing a high end finish on all of our projects regardless of budget. We will make sure you are involved and understood at every step of the process, from design to completion. Whether it’s a simple maintenance job or a full internal refurbishment, we aim to provide a level of service that exceeds your expectations. Our predominant active contacts consist of bathroom and kitchen refurbishment work. We work alongside multiple industry leaders and have an excellent track record in providing high quality installations across London. With a skilled and mature team of professionals we have an abundance of experience in all areas of building services. We specialise in full internal refurbishments covering all aspects of the build: strip out, plastering, kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, electrics and everything in between. With over 300+ 5* reviews accross all platforms, rest assured your property is in safe hands with ES Building Services. Kitchens Bathrooms Refurbishments Electrical installation + Everything in between NICEIC Aproved Contractor. GasSafe Registered Engineers. SafeContractor Approved.
We hired ES Electrical to fit our new Kitchen and also added a toilet and shower unit downstairs. From the begening we found Harry and his Team to be very professional but also had have a very friendly approach. They listerned to our concearns during the process of the instillation and also gave us some good advice and ideas. We found them to be very tidy with their work and respected our property. Overhall we are very happy with the outcome of our new Kitchen and Bathroom,hence we have giving this rating.
Hi, I do high quality Carpantery work. -Fitting doors -kitchen fitting -wooden floor installation as well as sanding and varnashing -Fitting sash windows
Qamil He constructed our loft conversion, which we more than happy with. He paid attention to detail and followed the drawings by the architect precisely.He was always willing to discuss any issues and communicate his next plans for the ongoing work. As he was hardworking and punctual the work was done to programme. Would highly recommend him and all the sub-contractors that he has used. Tracey and Andy Sparks
LD Design & Build is a trusted construction company specializing in a wide range of services to meet the needs of both residential and commercial clients. With a focus on quality and attention to detail, we offer expert plastering and rendering, painting and decorating, plasterboard installation, as well as handyman and carpentry services. Whether you're renovating a single room or undertaking a large-scale project, our skilled team is committed to delivering superior craftsmanship and exceptional customer service every step of the way. At LD Design & Build, we take pride in transforming spaces and ensuring our clients' vision comes to life with precision and care.
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
I am a fully qualified Painter and Decorator with over 27 years of experience in the building trade, and I’m also very competent in other areas of the construction industry. I have a full Multi trade/Property Maintenance Building Company that covers all aspects of the building trade, from small jobs to full house renovations. With my team of very competent and experienced tradesmen We specialise in kitchen and bathroom fit outs, and also do renovations, loft conversions and garage conversions.
Do not hire, been ripped off. Would Give zero stars Cancelled multiple days 20+ Small cloakroom refurb Work not completed after 3 months, we gave up and cancelled. Paid for materials that were not supplied Taking the matter further
London Development uk ltd is our company, we have been trading for over 12 years in the construction business. - We are a fully insured company with a big portfolio of jobs completed and we are friendly and reliable on any work and business that is coming across. - We can do big jobs as new buildings or full refurbishments, basements, extensions, lofts conversions etc and also we can do small jobs as bathroom refurbishments or even smaller is always space and time for a new job. - We guarantee you that you will get the best workmanship on your job with best skills and acknowledge in the construction industry, time effective and costly effective for customers. Try our company and you will gain the benefits!!!
Peter contacted me and was amazing, professional with his quote and recommendation. Very clean, tidy service and very open and honest. Peter and his team are excellent builders.
Whether you're in need of a renovation, facing an emergency leak, requiring asbestos removal, or seeking efficient waste management services, we've got all your needs covered. Look no further for comprehensive property solutions at competitive rates. As proud members of the Federation of Master Builders, our skilled and experienced team possesses the necessary expertise to tackle any project. With a robust track record of successfully completing a variety of jobs in both commercial and residential settings, our team is fully equipped to handle projects of any size and complexity. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we are committed to delivering optimal results for you. Choose Nu Space for a seamless, reliable, and expert approach to meet your requirements.
