Groundwork and drainage excavation specialists for property extensions.

Foundations

Strip Foundations and Building Foundations

At BVMH Groundworks, we specialise in delivering high-quality strip foundations and building foundations for residential and commercial projects across Sussex. With a commitment to precision, durability, and compliance with building regulations, our expert team ensures your project starts on solid ground.

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What Is a Strip Foundation?

A strip foundation is a key method for supporting structures, especially in residential construction. This foundation type consists of a continuous strip of concrete placed under load-bearing walls, distributing weight evenly across the soil below. Known for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, strip foundations are an ideal choice for new builds and extensions alike. At BVMH Groundworks, we take pride in constructing foundations tailored to your project's specific needs, adhering to the minimum depth of foundations building regulations UK to guarantee safety and compliance.

Building Foundations: A Strong Start for Your Project

Every successful project begins with a robust building foundation. From house foundations to concrete foundation slabs, we offer a variety of foundation solutions to suit different ground conditions and construction requirements.
Construction site with excavation and drainage system work in progress.

Our Expertise Includes:

  • Slab foundations for large structures requiring extra stability
  • Concrete slab foundations for modern homes and commercial builds
  • Customised foundation cement mixes tailored for durability and longevity
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The Importance of Choosing the Right Foundation

The type of foundation you choose plays a critical role in the longevity and stability of your structure. Whether it's a trench fill foundation for soft ground or strip foundations for standard load-bearing, we provide expert guidance to ensure you select the most suitable option.

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  • Footings for extensions: We specialise in seamless transitions for home additions, adhering to all regulations
  • Foundation footing types: From traditional trench fill footings to modern concrete footers, we cover it all
  • Rule of thumb for foundation depth: Our team evaluates site conditions to determine the optimal depth for your foundation

Foundations for Homes and Extensions

Whether you're building a new house or planning an extension, our foundation services ensure a strong and stable base. We specialise in UK house foundations, catering to the unique requirements of the British climate and soil types. From footings and slabs to different types of foundations, our solutions are built to last.
Heavy machinery performing demolition and groundwork for new construction or renovations.

Why Choose BVMH Groundworks?

+years

Combined Experience

Expertise

We understand the intricacies of foundation construction.

Regulation Compliance

All our projects adhere to the minimum depth of Sussex foundations and building regulations.
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Heavy machinery on a residential site clearing old structures for new development projects.

Did you know?

We also specialise in demolition

At BVMH we are time served demolition contractors offering comprehensive demolition services for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. As one of the longest trading demolition companies in Sussex, we pride ourselves on delivering efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible solutions. From small-scale building demolition to large industrial site clearances, our team ensures every project is handled with precision, care, and adherence to local regulations.
See our demolition Service
Foundations
Piling
Underpining
Excavation
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Surfacing
Sand Schools
Demolition
Groundbeams
On-site crushing
Muck Shifting
Topographical Surverys
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Services we offer

Client feedback
What do people say about our services?
See our 150+ reviews on Checkatrade
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“From the initial meeting to the last day on site Ben came across trustworthy, honest and reliable. We found Ben through a Google Search, saw his other reviews and wanted to get a quote. His price was very fair and competitive compared to other quotes we had received. All of his team were polite and hardworking, special thanks to Jack for answering all of our many questions on site! Ben and his team levelled ground for us, built a retaining wall, and installed a concrete slab. They put in a new shingle path and surround and even painted the concrete slab for us (a very last minute request!!) I would not hesitate to recommend BVMH and will be getting them back again to help with our driveway when we can! Thank you so much Ben to you and your team for all your help with our extension at Nutwood Cattery. Nicola and Lizzie”

Nicola Keogh

“From the initial meeting with Ben I knew we would be in safe hands. Ben is extremely knowledgeable and his no nonsense / nothing is too much trouble attitude is excellent. All communications are very transparent with no hidden extras or costs.
His team (Adam & Karl) led by Anthony very very well organised, were polite, diligent, and given the harsh weather we had, couldn’t have worked harder without complaint. I would not hesitate to recommend this company and to trust your building project gets off to the best of starts.”

Charlie Wheeler

“Ben and his team were extremely professional, but also very warm/friendly and explained every step of the process to me. He did the job exactly as he said he would and on cost, and overall I was very impressed with the finished product (concrete floor with rebar) for garden outbuilding. They were also very clean and tidy!

I have more groundwork to do (drainage, IC, water outlets, soil pipes etc) so have already arranged for him to come back. Would 100% recommend him for any groundwork.”

Sandor Roberts

Frequently Asked Questions - Foundations

A robust foundation ensures the stability and structural integrity of a building. It evenly distributes the structure’s weight to prevent settlement or structural failure and resists various forces such as gravity, wind, and seismic activity, keeping the building safe and secure. 

Common foundation types include:

•Strip Foundations: Continuous strips of concrete or masonry that support load-bearing walls.

•Pad Foundations: Individual concrete pads that support columns or isolated points of load.

•Raft Foundations: Large, solid slabs covering the entire building area, distributing the load across a wider area.

Selecting the appropriate foundation involves analysing several factors unique to the project site, including soil conditions, load requirements, and environmental considerations. Consulting with a structural engineer can help determine the most suitable foundation type for your specific needs. 

In many cases, existing foundations can be repaired if they have experienced damage or settlement. Common repair methods include underpinning, which strengthens the foundation by adding additional support, and crack repairs using epoxy injections or other specialized techniques. 

Indicators of foundation issues include:

•Cracked drywall.

•Poor water drainage.

•Sticking doors and windows.

•Cracking or bulging floors.

•Cabinets or countertops separating from walls.

•Large cracks on foundation walls.

•Bowing walls and window gaps.

•Visible exterior siding issues.

If you notice any of these signs, contact us for an assessment. 

The cost of foundation repair varies depending on the scope and severity of the damage. Many jobs can be completed within 1 to 2 days and historically cost between £5 – 20K.

Proper foundation repairs conducted by licensed and certified specialists can preserve or even enhance your home’s value. It’s important to disclose any foundation work when selling your home, but quality repairs with transferable warranties can reassure potential buyers. 

Regular maintenance includes:

•Ensuring proper drainage around your home to prevent water accumulation.

•Keeping gutters and downspouts clean and directing water away from the foundation.

•Monitoring and addressing plumbing leaks promptly.

•Inspecting the foundation periodically for cracks or signs of movement.

Implementing these practices can help maintain the integrity of your foundation over time.

Foundations Contractor

info@bvmhgroundworks.com 01903 536587
Sunnydell, Coolham Road, Brooks Green,
Horsham, RH13 0JW
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