Piles

As I may have mentioned, one of my Sunday cycling crew is in a similar situation to me. His builder started digging for the foundations of an extension, concluded that the ground was not as anticipated and called for a review. Now, by a strange coincidence, he is using the same Structural Engineer partnership - but the other partner.

They were put in touch with a piling company who came and saw the site and concluded that a set of mini piles would do the job. To be sure they also paid a local firm of geological surveyors to make some test holes.

We are now being urged down the same route. My friend and his wife were impressed with the piling company, so we have opted to go with them too. Jan made contact today, and the person we need to speak to is out until Wednesday. However, the front-of-office staff were confident a site visit could be arranged for next Thursday or Friday. Whether or not we too need test bores is up for debate. Given that a 5m hole has already been dug, twice, and filled in, perhaps we know the ground conditions already ?

The Groundwork Contractor has now been forced to move on to other work. His nice 7.3 Tonne digger is now making a car park in a neighbouring town and all we are left with is a portable toilet and a rusty wheelbarrow !