Construction on Difficult Building Sites

No two building sites are the same, and many pose unique challenges to contractors working on the construction job at all stages. Difficulties that can be encountered on a challenging building site include:

Sites with poor soil

There are many different types of soil that it is possible to encounter, and some of them pose greater difficulty than others.

• Clay. This soil type is very affected by moisture or lack thereof, which can result in it moving and shifting, or contracting and expanding. Typically clay requires deeper foundations that reach down to firmer earth below and provide more of a solid foundation. Hence, if working on clay soils, you may wish to partner with a screw piling contractor who can take your piles sufficiently deep – such as up to 30 metres deep.
• Sand. Sand, or sandy soil, is good at draining and reducing the quantity of moisture. However, it is vulnerable to erosion, and is not often firm closer to the surface. Hence, screw piles are a favoured foundation type for sandy soil.
• Rocky sites. Sites with a rock foundation can offer a very firm and solid foundation. However, they can also pose some challenges. It is essential to partner with a piling contractor who is highly capable to ensure a level foundation when working with this firm surface type. Rock can also make excavation difficult, for example, for piping or drainage, and for footings if not managed by a suitable screw piling contractor with the necessary equipment and piling rigs for screw piling Wollongong.

Steep sites

Steep sites can be highly challenging to build on in Australia. They often require careful consideration and project management that may involve extensive excavation, drainage planning, and driveway construction. On very steep sites a visible footing below the home or its deck may sometimes be preferred. It all depends on the home in question. However, steep sites certainly call for experienced screw piling to develop a well-thought-out solution.

Narrow or small sites

A lot of construction nowadays, particularly in urban areas, requires builders and contractors to operate in small spaces. This is because the land surrounding the new build or demolition job is often surrounded by existing infrastructure. Hence, it may not be possible for certain contractors to enter a narrow site, or for many to be on the site at once. Hence, when considering all different contractor types for all different parts of the build, you ought to consider their ability to access hard to reach spaces with horizontal or vertical restrictions, and their ability to carry out their part of the build quickly but effectively. Screw piling is prized for its speed, and the rigs that companies such as Piling Experts use are highly nimble and capable of squeezing into tight spaces. Hence, screw piling Sydney is often the preferred method for establishing a foundation in a compact urban site.

Restrictions from neighbours and council

Even on a site that is easy to work on from a geotechnical perspective, certain limitations may be imposed on the work by council regulations or by a neighbour that is difficult to manage. It is not uncommon for local bylaws or other council regulations to impact upon a build, that has to then be tailored to these limitations. This isn’t to say an amazing home cannot be built on these sites, just that it requires suitably experienced and equipped contractors to carry out the job to ensure compliance. Similarly, an angry neighbour who is prone to complaint may react better to a job that is carried out quickly. Compared to other foundation methods, screw piling is rapid, and compared to other piling methods, it is relatively quiet and produces minimal ground disturbance or mess.

Trees

Trees can be a lovely inclusion within a finished project, but they can pose some challenges during the process of construction. Many builders will seek to maintain trees on their property, or they may be required to by law, if it is a heritage tree for example. Hence, many builders in such settings will have to find a balance between the greenery and the building itself. Screw piling contractors in Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney, and Wollongong, such as the Piling Experts, have worked on many ‘green sites’ before and can assist to preserve trees by following a respectful method of foundation instalment.

Finding a screw piling Sydney contractor for difficult building sites

Are you looking for a screw piling contractor to assist you to establish the foundations for your latest building project? Is the site a difficult one, for the reasons listed above, or for other reasons?

The Piling Experts can assist with screw piling, bored piling, underpinning and other piling services for your Central Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong construction projects. Contact for more information and to discuss the difficult site.