plans for existing extension

markarman

hi everyone,

we are just about to sign contracts on a new house. there is a rear extension and we have all the planning permissions etc etc

but...........................

my question is.....

where should i look to find out if the existing extension has foundations for a 2 storey extension. its is single storey and we are wondering if in some time in the future we could build an extra bedroom on the top.

the lady who is selling us the house doesn't have plans or even know who built the original extension.

bit of a long shot but any views/suggestions you may have would be gratefully received

many thanks

markarman.

Gumbo

for starters you wouldnt be able to know for sure if the foundations were designed for a 2 storey by simply looking at the plans as it may have been constructed differently.

my next idea would be to talk to the owner, but as you said they dont know, after that the original builder but again theey are long gone and forgotton.

i would recommend contacting an engineering firm and they will organise to have the existing foundations inspected by digging the area around them to try and figure out the width and depth and the condition of the existing founds.

also a point to note, if it was a recent build we usually design single story extensions in the same way as 2 storey for domestic applications.

but your right in trying to find out before you go ahead and build.

Supertech

Nothing will tell you what the foundations are like except opening them up markarman. Highly unlikely anyone would do specific foundation drawings for a domestic extension, and even if they did exist there's no guarantee that what's on them is what's built.The only way to be sure is open up inspection holes in a few locations around the extension and drill into concrete where found to ascertain depth. I'd suggest the owners might have an issue with this. The foundations are only part of the issue anyway, you'll need to look at wall construction aswell and again opening up is really the only way there too. My guess would be deal with the problem if and when the extension goes ahead unless the extension being a non runner is a deal breaker.

muffler

Check out the details that were submitted in the commencement notice. That may get you the name of the builder and supervisor.

FOXFISH1

there may be the option of using timber frame construction for the first floor extension...but i expect this would be more complicated, though it would be less weight on the existing foundations