There are many things that come into building a large structure or home, and this process is often a long and complex one. Though we understand that whether you are building a new office space or a new home, you will care deeply about how it turns out. So, this will require you to ensure that every aspect of the building process is covered. There are many things that you should be aware of when it comes to this, but there is no doubt that groundworks are one of the most important factors. So, in this blog, we are going to run through the key things which you need to consider when choosing your contractor.
The fact is that the groundwork of the structure is one of the first things that you will do in the building project. After all, you cannot build any of the building’s frames without a secure and accurate foundation. Foundations are critical to the strength of a building, which makes the groundwork of a building critical to both its success in the building process and its overall safety. So, keep reading this blog to find out more about this sector and how to choose a reliable and efficient groundwork professional.
How foundations work
For thousands of years, we have built foundations beneath our homes and other buildings to ensure they are safe and can withstand the kind of pressures and forces which the earth is capable of. After all, safety is one of the most important aspects of a building project. So, how does a foundation actually secure a building? Essentially, foundations are designed to spread the load of the building across the entire footprint of the structure. This will make the building far more balanced. Though there are a few different types of foundations. So, what are the most popular types and how do they work?
There are two main types of foundations, and they are usually used for very different building types. First, there are shallow foundations and, as you might expect, these are used for lighter buildings as you don’t quite have the same amount of strength and the other form. Deep foundations are used for larger, more industrial buildings and create an incredibly strong base for taller, heavier structures. In the shallow category, you will find isolated spread floating, wall footing, combined footing, and raft foundations. While the deep category contains pile, pier and caisson foundations. So, what should you look out for in a groundworks contractor if you need to build your own foundations?
Experienced
The fact is that groundwork is an extremely important part of building a house and a lot of things ride on the success of this part of the project. Put it this way: without a strong and reliable foundation, you will run the risk of serious damage to your property later down the line. So, to combat this, the best thing to do is hire a reliable and efficient groundwork team to carry out the work. Experienced professionals will be able to handle issues that come up during the process and complete the work to current building standards. So, make sure they are highly experienced in this field.
Reputation
When it comes to construction work, a good reputation can mean an awful lot. After all, when people have work completed that they feel is sub-standard, they often speak out about these issues fairly publicly and it’s very easy for people to pick up poor reputations. So, when you come across a company that has a great reputation, it usually means great things for the firm and you would be wise to use them for your work. Here at RKC Contractors Ltd we have a brilliant reputation and have helped many people of the years to create the perfect groundwork for their projects.
Quality equipment
Groundwork, while it may seem fairly simple, is actually a complicated and technical process. In fact, you often need a whole host of highly technical equipment to complete the work to the standard which are set in the UK. Therefore, when you are deciding which company is the right one for you, make sure you research what equipment they have at their disposal. After all, the last thing you want is increased costs thanks to a lack of proficient equipment. A good place to start is picking up the phone to a few companies and finding out what they offer.
Health and safety
There is no question that this kind of work is extremely dangerous. After all, there is large machinery involved and huge weights of soil and rubble. So, at times accidents do happen. First of all, you should ensure that the company you choose has the right amount of training to complete this kind of work, including first aid and health and safety training. This will reduce the chance of an accident on your site and make sure that everyone is safe at all times. Health and safety issues can result in legal challenges if the right qualifications are not provided, so this area is vital.
Friendly
The fact is that you need the company you work with to be friendly for a few very important reasons. Of course, we’re not expecting you to become best friends with your contractors. Though you will need to build up a healthy and constructive working relationship with them. Take it this way, if there are any issues during the project, then you should be able to have a sensible and productive discussion about these so you can come up with a solution. Problem solving is all about collaboration and collaboration needs effective communication to work. So, make sure the team you choose are approachable.
Understand your requirements
Your project will most likely have a range of specific requirements and these should be met to ensure the success of the building work. Your contractor should be able to deliver on these requirements to ensure that you get the finished product that you are after. Let’s say the building you are producing is placed on a particularly challenging plot of land. If you have worked out the drawings and collaborated with an engineer, then your contractor should have the ability to meet these requirements and ensure that your project reaches completion. So, have a word with your contractor before to ensure that they can match your ambition.
Work directly, no outside contractors
Working directly with you will ensure that your project receives the attention and care that it doubtless deserves. After all, if you work without any contractors and directly with a specialist company, you will receive a far more personal service and they can understand your project far better. Perhaps you have a particularly challenging project on the go and need communication with your professional to ensure the quality of the final product. If you work directly with professionals, then you will ensure that you receive this kind of communication.
Local
Building work can often continue for a period of weeks and you need the companies and professionals that you choose to be contactable and reliable. So, in order to achieve this, we would highly recommend choosing a local company to ensure that you can maintain a fair amount of dialogue throughout the entire project. So, make sure you choose a team that is fairly local to you. Doubtless, there will be a wide variety to choose from, so make sure they tick all of the boxes that we have mentioned. After all, the success of your project depends on a reliable and efficient team.
If you need a contractor that will work closely with you to ensure that your groundwork is completed to the highest standard, then here at RKC Contractors Ltd, we can help. We have many years of experience in the industry and can certainly help you to deliver a project of the highest standard. Our staff are passionate about groundwork and have a great deal of training in the subject. So, if you would like to get some advice on groundwork or you would like to inquire about our services, then contact us today.
