I asked the builder for their opinion on the build and the proximity to a very large oak tree in the garden that backs onto ours. The builder agreed with me that it looked like it would cause a problem for standard foundations and sought the advice of a building inspector. The building inspector confirmed that he would very probably need the extension to have piling rather than standard foundations. This was obviously not great news as the cost of piling is high and it feels like pouring money into a hole in the ground, but if that is the reality then that’s what needs to be done.
We pointed out our oak neighbour and asked the structural engineer to take this into account when he came to do the site survey and put together the foundation plans. This meeting had been delayed by our household’s second bout of Covid which meant that we were in isolation when the meeting had first been due to take place, but a week later than planned, Neil met with the structural engineer who had told us he would be able to provide the calculations at the beginning of February. We finally got draft calculations back at the start of March which didn’t take into account the oak tree at all but rather suggested that the foundations must be at least 1m deep. After much chasing for more information and clarification on the foundations, the structural engineer suggested that we have a site investigation carried out. This further delayed things although once the site investigation consultant verbally confirmed that piling was required we were able to get things moving with a design and quote from the recommended piling company. The structural engineer continued to cause no end of frustration by not providing the finalised calculations and structural plans, and then by trying to insist we must use him to prepare the next set of piling designs rather than the alternative structural engineers used by the piling company. It was a relief when all was agreed and we could put that part of the process behind us as by this stage the builders had already started on site!
