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myConcrete Foundation Cost
In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about the costs involved with this type of work, including the supply costs, labour costs, and any additional costs that may be involved.
£7,000
Table of Contents
- How Much Does It Cost to Lay Foundations?
- Supply Only Costs
- How Much Does a Foundation Builder Cost?
- What Impacts the Cost of Foundations?
- Additional Costs of Foundations
- What's Involved in Laying Foundation?
- Can I Lay Foundations Myself?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission For Laying Foundations
- Types of Foundations
- Hiring Contractors to Lay Foundations
- FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Lay Foundations?
Are you looking for some information on the cost of laying foundations? We will go over this along with the process of laying foundations, the different types of foundations, and the rules and regulations around laying foundations.
So, if you're interested in laying foundation prices, read on for everything you need to know.
There are several factors to consider when weighing up the average cost of laying concrete foundations. These factors can include the size and depth needed, the condition of the soil, and the location of the groundwork.
The type of structure you're building will also affect the overall cost. For example, laying foundations for extensions is going to cost more than laying decking foundations.
For a typical foundations and groundwork job covering an area of around 24m parameters (enough to accommodate a medium-sized home extension), you can expect to pay around £4,500 to £6,000 for strip foundations and around £5,000 to £6,500 for trench foundations.
These prices include all of the groundwork costs, materials, labour, and waste removal.
Laying Foundations Prices
The table below outlines the average cost to excavate and place foundations at the appropriate depth for a UK home.
The area calculated is based on an estimated excavation size required for stable foundations. The prices are calculated based on the required infill of concrete for each common foundation type.
| Type & Size of Foundation | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Trench fill – 5m x 2.5m x 1m | £3,600 – £3,800 |
| Trench fill – 7m x 5m x 1m | £5,600 – £6,000 |
| Trench fill – 15m x 9m x1m | £11,300 – £11,800 |
| Strip - 5m x 2.5m x 1m | £3,100 – £3,500 |
| Strip - 7m x 5m x 1m | £5,000 – £5,500 |
| Strip - 15m x 9m x1m | £9,500 – £10,500 |
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What are strip foundations and when would these foundations be most commonly used for a brick structure?
"Strip foundations are a traditional method of construction. They are usually 600mm wide to allow brick and block construction with an allowance for cavity wall insulation. They would be a minimum of 1000mm deep depending on soil conditions."
Supply Only Costs
In most cases, the quote from your foundations laying contractor will include all of the costs, including the labour and materials costs.
However, if you would prefer to source your own supplies, you may be interested in how much it will cost for the supplies alone.
If you are purchasing supplies yourself, you will need to purchase concrete for the foundations. The price of concrete can vary depending on the quality of the mix. However, the average cost for ready-made concrete is around £150 to £250 per m³.
For foundations, you will need a good quality, waterproof concrete mixture to ensure the foundations are safe, can support the building, and adhere to building regulations.
It is not very common for homeowners to purchase the supplies themselves for this type of work. It is recommended that you leave the supplies to the contractor in charge of the work as they will have the skills and knowledge needed to ensure all of the materials are safe and appropriate for use in foundations.
How Much Does a Foundation Builder Cost?
The price for the labour and the timescales that you can expect will depend mostly on the size of the foundations that you need.
For an average-sized foundation, you can expect the job to take around 2-4 weeks to complete. This timescale includes preparing the groundworks, inspecting the site, pouring the concrete, and the clean-up and waste removal process.
The timescales can vary due to several factors, including the weather conditions, the ground type, the accessibility of the site, and whether a building control officer needs to inspect the work. Also, if any further work is needed, this will increase the timescales.
Are there any practical differences between hiring a self-employed builder and a builder from a building company? Is there anything I should be aware of?
"I would say it shouldn’t make a difference. Do your due diligence and go and look at a previous project the builder has done, this gives you the opportunity to speak to the previous client and get feedback, preferably without the builder present.
I would recommend getting a JCT contract in place along with a schedule of works and detailed payment schedule. This will give you full control of the financials."
I would recommend getting a JCT contract in place along with a schedule of works and detailed payment schedule. This will give you full control of the financials."
