We install strip foundations for heavier garden buildings where the structure needs a properly prepared foundation rather than simply sitting on an existing surface.
Our approach starts underneath the concrete. We excavate, deal with uneven or previously disturbed ground, prepare the foundation correctly and organise the concrete installation around the actual site and available garden access.
A strip foundation provides a continuous foundation beneath the load-bearing parts of a structure. We install them where the planned building needs a more substantial foundation arrangement than a straightforward slab can provide.
This can be particularly useful when you are preparing for a heavier garden building, workshop, garden office, cabin or similar structure and the existing ground is uneven or has previously been disturbed.
The important part of the job is not just putting concrete into an excavated trench. We look at what is underneath, how the foundation needs to sit on the ground and how the finished structure will transfer its load into the foundation.
We commonly discuss strip foundations with homeowners who are planning a heavier garden structure and want the foundation planned around the building rather than simply choosing a standard concrete slab.
A substantial timber building, cabin, workshop or garden office can place considerably more load onto its supporting points. A strip foundation can provide continuous support beneath the relevant walls or load-bearing areas.
If the proposed building is going into an area where an old shed, patio, path or other structure has previously been removed, we check what remains underneath before deciding how to prepare the foundation.
Where the garden falls or the existing surface changes level, we plan the excavation and foundation around the actual ground rather than trying to make the structure work from an unsuitable surface.
For larger garden structures, getting the foundation right at the beginning makes the later installation much easier. We work from the proposed footprint and foundation requirements rather than treating the concrete as an afterthought.
Book A Site VisitThere are several practical points we deal with before excavation begins. These affect how the job is set out, how much material needs removing and how the concrete will eventually reach the foundation.
We look for soft spots, filled areas, previous excavation, old paving and other signs that the ground has been disturbed. Unsuitable material needs to be dealt with rather than left beneath the new foundation.
A garden does not always provide a naturally level working area. We establish the required levels and account for the existing fall so the foundation and finished structure are positioned correctly.
Water needs to be considered during the preparation. We look at existing drainage arrangements, surrounding ground levels and how surface water will behave around the finished structure rather than creating a foundation that interferes with the existing fall.
Standard garden access still needs planning. The route for excavation spoil, aggregate, reinforcement and concrete is considered before work starts. If the route includes a side passage, steps or a narrower section, we organise the installation around it.
We need to know what the foundation is being prepared for. The footprint, wall positions, expected loading and foundation arrangement all influence how the work is set out.
We keep the installation organised from the first setting-out measurement through to the concrete pour. The exact dimensions and preparation depend on the proposed structure and the conditions found on site.
We look at the proposed position, the structure going above the foundation, the existing ground and the route available for materials and equipment. This gives us a practical understanding of what the installation will involve before excavation starts.
The foundation lines are marked out to suit the proposed building. We check the dimensions, alignment and levels before excavation begins.
The foundation trenches are excavated through the existing ground to create the required foundation profile. Previously disturbed or unsuitable material is dealt with rather than simply left underneath the new work.
The trench bottoms and surrounding preparation are checked before the concrete is placed. Where the project requires additional granular preparation, suitable material is placed and compacted correctly rather than relying on loose fill.
Where the foundation design or project requirements call for reinforcement, it is positioned correctly before the concrete is placed. Reinforcement is treated as part of the foundation installation rather than added as an afterthought.
Concrete is ordered and delivered according to the prepared quantities. We place it into the foundation trenches, working around the site access and keeping the pour organised.
The foundation is brought to the required level and finished ready for the next stage of the building work. We check the completed installation rather than simply leaving once the concrete has been placed.
A strip foundation is there to support the structure above it, so the foundation needs to be considered before the building is delivered. We work from the proposed footprint and supporting arrangement rather than installing a generic foundation and hoping it suits the finished building.
This is particularly important with heavier garden buildings where the supporting walls or structural points need to sit consistently on the prepared foundation.
Getting the foundation positioned correctly also makes the next stage of the project easier. The building installer should not be left trying to compensate for poor setting out, inconsistent levels or movement underneath the structure.
The most common concern is not the concrete itself. It is what has been left underneath it.
If loose fill, soft material or poorly compacted ground remains below the supporting area, sections can settle after the building has been installed. The heavier the structure, the more important proper preparation becomes.
Movement underneath a foundation can leave the structure out of level. This can affect floors, doors, windows and the way the building sits on its supports.
Poor ground conditions combined with inadequate preparation can contribute to movement and cracking. We aim to address the ground conditions before they become a problem rather than trying to repair the symptoms later.
Changing ground levels without considering how water moves can create standing water or direct surface water towards areas where it should not collect. We consider falls and existing drainage as part of the site preparation.
Milton Keynes properties can have very different garden layouts. Some provide a straightforward route into the rear garden, while others have side passages, steps, raised sections, fencing or existing landscaping that needs to be worked around.
We plan the installation around the access that is actually available. Excavation spoil needs somewhere to go, aggregates need to reach the work area and the concrete delivery needs to be coordinated with the prepared foundation.
Where standard garden access is available, we organise the job so materials and equipment can be moved through the property without unnecessary disruption. If there is a particular access constraint, we deal with it during the site assessment rather than discovering it when the concrete is already booked.