Foundations
Foundation Contractors in Kent
A foundation is a response to the ground it sits in. Before we price or dig, we look at the soil, the water table, the trees nearby and what the structure above will weigh. We are foundation contractors in Kent, and Kent gives us plenty to think about.
The Weald is shrinkable clay that moves with the seasons. The Downs are chalk. Near the river valleys and the coast there are alluvial soils and a high water table, and former industrial and regeneration land often sits on made ground. Each of those points to a different foundation type, and a different depth.
We build strip and trench fill foundations for houses and extensions, pads for framed structures, and rafts where the load needs spreading over weaker ground. Where the bearing stratum sits deeper we use piled foundations with ground beams and pile caps, using our own piling and drilling capability. Near trees we allow for shrinkage and heave.
Work is set out to the engineer’s drawings and to Approved Document A, then left open for inspection before the concrete goes in.
How Does a Foundation Job Run on Site?
On new build and extension work the whole sequence stays with one team. We set out, excavate and support the trenches, fix any reinforcement, cast the concrete, then bring the oversite and drainage through. That matters more than it sounds. A trench that stands open through a week of rain, or gets trimmed by a different gang, is no longer the trench the engineer designed.
For commercial and industrial structures we work to the engineer’s scheme on pads and piles, ground beams, pile caps and reinforced slabs. We coordinate with the steel or frame programme so the holding-down bolts and levels end up where they should. Concrete grade, cover and reinforcement get checked before each section is cast, and we record levels as we go.
The wider groundworks either side of the foundation are handled by the same team. Every project runs to HSE guidance and CDM 2015 duties, with trench support and shoring to depth and underground services checked before we break ground. Spoil leaves through our sister waste company, so the dig and the muck away sit in one contract.
If a building has already moved, underpinning rather than new foundations is the work you need.
We Are Accredited
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Decide What Foundation a Site Needs?
It comes down to the ground and the load. We look at the soil type, the water table, how close the trees are and the weight of the structure, then build to the engineer’s design or tell you where one is needed. Shrinkable clay usually means deeper trench fill or piles. Weak or variable ground can point to a raft. A deeper bearing stratum means piles with ground beams.
How Deep Do Foundations Need to Be Near Trees?
Deeper than most people expect. Trees pull moisture out of clay, and the ground shrinks and swells as a result. The depth depends on the species, its mature height, how far it sits from the building and how shrinkable the clay is. On Weald clay we allow for that movement, and where it is needed we use compressible material and slip membranes so heave cannot act against the side of the foundation.
Do You Work With Structural Engineers and Building Control?
Routinely. Most foundation work is inspected at open-trench stage before any concrete goes in, so we programme the dig around the building control inspection. We build to the structural engineer’s drawings. Where a scheme has not been designed yet, we can tell you what the ground is likely to call for before you commission it.
How Long Does a Foundation Take?
On a domestic extension the foundation stage is usually a matter of days once we are on site. On a new build or a commercial structure it is more often several weeks, depending on the size, the ground and the foundation type. Piled schemes add rig time but often shorten the overall programme. We give you a timescale once we have seen the site and the drawings.
Other Services
Why Choose Fry Site Services
Deconstruction, groundworks, and waste management in one seamless process.
Cut costs and streamline your process with a single, dependable provider.
We’ll oversee the planning, logistics, and execution, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
With our skilled operators and expert management, every project stays on track.
Waste management through our sister company ensures eco-friendly practices and reduced costs.
We combine expertise, education and dedication for results you can rely on.