Trees are also a common reason that sites are ‘flopped’ because the proposed foundation solutions prove too expensive to continue. We take the time to identify the soil conditions and determine the allowances that need to be made, whether the trees are being removed or are remaining in place. With this knowledge and understanding of the effects on the ground and foundations of the trees, both their presence or removal enables us to provide solutions for clients.

Basements are proving increasingly popular as land is a premium. Much more common in the United States and Australia, UK homes are increasingly looking to basements to add value to properties.

The importance of understanding the ground conditions and water tables can not be overestimated where basements are concerned. We have saved several projects where the engineers hadn’t taken the time to understand how ground conditions would change over time or understood the specialist requirements for water-proofing.

SWJ Consulting are experienced in complex extensions such as basements ensuring the correct investigations are completed early enough in the planning process to ensure long term success and working closely with client’s and architects to manage expectations and deliver a design that everyone is happy with.

As with basements, swimming pools are becoming increasingly popular but require experience to complete. We are designing a structure that can’t sink when full or float when empty. Again, understanding ground conditions and working with designers from the start of the project is imperative to avoid any problems later in the project.