Piling or Standard Foundations

Johnhowell

I would recommend that a ground investigation borehole is done rather than just a "shallow" trial hole. The pile design will need to know the ground make up further down.

We had two bore holes done a coupls of years ago at about £800. Speak to your structural engineer and ask what samples and in situ tests will be required to assist in the foundation design.

Building Control will want piles -as it is the easiest solution to sign off. If the cost of piling/ring beam is similar to excavation then I would say piling. We did not have piles as the cost difference was several thousand pounds - our structural engineer came up with a raft design but with thickened edge (for Building Control). The advantage of piles is the significant reduction in predicted settlement.

We had the luck of having the spoil deposited on an adjacent field so no cart-a-way and the builder reduce the cost by £400.

Good luck.
John

emjay99

If you choose piling, remember that there are several different type of piles for different purposes. Unfortunately many of the most effective piles are not economic for a small project.