Hi all,

I am about to embark on building a small extension, of size 1.5m x
3.5m, sited on an existing concrete driveway. I've never done
foundations before, and have heard that it is very hard work, so I
wondered about getting someone in to dig and fill the foundations, and
install a new rainwater gulley. I've had three quotes, £2100 (but
only as part of a build-the-entire-extension quote which I didn't
want), £2700, and £2900 (all inc VAT). They're roughly comparable so I
guess they are probably fair prices, but they are higher than I'd
anticipated when I first did the costings for the extension a year or
so ago. Have prices gone up a lot recently?

To keep costs down, I am thinking about doing it myself, but I'm
trying to work out whether it is worth the hassle. I think I've got
the rough idea of what needs to be done, but a few questions arise:

- If I cut out the perimeter with a concrete saw, are gas/water
services deep enough to avoid being cut, or must I locate them
precisely first? I know where they are already to about +/- 30cm.
- I will use a powered breaker to smash up the concrete in the centre,
taking care to avoid damaging the services. Is a mini/micro-digger
useful, or more hassle than its worth for a small site? Maybe a self-
propelled skip loader is a useful compromise?
- Will the BC surveyor want to see a test hole already dug right down
to 1m, or will they hang around and watch a test hole being dug until
they're happy it's deep enough?
- If I bought in ready-mixed concrete, will the operators level it out
for me, or would that be my job?
- Any other tips, or recommendations for making the job easier?

I'm sure other questions will arise as I think about this more :-)

thanks,

dan.




, but are the savings really worth the effort?

thanks,

dan.