If you’re a building company looking for a contractor to help you with groundworks for an extension, we can help. Our family groundworks business, based in Petworth, works across West Sussex and beyond. In this article, we’ll share details of a recent project in Rustington. But first, let’s look at the jobs you’ll need a groundworks contractor for if your residential client is considering an extension.
Groundworks for an Extension:
Site Clearance:
This first vital step is often overlooked when your client budget’s for an extension. We understand that you’ll require an obstacle-free site, and we will ensure this happens, removing and disposing of waste, such as old masonry, excess soil, and undergrowth.
Foundations:
Any extension (unless it’s little more than a lean-to) will require solid foundations, with groundworks to prepare for laying those foundations.
Drains and Service Installations:
Any new room(s) will require all the comforts of the rest of your client’s home, and it’s our job to ensure everything is in place for their service providers. Before integrating everything seamlessly, we’ll look at the existing drainage and how it falls. We’ll also ensure any channels and trenches for their essential services are in place.
Final Works:
There’s a common misconception that once the walls go up, the groundworks for an extension is finished. As you likely know, this is not always the case. We are often the last on the scene, as we might install new paths, patios and driveways once all the heavy construction traffic has left the site.
A Recent Project:
We were delighted to work with our clients, Extraordinary Rooms, on a recent extension in Pigeonhouse Lane, Rustington.
Scope of Project:
The project’s initial phase was to strip out and demolish the existing extension and garage and grub out all concrete slabs and foundations to allow a fresh start. After this, we began creating a new ground-bearing slab consisting of excavation for foundations, pouring new founds, reducing oversite, and allowing for cavity foundation blockwork and brickwork. We also installed lintels for services. We installed soak-away crates for a surface water drainage system for the extension and allowance for foul drainage alterations. Finally, we finished the project by installing a hardstand for parking and traffic purposes.
Special Circumstances:
For this job, we were given a set of plans that were not construction plans, so communication was vital to most project elements. But, as well as working alongside the main contractor, we also had a lot of involvement and discussions with their client. So, generally, we all worked together as a team which worked very well and resulted in a successful project.
The challenge of this job came from adverse weather conditions. There was some heavy rain, causing some difficulty with puddling and mud. But our teams are tough groundworkers, so they sailed through it. In fact, we had quoted four weeks for completion, and that’s precisely how long it took our team of three to complete the job!
If you’re a building company looking for a contractor to help with residential groundworks for an extension. Contact us HERE; we’d love to chat about your West Sussex project.
