Footings Contractor Birmingham
WHAT WE OFFER
Your building's foundation carries everything above it. Even the most stunning structure will develop serious problems if the footings are wrong.
That's why proper footings aren't merely the start of your build—they're the bedrock of your project's long-term success.
Expert Foundation
Solutions
We handle all foundation types to provide your building with rock-solid foundations for decades ahead.
Building Regulation
Compliant
Full UK building standards compliance, complete with comprehensive documentation and inspections for peace of mind.
Professional Equipment
& Expertise
Our experienced team brings specialist machinery and technical expertise for precise foundation work.
We Take On All
Project Types
From home extensions and new builds to garages and commercial developments—we’re Birmingham’s trusted footings contractor.
Budget considerations are paramount when it comes to foundation work. Quality footings from day one prevent costly complications and financially keep your construction project on track.
Introduction
Footings connect your build to the ground. They spread the load evenly and prevent settling or movement that can undermine your entire project. Only professional foundation contractors like us can deliver this essential part, which requires specialist knowledge, equipment and years of experience.
Deep foundations are best for projects that need more load capacity or dealing with weak soils. They give stability when ground conditions get tough. We assess the soil conditions to choose the best foundation solution for the soil type so your project succeeds in the long term. Our foundation services include full soil assessments to determine the best foundation approach.
Whether you’re a homeowner adding an extension, an architect designing a bespoke house, an engineer writing specifications, or a builder managing a development, working with Plant Hire Now means your project will succeed. The decisions you make now affect everything that follows.
We use tried-and-tested methods to deliver foundation solutions for every construction job. We do everything related to footings, underpinning, and foundation work, no matter how big or complex.
Deep Foundations
Building foundations involves more than just moving soil. It also involves structural engineering, soil mechanics, local ground conditions, and current building regulations. As professional foundation contractors, we bring years of experience and technical knowledge that cannot be replaced by general building knowledge.
Our team has a civil engineering background, so even the most complex foundation and groundworks projects (including earthworks, piling, and drainage) are completed to the highest standards.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found that foundation issues cause 80% of building problems. This stark fact shows why getting your footings right the first time is crucial.
As professional foundation contractors in Birmingham, we offer the following:
The foundations support everything above them, so they are the most important part of your build. Cut corners here, and you’ll face problems ranging from minor settling cracks to major structural failures that require full reconstruction.
Building Regulations for Footings
The UK has strict regulations for foundation building—and for good reason. These regulations ensure your structure can withstand its location and use.
Building regulations specify footing dimensions, thickness and width. These depend on:
Shallow foundations work for lighter loads and stable soil conditions; they are a practical solution for the right scenario.
Choosing the right foundation type keeps your project within budget, especially when following the regulations. Solihull and Harborne have clay-heavy soils; you need deeper or stronger foundations—something we know from our local experience.
Building regulations also specify concrete strength for different applications. These use codes like C15, C20, and C35. The number indicates concrete strength in newtons per square millimetre after 28 days of curing. Higher numbers signify stronger concrete for more demanding applications.
Following these regulations isn’t optional. Building control officers inspect and approve your footings at key stages. Non-compliance leads to expensive remedial work, project delays, and potential legal complications when selling the property later.
We remain current with these regulations and their application to your project, maintaining compliance throughout the build.
Foundation Design and Planning
Foundation design and planning is the backbone of any build. Before we start building we inspect the ground and soil to determine the best foundation type.
Our foundation services are key to this process. We use our knowledge to advise whether deep, shallow, raft, strip or pile foundations are best for your project.
Local soil types and building regulations in Birmingham and West Midlands need to be considered to ensure your foundation meets compliance and strength requirements. The design also takes into account the load your structure will need to support, the materials used (concrete or steel) and site specific requirements.
Working with us means your building will be built on solid foundations, so you can have peace of mind and long term stability. Proper planning at this stage isn’t just about meeting regulations, it’s about protecting your investment and making sure your building lasts.
Types of Foundations and Footings We Work With
We work with all foundation types, matching each to your build and ground conditions. Our job is to find the right solution for your project and get the groundwork right. We also do soil stabilisation to prepare your site for foundation work.