Labour for this type of work will usually cost around £1,500 to £2,200 in total. There will usually be a team of tradespeople on site completing the work, as it can be quite dangerous to do this type of work alone.
The job is very labour-intensive, so more people working on the job will mean that the work is completed much faster.
There are several things that can affect the overall labour costs for this type of work. These factors can include the ease of the job, the length of time the job takes to complete, the type of company that you hire, and the location of your property.
Those based in the London area can expect to pay more for labour than those in the North or other parts of the UK.
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What Impacts the Cost of Foundations?
As with all types of construction work, there are several factors that can affect the overall cost of the job. Below is a list of the things that may affect the cost of laying house foundations in the UK:
Type of Foundations
The type of foundation you need will be determined by the type of structure that is being built above it. Strip foundations tend to be cheaper than trench foundations. However, strip foundations usually take longer to construct than trench foundations.
Size of Foundations
The scale of your project will affect the overall timeframes for the work. Plus, larger projects will also require more materials. With this in mind, larger projects will cost more than smaller projects.
The required depth for the foundation will also affect the overall cost. In areas where the soil is prone to shrinkage or where the foundations are located near trees, you may need to install deeper foundations which will take longer to construct and will require more materials.
Type of Ground
The type of ground that you're planning to construct the foundations on will affect the overall cost. Different soil types will require various depths and breadths of foundations.
With this in mind, the timescales to excavate the area and construct the foundations can be affected by the type of ground and will, therefore, affect the overall cost of the job.
Purpose of the Foundations
The purpose of the foundations may also affect the overall cost of the job. If you require house foundations for a double-storey extension, these will need to be able to support greater weight than foundations for a conservatory extension, for example.
This means that the work will require more materials and a greater depth, so the job will take longer to complete. This will result in higher costs.
Location of Property
Your location within the UK will also affect the overall cost of laying foundations. London and the surrounding areas are typically the most expensive when it comes to construction work.
This is due to higher demand and the higher cost of materials. Labour costs, in general, are typically more around the London areas than areas such as the North or other parts of the UK.
Ease of Access
The ease of access to the site can also factor into the job price. Areas that are difficult to reach will end up costing more.
This is because areas that are difficult to access will impact the workflow and may increase the time it takes for the materials to be delivered and implemented.
Additional Costs of Foundations
Suitable foundations are essential when completing any type of building project. With this in mind, there are several additional costs that you may need to budget for with this type of work.
Below is a table showing some of the things that you may need to consider before the foundations laying work can begin:
| Type of Work | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Soil Survey | £900 – £1,200 |
| Flood Risk Assessment | £500 – £800 |
| Tree Survey | £150 – £250 |
| Structural Engineer Cost | £600 – £900 |
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There are also several other things that you may need to budget for with this type of work. These usually involve additional jobs that you want to have completed along with your foundations work.
Below is a list of the additional things that you may wish to consider when having new foundations laid.
Garden Turf Cost
If your new foundations are accommodating an extension on the back of your home, this may result in some considerable changes to your garden space. In this case, you may need to budget for new garden turf along with your foundations work.
The total price you're quoted depends on a number of factors. However, the average turf installation cost is between £12 to £16 per m².
New Patio Cost
If you're looking to make some changes to your garden, you may also want to consider laying a new patio instead of adding garden turf.
For an area that's around 8m², a new patio costs between £750 to £1,000 if it's made up of concrete slabs. (This would include material and labour for the work.)
Dropped Kerb Cost
If you are having foundations laid for a garage at the front of your home, then you may need to consider having a kerb dropped outside your home.
The average dropped kerb costs is around £700 to £1,200 in the UK. However, the prices you're quoted for this type of job will depend on the location of your property and the number of kerbstones that need to be dropped.
New Driveway Cost
If you're considering installing a new garage at the front or side of your property, then you may want to consider installing a new driveway at the same time.
On average, anew driveway costs around £6,600 in the UK. However, the price you're quoted will largely depend on the type of driveway material you want to use and the size of the driveway.
Block paving remains one of the most popular type of driveway material in the UK. The cost of a block paving driveway (typical-sized) is between £3,000 and £4,000.
