Leelou

A productive few days at the bungalow with two visits from a very friendly building control officer. After digging four trial pits and having them inspected we now have a much better idea of where we stand and what extra is going to be needed. We've now engaged an architect, have relayed the feedback from the officer and are waiting for a quote. Thanks for your advice!

Thanks all, it makes sense now. Regardless of the build options, we need to see what's under there and that means digging a pit. I've already contacted the local building control officer and am waiting a reply.

Evening all, I've been talking to a friend this evening who is a retired developer. He was of the opinion that it didn't matter if the existing footings were suitable or not as concrete pillars could be built within the existing structure to support a second storey, including the potential use of RSJ's. Whilst taking his opinion with a pinch of salt, what is the benefit of digging a pit to inspect the footings given the above? Thanks

Thanks for the replies everyone, its been a great help to get us started.

Yes they are. In regards to footings, we plan to lift the concrete slabs in the garden which are directly at the back of the house. Could we begin to dig to expose the existing footings to get an idea of what they're like, presuming this will help any survey as well as save on having to get a mini digger in?

Thanks everyone, what a great community. The bungalow is in Barnstaple and is a 1930's build, made from block. I've not come across screw piles so will get reading, thanks for that advice. We've not considered demolish and rebuild as we think it might blow the budget but that all depends on the footings, we'll have to wait and see ?

Thanks everyone for the prompt advice! To answer a few points, we're not living in the property whilst the build takes place as we knew it's a roof off job and with three children, it's not a great environment to live in. We've met one set of neighbours who are very nice but we didn't want to dive straight in with the building work topic and scare them off. The reason for asking my initial question is that if we find it's not cost effective to improve the footings, we'll just make do with the bungalow and expand on the single floor. Not ideal but more of a "make do" approach and in which case we wouldn't engage an architect. I've also already done some digging on the internet and have found the historic planning applications and the architects the neighbours used. At this stage I'm still unsure, architect or structural engineer first given the above... ?

Thanks ? No plans etc done as yet as we only picked up the keys a week ago. We've done our own drawings by plan to give the architect an idea of what we'd like to achieve but at the moment we're unsure whether to engage them now or after getting a survey done by a structural engineer to find out if/what work needs doing to the footings etc. I've created a separate post in the foundations section for it (hope that's the right place).

Hi all, We are just starting out with the goal of adding a second storey to our newly purchased bungalow. Both neighbours have already gone up a floor and our bungalow has stairs with a dormer in the roof already. We want to take the roof off and build an additional floor but before doing so, need to find out what the existing structure and footings can take. Do we engage a structural engineer, dig some holes and find out before engaging an architect? Thanks

Hi everyone, just joined the forum and wanted to say hi. We've just bought a bungalow in North Devon and are hoping to add a storey to make it a great family home that we've needed for so long. This will be our first project of this kind and I'll no doubt be looking to the forums for advice on many occasions.