Foundation Inspection
Every CR Smith conservatory, orangeries or sunroom is specified with a standard strip foundation up to the depth of one metre. However, with the growing number of new homes being built there are an increasing number being constructed on brownfield sites. This is combination with changes to accessibility regulations, can result in properties having extra deep or special foundations to ensure the integrity of the build.
Building Control
To comply with domestic Building Regulations (Scotland), Section 1 Structure and BS EN 1991-1, 2004, new structures must have the same foundation detail as the existing house, in both type and cast. Therefore, to avoid issues once the build is underway CR Smith will confirm the foundation type of every house in advance.
Exploratory Test Pits
The only way to confirm the foundation detail is to physically check by digging exploratory test pits. It is a common misconception that house builders or local authorities keep records of foundation types, but this is not the case. Even where neighbouring properties have extended and did not require special foundations, this doesn't mean your house won't because ground conditions can change from house to house. If you have a copy of your NHBC pack from when your home was built, this may give an indication to the foundation type, but we would still need to carry out a physical examination by digging test pits for confirmation.
Ground Quality
Once we have completed our on-site measurement survey to confirm the exact size, specification and location of your new conservatory we'll arrange for a member of our foundation team to dig a minimum of two exploratory test pits adjacent to your house, where the new structure is to be built. Digging test pits will allow us to determine the quality of the ground and confirm the foundation detail of your home. We'll take reference photos of our findings and detail the measurements and specifications on our report document.
Your Foundation Type
If we find that your homes current foundations are a standard strip up to 1m deep then we will then make good the ground and arrange for your plans to be finalised and submitted to your local authority. If, however, your house has extra deep, raft or mini-pile foundations then we will need to re-specify the contract with the correct foundation detail, and the latter two options will require a visit from a Structural Engineer to confirm and appropriate specification. This will most likely result in a change to the contract price to cover the additional equipment, materials, builder work and in some instances specialist contractors. In the case of raft and mini-pile foundations, the test pits will be left open but made safe, until the Engineer can visit the site to confirm our findings and draw up the necessary foundation specification. They aim to visit within five working days of our initial inspection.