An alternative option to consider is tarmac, which is cheaper and quicker to install than block paving or resin driveways. It might not have the same aesthetic appeal as more expensive options, but it's ideal if you're sticking to a budget and need something that doesn't need much maintenance.
The average tarmac driveway costs is between £1,600 to £3,000 for a typical-sized driveway.
What's Involved in Laying Foundation?
It is essential to lay foundations properly for any construction work as the foundations will have a knock-on effect for the rest of the building process.
It is important to always check measurements multiple times to prevent any problems from occurring, as mistakes will end up being costly down the line.
Preparation
The first step in laying building foundations is the preparation work. The ground condition needs to be checked over to ensure the right kind of foundation is used.
Before the excavation can start, you must mark out the layout and ensure that it's the correct shape. Start with a single point as a reference for the heights needed, and then calibrate the rest of your measurements to this starting point.
Excavation
Once you have marked everything out and double-checked the measurements, you can then start excavating the area.
The width and depth of the excavation will be determined by your ground type and the foundation plans.
The amount of ground that needs to be removed will be calculated based on the type of foundation and the mass of materials that are needed so that it reaches floor level when in place.
Once the area has been excavated, Building Control will need to visit to sign off on the work or advise on any further work that needs to take place.
You will likely require a skip during this process to remove waste.
Fill The Trench or Strip
Once the excavation work has been signed off, you can then fill the excavated area with concrete.
You should place pegs in the trenches to represent the necessary level needed for the foundation.
Strip foundations require support structures like boards to help with stability.
Once the concrete has been poured, use a rake on the top of the concrete to ensure it is level. Wait for the concrete to completely dry before continuing to the next step.
Bring The Foundations to Ground Level
Next, you need to bring the foundations up to the ground level. The method for this will differ depending on the type of foundation being built.
Take a look at the methods below for the different types of foundations:
Trench-Fill Foundations
Once the concrete has been poured to the desired height, the blockwork can be placed, and a damp-proof course should then be installed.
Strip Foundations
The concrete pour on a strip foundation tends to be much shallower than a trench foundation. This means more blockwork is required below the ground level to raise the foundations to the correct height.
Once at ground level, the wall can then be separated with a damp-proof course before the rest of the construction continues.
Can I Lay Foundations Myself?
Whether or not you can lay your foundations yourself will depend on several factors. This can include the complexity of the build, the scale of the project, and the type of soil that you're building on.
Providing your foundations are quite straightforward, you might be able to complete the work as a DIY project. However, if it is anything more complicated, this should be left to the professionals. This is especially true when working around things such as cables and drains.
A building company will have insurance that covers accidental damage. However, your personal home insurance may not cover any damage that may be caused during the process of the work.
We have an existing conservatory (brick for bottom 0.5m) attached to the rear of the house. Is it likely the conservatory footings will be suitable if we convert this into an extension or will they need re-doing?
"My advice would be to excavate to the side of the footing and contact a structural engineer. Dig at least 1 or 2 holes next to the footings. They will then be able to tell you if you have enough footing to take the new weight of the extension.
If the footings are a minimum 1m deep and a minimum 600mm wide, you should be okay and not need to redo the footings."
If the footings are a minimum 1m deep and a minimum 600mm wide, you should be okay and not need to redo the footings."
If you do decide to complete this as a DIY job, you will need to have excavation plans before you begin the digging. These plans will usually be supplied by an architect or a structural engineer.
The plans will detail the width and depth of your foundations. You can’t simply start digging and just hope for the best.
If you do complete this as a DIY job, it will still need to be signed off by a Building Control Officer. This applies whether you do the work yourself or let the professionals handle it.
If you don't notify Building Control of your work, you could be handed a pretty large fine, and the work may have to be amended at a later date or complete undone altogether.
In most cases, it is recommended that you choose a professional company to handle your foundations for you.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission For Laying Foundations
Building regulations are a set of structural standards that every new build must adhere to. The work will require an inspection and approval from your local authority.
You can find information about the recommended depth and width of foundations in the Approved Document A, proven by the Building Regulations.
