The size of the foundations doesn't change the fact he's still getting Xm2 for a cost that's around standard for a fully finished room. Foundations always look small.
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Living room Extension (single story)
- Thread starter kai
- Start date
Soldato
Our extension being built is about 4x6m and it's weird how much smaller it looks when just the foundations are in. We had the sub-base and concrete poured this week and now it's a big slab with some walls going up it definitely seems to look bigger.
Hopefully yours all works out nice in the end
Hopefully yours all works out nice in the end
Agree its not a massive extension. However, the actual size will be 2.5 m x 4.2m. 10.50 m² with an open vaulted roof.
The idea behind this is to open our living out. We are not adding an extra room we are extending the existing room.
So our living room will go from 7m x 4m to 9.5m length, vaulted roof and lots of open fronted glass.
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Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Mar 2013
- Posts
- 9,162
I was surprised when we had our extension how little concrete goes in, I expected the ~800 he dug down to be completely full of concrete but it was only something like a foot and then brick (although it's quite clayee Hehe).
Raft foundation is ready to go. The steel is on order and will be tied later this week. Cement should be poured on Friday.
The local council planning department are doing a site visit tomorrow for lawful development. They might be a little annoyed I have already started the work. However, I see no restrictions that could impose the build under permitted development.
In the interim, I have started my own project. Friday I ordered 20 (2.4m x 250 x 125) railway sleepers. I also have 2 ton of compost arriving today. The plan is to build a retaining wall and landscape the top end of the garden. We are also moving the fence moving back to our boundary.
The top end has always been dead space - on completion we will be looking out from the bi-fold.
Step 1. Turn these
And this area i have started
Into
The local council planning department are doing a site visit tomorrow for lawful development. They might be a little annoyed I have already started the work. However, I see no restrictions that could impose the build under permitted development.
In the interim, I have started my own project. Friday I ordered 20 (2.4m x 250 x 125) railway sleepers. I also have 2 ton of compost arriving today. The plan is to build a retaining wall and landscape the top end of the garden. We are also moving the fence moving back to our boundary.
The top end has always been dead space - on completion we will be looking out from the bi-fold.
Step 1. Turn these
And this area i have started
Into
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Soldato
Having soil sitting against your walls above damp course looks a bit dodgy?
Soldato
Ask your builder, but I imagine if you both run sleepers beside the wall, plus put weed proof fabric/polyethylene sheeting/bin bag type material on the internals to that side of sleepers to stop the moisture running into wall cavity.
How much did your sleepers cost?
How much did your sleepers cost?
I have ordered 8x4 treated timber planks. I will be making a frame around the inside area. No soil will be touching the exterior wall. I will also be doing the same across the fence.
For drainage system, I plan to run some perforated pipe buried behind the sleepers. This is what youtube shows
. The builders will also be onsite so I'll be asking him to check my work. As for cost - 20 sleepers with delivery come to £597.00, with everything I think I'll be looking at £950-1000 as I need fittings, timber frame, soil etc
Day one complete 15 sleepers used. 5 sleepers high gradually declining to 3. I have 5 left for when the fence gets taken down tomorrow. Looks like i am going need a LOT more. 
The top end "should" look nice when finished. 3 ton of soil and half a forest of plants soon to be delivered. The builder did say, we do not need any drainage behind the wall. It's sufficient.~
There will also be a tanalised frame built with 8x4 against the house and across the back fence to avoid any soil touching the exterior walls.
The top end "should" look nice when finished. 3 ton of soil and half a forest of plants soon to be delivered. The builder did say, we do not need any drainage behind the wall. It's sufficient.~
There will also be a tanalised frame built with 8x4 against the house and across the back fence to avoid any soil touching the exterior walls.
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what was the sleeper bed then (which youtube) .. is there any fall on the sleepers to promote drainage off their top too ?
the 5->3 looks good, must have taken some planning with levels and the 'spirit level'/laser ... did you bed in a few bricks as guides ?
the 5->3 looks good, must have taken some planning with levels and the 'spirit level'/laser ... did you bed in a few bricks as guides ?
Soldato
Looks really good, I had my doubts when you were describing it earlier in the thread but shows what some decent planning can do. Out of interest what do you cut sleepers with? Id like to do something similar but only have a standard circular saw which would probably only go through half way and dont fancy cutting them by hand!
I viewed a few videos, however they all went quickly out the window. I had my father and grandfather lend a hand yesterday. My grandfather was an engineer and my father is a plant fitter so both are super competent when it comes to DIY. They both showed up and i basically lifted things up and put things down when they needed them
They used spirit levels to get everything spot on . I unable to take any real credit, i dug the hole and laid hardcore. I then used a compactor to get the levels
As my dad is a plant fitter, we basically had all the tools come out. They used a chainsaw, for miter joints we cut by hand
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Update: Framed around the house to avoid any soil touching both the back fence and house.
Moved two ton of soil into the frame ready for planing. I have put the patio plants on the topsoil as a temporary measure. I have lots of screening and small trees coming.
While i was doing this the builders started on the frame for the rest of the sleepers. The plan is for top soil to be level with the sleepers and put in some bedding plants.
When the cement is poured on Friday over the raft foundation, the grass can go back down and the planting can start. At the moment, its a mess, however it should start to come together.
Moved two ton of soil into the frame ready for planing. I have put the patio plants on the topsoil as a temporary measure. I have lots of screening and small trees coming.
While i was doing this the builders started on the frame for the rest of the sleepers. The plan is for top soil to be level with the sleepers and put in some bedding plants.
When the cement is poured on Friday over the raft foundation, the grass can go back down and the planting can start. At the moment, its a mess, however it should start to come together.
Soldato
Where in South Wales are you Kai?
Liking the progress so far but as others have said it's seems a lot of money for such a small gain. Waiting to be proved wrong.
Liking the progress so far but as others have said it's seems a lot of money for such a small gain. Waiting to be proved wrong.
Soldato
- Joined
- 1 Jul 2007
- Posts
- 5,392
I know it's all different but how much did that cost you? Looking at similar size.
Soldato
Looking to be around 32k.
But that's with a downstairs loo added under stairs and a door moving etc. Ours is an orangery with a lantern roof.
HELP! i need advice. I have been away for a few days. I am a little concerned how much the build differs from the plans but also -
I am certainly no builder, but could i check with people on here. Is this correct? The internal steel frame has been bolted down onto a single breeze block each side then bolted into the wall.
I am also not sure how much can a builder change the design, building control have the plans but i have come home to find its been done all in timber frame (internal). The plans dont mention anything about timber frame:
I am certainly no builder, but could i check with people on here. Is this correct? The internal steel frame has been bolted down onto a single breeze block each side then bolted into the wall.
I am also not sure how much can a builder change the design, building control have the plans but i have come home to find its been done all in timber frame (internal). The plans dont mention anything about timber frame: