Limited access to property for builders

tortoiseshellcat

Hi we are hoping to get an extension done at some time but I've just had a horrible thought. Our house is down a footpath so you can't get any vehicle to it, does this mean we can't get any building work done because of any equipment builders would need?

Rain_Shadow

I have just had an extension built at the rear/side of my property. The only access was down a footpath alongside the site.


You'd be surprised just how narrow some diggers and dumper trucks are to allow access to such areas.

casper_g

Limited access will mean the works cost more due to the hassle factor, and might put some builders off quoting for the work, but it shouldn't mean anything is completely ruled out. People manage to build rear extensions on terraced houses where the only access is through the house, after all!

cyclonebri1

I "think" the min legal width for a footpath is 1.5 metres, the builders will be ok if not happy with that. They may not get a big machine down there but there's always the manual way, however it's materials delivery that I see as a bigger issue.

Having said that, as long as the tea keeps flowing they will put up with most things.:A

tonyh66

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I "think" the min legal width for a footpath is 1.5 metres, the builders will be ok if not happy with that. They may not get a big machine down there but there's always the manual way, however it's materials delivery that I see as a bigger issue.

Having said that, as long as the tea keeps flowing they will put up with most things.:A

Yep, visualise concrete being pumped over the top of the house with a big tube.

Stevey198321

Easily done. The army use helicopters to move large vehicles so this is one option, or might be a bit cheaper to rent a crane to lift the vehicles over?

Or a cheaper option, depending how long your garden is, would be to build a ramp over your house, you probably could build it out of scaffolding but will need to check with local companies. Just be sure that the angle isn't too steap otherwise might be a problem with driving on and off the ramp.

If none of the above seem to be of any use ie your garden isn't long enough, the army are too busy, crane is too expensive then ask the builders when they come to quote how.much it will be to remove your front and back wall of the house and prop upstairs up while they drive the digger through and then how much it would be to put the walls back once the extension is complete

There is a solution to every problem, sometimes you just have to think outside the box

Clive_Woody

Stevey198321 wrote: »

Easily done. The army use helicopters to move large vehicles so this is one option, or might be a bit cheaper to rent a crane to lift the vehicles over?

Or a cheaper option, depending how long your garden is, would be to build a ramp over your house, you probably could build it out of scaffolding but will need to check with local companies. Just be sure that the angle isn't too steap otherwise might be a problem with driving on and off the ramp.

If none of the above seem to be of any use ie your garden isn't long enough, the army are too busy, crane is too expensive then ask the builders when they come to quote how.much it will be to remove your front and back wall of the house and prop upstairs up while they drive the digger through and then how much it would be to put the walls back once the extension is complete

There is a solution to every problem, sometimes you just have to think outside the box

I particularly like the ramp over the house idea.

Blue sky thinking :money:

rosie383

Even though we are in a semi detached, the side access is quite narrow. The builders dug the footings without machine, and when it came to pumping cement, the builder brought a load of young guys with wheelbarrows and they just took it by the barrowful down to the back.

cyclonebri1

Clive_Woody wrote: »

I particularly like the ramp over the house idea.

Blue sky thinking :money:

Watch out for Eddie the Eagle though:A:A;)


Management consultants I know would love that 1, "yes my friend, think outside of the box",

Clive_Woody

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Watch out for Eddie the Eagle though:A:A;)


Management consultants I know would love that 1, "yes my friend, think outside of the box",

We've put the moose on the table, got our ducks in a row and we're now addressing the elephant in the room!!! :beer:

FreeBear

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

You'd be surprised just how narrow some diggers and dumper trucks are to allow access to such areas.

You can get mini-diggers & dump trucks that will fit through a standard doorway. They are plenty big enough to do all the ground works required for an average extension.

Neighbour had a substantial single storey extension built last year. All the footings, drainage channels & soakaways were dug by hand and the spoil wheelbarrowed to a skip by way of a single door through the garage.