Foundation costs?

jamiem1234

Hi everyone,

We are looking to get a log cabin built in our garden. Roughly it will be 3m x 2.5M. I was wondering does anyone have any experience of how much the foundation should roughly cost? I think I could attempt building the cabin myself but would need to get someone in to lay the concrete foundation.

Any help is appreciated.

Jamie 

FreeBear

Depending on how fit and able you are, doing the groundworks yourself isn't hugely difficult. Most of it is grunt work digging out the soil, tipping in a suitable hardcore (MOT1 or crushed rubble), and then putting down a layer of concrete. A couple of days work for two people and around £200 in materials (perhaps a bit more if you buy in ready mix concrete).

Rosa_Damascena

FreeBear said:

Depending on how fit and able you are, doing the groundworks yourself isn't hugely difficult. Most of it is grunt work digging out the soil, tipping in a suitable hardcore (MOT1 or crushed rubble), and then putting down a layer of concrete. A couple of days work for two people and around £200 in materials (perhaps a bit more if you buy in ready mix concrete).

How does the layman know they have got it right?

FreeBear

Rosa_Damascena said:

FreeBear said:

Depending on how fit and able you are, doing the groundworks yourself isn't hugely difficult. Most of it is grunt work digging out the soil, tipping in a suitable hardcore (MOT1 or crushed rubble), and then putting down a layer of concrete. A couple of days work for two people and around £200 in materials (perhaps a bit more if you buy in ready mix concrete).

How does the layman know they have got it right?

100-150mm of hardcore. 75mm or so of concrete on top - As long as it is flat and level, there isn't really much to go wrong. It isn't rocket science.

Plenty of videos on youtube if the OP needs a visual guide.

longwalks1

Exactly as FreeBear has said, I’ve just prepped a corner of our garden for a summer room, 3mx 3m. Whacked down type 1 level, then im planning a 80mm-100mm concrete base.  Going to build a crude wooden frame to keep it all in until it sets, and will use a reinforcing mesh to give it added strength.  The build my shed on old paving slabs to give it airflow under and keep the floor joists off the concrete base so they stay dry 

longwalks1

Forgot to say you can hire a cement mixer for £25 a day, well worth it if you’re moving your own (it’s not rocket science and easily do-able if you are fit and healthy) 

jamiem1234

Thanks for your replies.

I’m quite fit and able to the physical side of won’t be an issue but I’ve got very little knowledge of it so hence why I’m hesitant. Also there’s a slope where we’re looking to put it which of course will need to be levelled.

Would I need cement for a log cabin? Or would the type of foundation you’d use for a patio suffice? Thinking not due to weight.

Thanks 

Jamie 

FreeBear

Use the calculators here to work out quantities of MOT/hardcore & concrete - https://www.pavingexpert.com/calcall

For a base, C20 will be plenty strong enough. I'd recommend getting the materials loose tipped (apart from the cement) as it will be cheaper than bulk bags from the likes of Jewsons.