Do foundations need to be checked If you want to know how your DIY projects could be affected by building and planning regulations, click here to post questions and view answers

[mahonia]

Hi

Do you need to have your foundations checked before you can go ahead with a loft conversion? We are putting a full plans submission into building control via a structural engineer and he has not said anything.

Do building control ask to see the foundations if they are unsure that the house can take the additional load?

M

[thedoctor]

Sometimes an exploration hole may be necessary down the side of an existing wall to check foundations but usually the load in the new roof is spread by the use of new timbers or steels to make it even over the property and the existing foundations are usually enough for this. See our project on foundations to understand how they work.

[mahonia]

Hi

Thanks very much for that. The structural engineer said that doing a hip to gable conversion actually takes stress off the flank wall. He also said that the load would be more evenly distributed than at present via steels etc so glad to hear you think the same...

We are replacing the entire roof at the same time. We currently have very heavy (porous) concrete tiles but will replace with plastic and this could remove two thirds of roof tile weight. We are also having our chimney stacks (at roof height) removed. All of this should help minimise the load of the loft.

Trial holes were done 9 years ago at one corner of the house when a tree root caused minor problems. The paperwork suggest that the foundations are only 220 mm in depth. Does that sound about right for a Victorian property?

Best

M

[hayley]

Hi,
We have been cosidering the same .
We have had the chimney removed this week and have been wondering if its cheaper to go up rather than out like yourself.
Is this an expensive job to have done ??? We have a 3 bed bungalow but the bedrooms etc are quite small so could do with the extra room,it seem a waste to build on the side when theres a loft doing nothing
I would appreciate your coments as it would help us decide if we should look into this option further

[bd3cc]

The Building inspector will generally only ask for an inspection hole if the surveyor adds a caveat that an inspection of the footings is required.