Digging foundations by hand

[OneArepa]

Looking at buying a semi-d with the intention to extend at the back - would be double storey for two thirds of the width and single storey for the remaining third. Problem is the house has no side access at all and neither do either of the neighbours so can’t consider whether they might be bribed to help. For the sake of argument, say 3m projection from existing building and 7m width total (4m/2.5m split for the double/single).

DH is grim about the additional cost aspect of the foundations being hand dug. What sort of absolutely ballpark figures are we looking at, or even just rough % increase on using a digger? We’re in the midlands (just south of west mids).

Obviously everything else would also have to barrow through the house, which would be fine in itself as we’d do those bits up afterwards.

[OneArepa]

Sorry for being so late coming back to this. What a trove of help and inspiration - thank you very much. Diyextension, really good of you to share all those pics and details. Kudos for doing it yourself - think we’d still be paying labourers (couldn’t get enough time off work given how much else easier that needs doing at the same time).

[SkankingWombat]

As others have said, some builders will choose to dig by hand regardless of what access is like. The firm I did my apprenticeship with (not in ground works!) did it. It's much tidier, less prone to disasters with unexpected buried cables and pipes, and never took long. Mini digger hire isn't cheap, and when you add in the additional damage to the garden that the builder will have to rectify at the end, I suspect there is little difference between the methods cost-wise.

[CleopatrasBeautifulNose]

@Loveholidaystoomuch

These posts are reassuring!

Can me and OH do this? Do our founds completely on our own?

Course you can. Builders are just people. 😁 Provided you aren't completely devoid of common sense you'll be fine.

[Stripedbag101]

Just make sure you involve building control and follow the plans. The last thing you want is them not being completely straight or slightly in the wrong place😂.

[johnd2]

We had 11 linear metres of 1000dx600w foundations and perfect rear access, the driveway went all the way round.
The builders got out the shovels, 4 of them.
Monday and Tuesday was clear the conservatory and patio, wed and Thursday dig out to depth and barrow the sand near to the trench, and Friday was mix and place the concrete using one of those builders belle mixers.
Couldn't believe how quick it was, on 150 odd a day each for laborers and a foreman perhaps it was the cheapest way

[Crazykatie]

That sounds a big extension with 1metre foundations, you are going to need planning permission and building regs.
Craning it in is massive, I’ve seen it done, digger in, soil out, digger out, concrete for foundations in. While it’s there you can get most of the other building materials in, cost probably £5k extra

Had you thought of adding a conservatory instead.

[Stripedbag101]

i wouldn’t substitute a conservatory for a proper extension.

I know some people love them but my experience is they are hard to heat, really noisy in the rain and don’t add value to your home.