Foundations of a New Build House

Before you proceed with the foundations of your new self build house, you will need a site soil investigation and engineers report. This is an important part of the self build process and your mortgage lender will most likely expect you to obtain it.

Normal house foundations will be composed of a trench dug 1.2 metres deep and 600 mm in width, which can then be filled with poured concrete up to a depth of 200mm from the top, leaving 2 course of blocks up to the level of the damp proof course.

Alternatively, the trench will have a concrete bottom of 225mm depth with two leaves of blockwork and a damp proof course on top.

With more difficult ground conditions, you will need to consult an engineer. On site trees with heavy clay may involve a deeper foundation with the sides of the trench covered with compressible material. Really difficult ground may require a reinforced concrete raft foundation.

Before commencing the excavations of the foundation, you will have to remove topsoil. Excavated topsoil will increase in volume by about 20 percent but will settle back later. Up to 200mm should be removed from the trenching area. Excavated soil from the foundation trench will then have to be removed from the site, unless you have a definite plan for it, such as garden landscaping.

Opting for a trenchfill foundation will allow concrete to be poured in quickly and minimise the risk of bad weather holdups or problems with the sides of the house foundation trench.

After site clearance, you should spread hardcore in the area where building machinery and cars will be parked and this will help reduce problems with mud and boggy ground.

This article is only intended as a basic general summary and you should always seek professional advice where necessary.

As well as providing full Project Management Services SOLEPOINT also provides Project Management Mentoring and Consultancy throughout your selfbuild at a substantially reduced cost.

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