A time and date was agreed with this company to attend our home and then provide us with a quote. However on the due date, the Representative of the company did not arrive. When we tried to call the company to find out why, we continually received an out of office message even tho this was only late afternoon . Very poor , we will not use this company again
T G BUILDING PROPERTIES LTD With over 40 years of experience in the Bristol area, T G BUILDING PROPERTIES LTD is a trusted name in construction. Renowned for our expertise in building control, we work closely with architects and structural engineers to deliver high-quality results across all types of projects. Our extensive experience includes: New Builds: From ground-up construction to final finishes, we handle every stage with professionalism and precision. Conversions & Extensions: Whether you’re transforming an existing space or expanding, we have done it all. General Construction: With a wide skillset, we cover everything in the construction field, ensuring that your project is completed to the highest standards. We are fully insured, with public liability insurance, giving you peace of mind throughout the project. Simply send us your pictures, plans, or drawings, and we’ll be happy to provide a competitive quote. For reliable, experienced construction work in the Bristol area, trust T G BUILDING PROPERTIES LTD to bring your vision to life.
Provided a neat and complete work by cutting the wall and squarring the archway. Very professional.
We are a small company, specialising in supplying quality workmanship, to customers, all our installers have aquiared many years of experience, this includes electrician, carpenters, painters, floor layers , we specialise in garage conversions, and refurbishment work ,
DO NOT USE THIS BUILDERS THEY ARE ROUGH TRADERS
Apex is a maintenance service company, specialising in Plumbing, Heating and General Building. Our experienced team offer a host of skills, covering many different sectors to allow us to be your one-stop shop. So whether you're a domestic customer with a plumbing and heating issue, or, a domestic client requiring general property solutions, we can tailor your needs under one roof. Our team is fully insured and with over 30 years of experience, we're the go-to company for plumbing and heating, with a quick-to-action call-out priority covering Oxfordshire, Bucks and Berkshire.
Fantastic job. Clear communication and completed the work within time. Will recommend whole heartedly.
We at Ins Construction & Landscape pride ourselves on delivering exceptional construction and landscaping services across London and Kent. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to transforming your visions into reality with precision and quality, ensuring each project is completed to the highest standard. Discover how our expertise can enhance your home or commercial space, providing aesthetically pleasing and functional environments tailored to your unique needs. Our Expert Services: - Domestic Construction Our domestic construction services are designed to create the perfect living spaces for families in London and beyond. With a focus on contemporary design and sustainable building practices, we ensure each project reflects the unique style and needs of our clients while adhering to the highest quality standards. - Landscape Design Our landscape design services offer innovative solutions to transform your outdoor spaces into captivating environments. From lush gardens to functional outdoor living areas, our expert designers will bring your vision to life, combining creativity with practicality to enhance your property's appeal. - Commercial Projects At Ins Construction & Landscape, we specialise in handling complex commercial projects with precision and expertise. Our team is equipped to manage everything from office builds to retail fit-outs, ensuring minimal disruption to your business while delivering projects on time and within budget.
Thank you Ionut and the team, im so happy to have a space where I can be proud of! I needed the existing paving slabs removed and to put in place decking, artifical grass, and planters put in. They provided the materials and kept me informed in the process. They are hardworking and I saw a huge difference for every day they came. Thank you once again for taking on this project, and I'm so happy this has all been done before summer has started! Would hire again!
General Building and maintenance New builds Exstensions Restoration Renovation
We had them in to install insulation in our upstairs floor, replace the sub floor, replace some lights, install a loft hatch, and board out our loft. On top of this they discovered a problem in our roof that they fixed. We were incredibly impressed by all of the staff that attended on site. They were friendly, polite at all times, and worked really hard, to a high standard. I couldn't recommend James and his team more, and we've already started talking to them about a further project.
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