Speedybase

bozzy18

Hello folks - what are your thoughts on 'speedybase' foundation? To me it appears to be quick, much more cost efficient, a good way to get around the party wall agreement etc but I am not a builder nor do I know anything about building stuff.  They offer a 25 years guarantee for the speedybase foundation.  We are looking to extend 4 metres outwards from our detached house (less than 3 metres away from neighbour's house hence why party wall agreement) and 4.2 metres wide.  What are your thoughts on this please?
Thanks.
Boz

stuart45

Is this for an extension or a conservatory?

FreeBear

For a conservatory or other temporary structure (e.g. shed or garden room), adequate with caveats & reservations. For a proper extension, really not acceptable, and I doubt very much that Building Control would sign off on it.

bozzy18

stuart45 said:

Is this for an extension or a conservatory?

Sorry yes its for an extension with Ultraroof and solid wall on one side and part wall with window on the other and french doors on the other side. 

bozzy18

FreeBear said:

For a conservatory or other temporary structure (e.g. shed or garden room), adequate with caveats & reservations. For a proper extension, really not acceptable, and I doubt very much that Building Control would sign off on it.

Thanks - can I ask why it is not acceptable?   It will be all done with building regs and designed to BSI standard etc.   They would dig down 1 metre and infill with concrete pads then lay a steel frame on top.

stuart45

Are the company based in Worthing doing the complete build?

bozzy18

stuart45 said:

Are the company based in Worthing doing the complete build?

yes although they do cover a wide area.

stuart45

How do they compare cost wise with a traditional brick/cavity/block built extension?

FreeBear

bozzy18 said:

FreeBear said:

For a conservatory or other temporary structure (e.g. shed or garden room), adequate with caveats & reservations. For a proper extension, really not acceptable, and I doubt very much that Building Control would sign off on it.

Thanks - can I ask why it is not acceptable?   It will be all done with building regs and designed to BSI standard etc.   They would dig down 1 metre and infill with concrete pads then lay a steel frame on top.

So... Shallow piles - A little more than some of the speedybases I'd seen being put down for conservatories. Depending on the size of the pads & steel frames, you may get an acceptable build, but the devil is in the preparation and detail. I'd have concerns about the long term viability of the steelwork and how easy it would be to monitor corrosion and do any necessary repairs.

bozzy18

stuart45 said:

How do they compare cost wise with a traditional brick/cavity/block built extension?

a few thousands different to be honest.  primary concern is the party wall agreement as we know our neighbours will be difficult about this!

bozzy18

FreeBear said:

bozzy18 said:

FreeBear said:

For a conservatory or other temporary structure (e.g. shed or garden room), adequate with caveats & reservations. For a proper extension, really not acceptable, and I doubt very much that Building Control would sign off on it.

Thanks - can I ask why it is not acceptable?   It will be all done with building regs and designed to BSI standard etc.   They would dig down 1 metre and infill with concrete pads then lay a steel frame on top.

So... Shallow piles - A little more than some of the speedybases I'd seen being put down for conservatories. Depending on the size of the pads & steel frames, you may get an acceptable build, but the devil is in the preparation and detail. I'd have concerns about the long term viability of the steelwork and how easy it would be to monitor corrosion and do any necessary repairs.

FreeBear said:

bozzy18 said:

FreeBear said:

For a conservatory or other temporary structure (e.g. shed or garden room), adequate with caveats & reservations. For a proper extension, really not acceptable, and I doubt very much that Building Control would sign off on it.

Thanks - can I ask why it is not acceptable?   It will be all done with building regs and designed to BSI standard etc.   They would dig down 1 metre and infill with concrete pads then lay a steel frame on top.

So... Shallow piles - A little more than some of the speedybases I'd seen being put down for conservatories. Depending on the size of the pads & steel frames, you may get an acceptable build, but the devil is in the preparation and detail. I'd have concerns about the long term viability of the steelwork and how easy it would be to monitor corrosion and do any necessary repairs.

Thanks for this - very helpful.  They said they would dig down 1 metre deep but holes instead of trenches.  With regard to the steelwork - how are other steelwork is monitored such as RSJs, steel frame build etc - aren't they not easily monitored either?  Nevertheless i will ask them how the steelframe is monitored and see what they say.