Complicated Basement

[Wix]

I'm trying to install a basement which would be a simple enough task except me being me it isn't. The simplest way i can find to explain this is whith a diagram:

----------
GARDEN - BASEMENT GOES HERE.
----------
HOUSE
++++++

I need the basement to be under the garden, with the entrance being inside the house. Entrance to the basement would be some steps going down.

Now, i don't know if there is any pipes, bombs, cabels etc under the garden and i don't know if its legal to dig up the site. Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers, Wix the builder.

[Wix]

oh and one more complkication :- Theres no way i could fit a digger or excevator into my garden without the whole area looking like a bomb site.

[Gok Wan]

Looking like a bomb site is to be expected - how else do you propose to excavate a 'basement'? All building sites look like bomb sites, its par for the course, you want a nice basement? You have to put up with a few months of mess.

Now, hopefully someone will come along who can answer the more important parts of your question, about the pipes and cables (and BOMBS????)...

[buildersmate]

This is well beyond the scope of a simple website to answer. You need to find a basement specialist from Yellow Pages.
The main issues to consider are support to the existing structure whilst you excavate, tanking the main structure to make it waterproof and access to the site (as you identified).
It will have to destroy your existing garden. And it will not be cheap to do (compared to a conventional build).

[landscaper2]

Too right Buildersmate!! Basements are notoriously difficult to construct and to waterproof perfectly. Some are easier than others. I've been involved with such a project (we were reinstating the garden!) where an experienced and reliable builder had awful trouble with the ingress of water from a previously unknown undergound water course. Definately NOT for the inexperienced!!

[Wix]

Thanks for your answers, i've decided to hire a contractor. At least then i can't blame myself for the house collapsing.

[landscaper2]

Phew........that's a relief!!

[Jugglering]

And make sure your builder does the usual checks on where any services (electricity, gas, water, bt etc etc) are... as well as checks on the level of the water table (which may rise and fall according to the rainfall levels).... How do you propose dealing with any outfalls from the basement (grey and foul water) - those need to fall away from the property or be pumped out - adding to the cost. The underground structure will need to be *tanked* ie waterproofed - another expense and the walls may have to act as retaining walls. Also the roof of this basement may need to be structurally capable of coping with another structure on top in the future. Don't forget to keep all calcs and findings too, in case you sell the land and property in the future - you may have to pass this information over to the new owners under the CDM Regulations.... Don't forget Fire Regs, Building Regs, and The Party Wall Act if you are close to a neighbouring property, etc etc...

I'm thinking it would probably be cheaper for you to simply move house...sorry !

[Wix]

Cheers jugglering, i just hope i don't end up on one of those builders from hell programs!