Removing foundations

fishfoodie

I think this is only slightly off-topic, but if the Mods disagree I apologise.

I've also been looking at a couple of sites where work never progressed beyond the foundations, but I'd assumed these would have to be torn out.

How many days worth of excavator time would it take to remove a strip or raft for a typical 1500sqr ft bungalow ?? Just so I can guesstimate a cost.

muffler

Just to keep things tidy I have moved the post above from another thread where it was a bit off topic.

sinnerboy

I would think 2-3 days to grub up and skip a strip. A raft - perhaps 5 days - more concrete + reinforcement.

fishfoodie

Cheers folks !

RKQ

A standard strip foundation should have been inspected prior to pour. Certificates may exist for them - from the Mortgage Certifier - might be worth looking into as they could be saved if fully certified. (Assuming you want to build the same 1500sqft bungalow)

Raft foundation would have been designed by an Engineer, trace him / her and discuss certifying same to avoid removal - assuming you wish the build the previous owners design. A raft would have a considerable amount of steel reinforcing bars in it, making it a time consuming job to remove.

Poor Uncle Tom

RKQ wrote: »

A standard strip foundation should have been inspected prior to pour. Certificates may exist for them - from the Mortgage Certifier - might be worth looking into as they could be saved if fully certified. (Assuming you want to build the same 1500sqft bungalow)

Raft foundation would have been designed by an Engineer, trace him / her and discuss certifying same to avoid removal - assuming you wish the build the previous owners design. A raft would have a considerable amount of steel reinforcing bars in it, making it a time consuming job to remove.

+1

Also the amount of time the foundations are in place can only add to their curing and strength. Their settlement may even be completed.

sydthebeat

plus, if theres a raft foundation, it may be prudent and cost effective to design a dwelling based on its footprint. There is certain scope for free design within the envelope which you wouldnt have with a strip foundation.

personally, if it was me and i had the space, id leave the foundation where it is and position the dwelling elsewhere on the site of possible. If this is on a rural site with free areas around, purchasing a few extra sq meters off the landowner wont break the bank.

the existing foundations could be used for a garage / store etc in the future

fishfoodie

Thanks for the other thoughts folks.

My current thoughts are around a near-passive timberframe bungalow of ~1500, sqft, so I suppose an existing raft could be adapted. It might be necessary to do some adjustments to use any pipework in the raft.

I suppose the key is that there are always options & not to rush into anything without exploring them, cause you could save a lot of money