One of the first things homeowners usually want to know before starting foundation work is how long the job is actually going to take. There is no single answer because foundations vary considerably depending on the size of the structure, ground conditions, access and the type of foundation being installed.
After many years carrying out groundwork and concrete foundation work, I've found that the concrete itself is rarely the part that determines the timescale. It is the preparation beforehand that usually takes the time. Excavation, getting the levels right, dealing with poor ground, installing reinforcement and arranging the concrete pour all have to be done properly.
For homeowners in Barking, here is how the job is generally broken down and what you can realistically expect.
A straightforward domestic foundation installation can often be completed in a few days, but larger or more complicated work can take considerably longer. A small foundation with good access and suitable ground may be excavated, prepared and poured relatively quickly.
A larger extension foundation, garage foundation or project involving difficult ground can take a week or more once all the stages are considered. The important thing is not to judge the job simply by how quickly concrete can be poured.
A typical sequence might look something like this:
Some of these stages can happen on the same day. Others depend on the site and the requirements of the particular structure.
This is something homeowners don't always appreciate when looking at a foundation job. You might see a concrete foundation being poured and think the job is nearly all about getting the concrete in. In reality, a lot of the important work happens before the concrete arrives.
The ground needs to be excavated to the correct dimensions and levels. We then need to see what the ground is actually like rather than simply assuming it will be the same all the way through.
Old garden structures, previous extensions, buried rubble, made-up ground and changes in soil can all affect the work. If something unexpected is found, it is better to deal with it at that stage than cover it with concrete and discover the problem later.
This is particularly relevant around older properties in Barking where gardens and extensions may have been altered several times over the years.
It can. Ground conditions are one of the biggest variables when estimating how long concrete foundation work will take.
Clay soil can change considerably depending on moisture conditions. Wet ground can become difficult to work with, while prolonged dry periods can cause clay to shrink. The depth and construction of a foundation therefore needs to be considered in relation to the actual site conditions and the proposed structure.
In my experience, rushing groundwork because somebody has promised to finish a foundation in a certain number of days is a mistake. If the excavation needs additional attention, that time is part of doing the job correctly.
For work involving structural foundations, the appropriate requirements should also be established before construction starts. Homeowners can refer to the relevant UK government Approved Documents for building regulations guidance.
Access is another thing that can make a surprisingly large difference.
A property with a wide side entrance where machinery and materials can be brought directly into the garden is very different from a terraced property where everything has to come through a narrow passage.
Restricted access can affect excavation, removal of spoil, delivery of materials and the movement of concrete. Sometimes smaller machinery is required, while other sites need a carefully planned concrete delivery arrangement.
I've worked on plenty of properties where the actual foundation was straightforward but getting everything in and out of the garden was the difficult part. That is why access should be assessed before anybody gives you a firm timescale.
Once the excavation and preparation are complete, the actual concrete pour can be relatively quick compared with the groundwork that came before it.
The duration depends mainly on the volume of concrete required, access for the delivery vehicle, whether pumping or other delivery arrangements are needed, and how the concrete needs to be placed and finished.
The important thing is that everything should be ready before the concrete arrives. You don't want the concrete lorry sitting outside while the foundation is still being prepared.
Once poured, the concrete also needs time to gain strength. Being able to walk near a newly poured foundation is not the same as the concrete being ready to carry the full intended load of a structure.
Most delays I've seen over the years come from practical site issues rather than the concrete itself.
None of these automatically means there is a problem with the contractor. Groundwork is one of those jobs where you can investigate a site properly and still find something unexpected once you start digging.
Not necessarily. In fact, I'd be more concerned about somebody rushing a foundation purely to meet an arbitrary deadline.
A good foundation job is about getting the excavation, levels, ground preparation, reinforcement and concrete installation right. If additional work is genuinely needed because the ground isn't what was expected, it is better to understand why the work is taking longer.
What matters is clear communication. A contractor should be able to explain what has been found, what needs doing and how it affects the remaining work.
This depends on the concrete specification, the foundation design, the structure being constructed and the advice provided for the particular project. Concrete does not simply become fully suitable for loading immediately after it has been poured.
The curing period is therefore something that needs to be considered when planning the whole project. The foundation may be physically complete, but the next stage of construction should only proceed when the concrete has achieved the required strength and the project requirements allow it.
This is another reason why a foundation project should be planned as a complete sequence rather than simply asking how many hours the concrete pour will take.
So, how long do concrete foundations take to install? For a straightforward residential project with good access and suitable ground, the physical installation can often be completed within a few working days. Larger foundations, difficult access, poor ground or additional structural requirements can extend this considerably.
The sensible way to estimate the job is to look at the whole process rather than just the concrete pour. Site access, excavation, ground conditions, foundation dimensions, reinforcement, concrete delivery and curing all need to be taken into account.
After decades of seeing foundations installed in all sorts of conditions, the main advice I'd give any homeowner is simple: don't choose a foundation contractor solely because they promise the quickest completion. The groundwork underneath the finished structure is not somewhere you want corners cut.
If you're planning a foundation for an extension, garage, outbuilding or another structure in Barking, the installation time will depend on the size of the project, ground conditions and access to the property.
If you're unsure what is involved or how long your particular foundation project is likely to take, you can discuss the site requirements and installation process before deciding how to proceed.
Discuss Your Concrete Foundation Project