Roughly how wide should my foundation be? The wall will be a course of brick backed up by a block.
"600mm wide. So thats 100mm of brick, 100mm cavity, 100mm block = 300mm + 150mm bearing either side of the wall = 600mm"
Your structural engineer will usually complete a building survey to determine the type of ground that you have, and this will help them decide which type of foundation would be most suitable for you. They will also submit plans to your local authority for approval.
Once the area has been excavated, your local authority will inspect the area to determine if you can complete the proposed work and to ensure that your site is adequate to support the proposed build.
The cost of this inspection varies. However, you can expect to pay around £300 to £450 for this.
What depth foundation is required for a garage tagged on to a line of flat roofed garages? And what would be the cost of building the garage?
"At least 1metre. It'd cost about £12,000, but it depends on the materials you’re using (rubber roofing system, cement sheets, bricks, blocks, windows, doors)."
Types of Foundations
There are two common types of foundations that are used in domestic settings: strip foundations and trench foundations.
In this section, we will look at some more information on these two types of foundations and the pros and cons of each type.
Strip Foundation Cost
Strip foundations are usually formed by digging channels into the ground right underneath the location where the walls will be erected. A thin layer of concrete is then poured into the base, and the subsurface walls are built to bring the foundation up to ground level.
Strip foundations usually cost around £3,100 to £10,500, depending on the size of the area.
Pros
✔ Cheap material costs compared to trench foundations
✔ Great for soil types with good bearing capacity
Cons
✖ Not suitable for every ground type
✖ More time-consuming to construct than trench foundations
Trench Foundation Cost
Trench foundations are created by digging a large surface area and then mass pouring concrete over this large surface area. These foundations use concrete as a footing. This minimises the amount of subsurface blockwork that is needed.
Trench foundations usually cost around £3,600 to £11,800, depending on the size of the area.
Pros
✔ Faster to construct than strip foundations
✔ Less labour intensive than strip foundations
✔ The load of construction is spread over a larger surface area
Cons
✖ More expensive to build due to the materials
Hiring Contractors to Lay Foundations
You may need to consider several things when finding the right contractor to build foundations for you.
Below is a list of common questions that you should ask when looking for the right contractor for the job:
- Does the contractor have any qualifications that relate directly to constructing foundations?
- What equipment will the contractor be using to complete the job? Will they be using the correct type of equipment? Do you need to provide any equipment?
- Does the contractor possess any form of insurance for the work? You should look for contractors who have insurance covering property damage, personal injuries, and a work guarantee.
- How much experience does the contractor have in building foundations? Can they provide any testimonials or evidence of previous work? Can they provide photos of previous work?
- Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work? How long does the guarantee last? What issues are covered under guarantee? Will the contractor fix any issues that arise?
- How long will the work take to complete?
- How many contractors will be working on the job?
- Is there anything you need to do to prepare for the job?
FAQs
How close can foundations be to a drain?
According to Building Regulation H4, if your foundations are going to be built within three metres of a public sewer or within one metre of a public lateral drain, you must obtain approval before the work can begin. Your Building Regulations Officer will then inform you of the appropriate course of action for your particular groundwork.
Why are the foundations of a building important?
Foundations are important because they are the initial building blocks of any construction. Laying blocks foundations will help with the structural integrity of the structure that is built upon them.
What is the minimum depth needed for foundations to adhere to building regulations?
According to the building regulations, your foundations need to be a minimum depth of 1000mm. However, in some difficult soil types, this may need to be 3000mm. Your structural engineer will be able to advise the appropriate depth needed according to your soil type and the type of foundation that is being built.
How do you check the depth of foundations?
To check the depth of your foundations, you should start by measuring and cutting a length of wood to the appropriate height and then place this upright in the trench. If the wood peaks over the edge of the foundation, this means your trench is not deep enough, and more excavation needs to take place.
Can the ground type affect the foundations?
Yes, your ground type can affect the type of foundation that you should use at your site. It will also determine the depth to which your foundations should be dug. A soil survey will determine the conditions of the soil at your property, and the contractor will advise you on which type of foundation would be best for your site.
