Any builders in?

[monkeymark]

Thinking about a conservatory, but I'd have to do the majority myself to afford it.

My question is, whats involved in doing the foundations? Any tips in general?

Cheers, Mark

 

[Shedendman]

Do it the right way and get some plans made up,many a DIY thing like conservatries done have all gone breast upwards along the lines

 

[BrokenBiker]

my grandmother conservatory needs pulling down as the foundations are crap and things are starting to shift about a bit

 

[cumbriasteve]

Foundations are fairly easy to do right and even easier to do wrong.

Many get the shape wrong and pour into a dig that has a rounded base, this can allow the founds to rock, the base should be flat and the walls at right angles to it.

Don't skimp to save a few bob, the thickness depends a lot on what is exposed at the base, clay or subsoil, a bit extra always beats a bit less.

Readymix is better than self mixing, it's more consistent and allows the pour to be done in one go.

Don't throw the mix down into the founds, shovel it in or you may end up with different areas of compaction.

 

[mike os]

lots of potential pitfalls going diy

I always recommend going full scale on foundations... than means at least 1m deep, and 600 wide with at least 250mm concrete.... trench fill is better but may not be possible if there are drains or services present. Founds must go below any drains, and then the drains encased in concrete.

use foundation blocks, they are cheap and fast, to 2 bricks below finished ground level

 

[CompoSimmonite]

This is a metalworking forums so why not go metal
This is the route I'm taking thus avoiding alterations to drains.
http://www.conservatorybasecompany.co.uk/Durabase/Assembly-How-Tos.aspx

 

[brightspark]

any drains that run under the founds need bridging with a lintell across and packed round with pea gravel or simlar to allow for movement and settlement without damaging the pipes

 

[BrokenBiker]

this is an easy one. Get a builder out for a quote, then when he quotes for the foundations ask what's involved...

 

[brightspark]

this is an easy one. Get a builder out for a quote, then when he quotes for the foundations ask what's involved...

he may do what i do . il tell u if or when i get the job not before ive been had like that before

 

[BrokenBiker]

he may do what i do . il tell u if or when i get the job not before ive been had like that before

it was meant as more of a joke than sound advice. I get people ask what is involved, I tell em hard work and some tools not everyone has

 

[Bobtail4x4]

dont bother with a conservatory, most people find they can only use them a few months in spring, and a few in autumn, as they ar too hot or too cold,

a decent roof and less glass will be able to be used all year, for not much more.

 

[brightspark]

dont bother with a conservatory, most people find they can only use them a few months in spring, and a few in autumn, as they ar too hot or too cold,

a decent roof and less glass will be able to be used all year, for not much more.

half brick half glass with a pitched tiled roof would be my choice as an all plastic one goes shabby and worthless after 8 years.an all plastic one requires a aircon unit fitted otherwise there a hot house

 

[BrokenBiker]

half brick half glass with a pitched tiled roof would be my choice as an all plastic one goes shabby and worthless after 8 years.an all plastic one requires a aircon unit fitted otherwise there a hot house

at what point do you need planning? I know the plastic ones are classed as temp buildings so no planning, do you need planning for half brick half glass? I'm.sure I heard if the brick is a certain height its classed as an extension?

 

[mike os]

if its got a solid roof it needs building regs, planning will depends on a lot of variables... best look on planning portal for details

 

[brightspark]

its no good askin me id just build it the same as the utility room and bog i put on house 12 years ago without permission

 

[BrokenBiker]

its no good askin me id just build it the same as the utility room and bog i put on house 12 years ago without permission

that's what my nan did. Shame it needs to come down now. She is looking to sell the house so I've told her she may as well leave it off and advertise the bigger garden.

 

[Bobtail4x4]

if its got a solid roof it needs building regs, planning will depends on a lot of variables... best look on planning portal for details

but you are not building an extension, its a porch isnt it? wink,

 

[BrokenBiker]

if its got a solid roof it needs building regs, planning will depends on a lot of variables... best look on planning portal for details

but you are not building an extension, its a porch isnt it? wink,

its just a conservatory made from breeze block effect upvc haha

 

[Wendelspanswick]

With Permitted Development you can build a large extension or conservatory without Planning Permission but unless its tiny you will need Building Regs.
As Mike OS said, check the Planning Portal.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/
Had a quick look and current regs are you can build out 6m from the back of your attached house and 8m from a detached, 4m high.

 

[mike os]

if its got a solid roof it needs building regs, planning will depends on a lot of variables... best look on planning portal for details

but you are not building an extension, its a porch isnt it? wink,

very restricted on size for porches its changed recently , think its 3x2m external max