Individual footings (or pad foundations) take the weight from single columns or posts. Think of them as concrete blocks - usually square or rectangular - that sit under each point where your build bears down.
We use them for:
- Buildings with isolated load points
- Steel or timber frame structures
- Sites with good solid ground
- Jobs where you want to minimise concrete usage
Individual footings put support exactly where you need it without wasting materials.
Strip Foundations / Strip Footings
Strip foundations are what most UK homes sit on. They’re exactly what they sound like - continuous concrete strips that run under your load bearing walls.
Perfect for:
- Standard brick and block build
- House extensions
- Homes on solid ground
- Buildings where the wall weight spreads evenly
We work out how wide and deep they must be based on your wall thickness, build height and what your soil can handle.
Raft foundations are reinforced concrete slabs that spread under your entire build. Instead of concentrated support points, they share the build’s weight across a much bigger area.
We recommend them for:
- Weak or problem soils
- Sites with high water levels
- Buildings where uneven settling could cause issues
- Loads that spread evenly across the structure
Proper engineering is essential for getting raft foundations right. The thickness, steel reinforcement, and edge details all need to be calculated, and that’s where our experience counts.
When ground conditions are tough, we turn to pile foundations. We drive or bore deep columns into the ground until we hit stable soil or bedrock, then connect them with ground beams.
They’re the answer for:
- Very poor or unpredictable ground
- Sites with fill or made up ground
- Clay soils that shrink and swell
- Taller builds that need deep, solid support
We use different piling methods depending on your site; driven piles, bored piles, or screw piles. Each foundation type needs the right kit and know-how, so we tailor each project to your needs.
Underpinning and Repair
Even the best foundations need attention over time due to changes in soil conditions, increased loads or natural wear and tear. Our underpinning and repair services are crucial for your property’s stability and safety.
Underpinning is strengthening and deepening existing foundations to spread the load, and repair is fixing damage or deterioration that has occurred.
We cover underpinning and repair in Birmingham and the surrounding area. We’ll inspect your foundation and give you a no obligation quote so you know what work is required.
By dealing with foundation issues quickly you can prevent further damage and keep your building up to the highest safety and quality standards. Let us underpin your property; it will be stable, secure and protected for years.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are a key part of many construction projects, especially on uneven or sloping ground. They hold back soil, prevent erosion and create level areas for buildings. They are vital for the site and the surrounding area’s stability and safety.
We design and build retaining walls using various materials to suit your project, including concrete, steel and timber. In the UK, especially in Birmingham and the West Midlands, all retaining structures must comply with building regulations and we build them to the highest standards.
Why Choose Plant Hire Now?
Choosing the right contractors for your foundations and footings is key to any build’s success. We’re foundation contractors with years of experience in underpinning and stabilising structures and all aspects of foundation work.
In Birmingham and the West Midlands, our local knowledge of soil conditions and building regulations is crucial to get your build done safely and to the highest standard.
Solid Foundations You Can Count On
Don’t leave your build to chance or inexperience. As shown above we bring specific knowledge, equipment and expertise that will directly impact your build’s long term success.
We have experience in all types of foundations, from individual footings and strip foundations to more complex raft and pile foundations. We know how important this phase of the build is and approach every project with meticulous attention to detail.
Whether you’re a private homeowner looking to extend, an architect designing a new build, an engineer implementing technical specifications or a building contractor needing reliable groundworks, we can deliver solid foundations.
Get in touch today to discuss your build requirements or find out how our Birmingham footings services can benefit your build. We’ll get the right foundation for your project.
services available throughout Birmingham
- Acocks Green
- Alum Rock
- Ashted
- Aston
- Aston Cross
- Austin Village
- Balsall Heath
- Balti Triangle
- Bartley Green
- Beech Lanes
- Billesley
- Birches Green
- Birchfield
- Birmingham City Centre
- Boldmere
- Bordesley
- Bordesley Green
- Bournbrook
- Bournville
- Brandwood End
- Brindleyplace
- Bromford
- Browns Green
- Buckland End
- California
- Camp Hill
- Castle Vale
- Chad Valley
- Chinese Quarter
- Churchfield
- Cofton Common
- Cotteridge
- Deritend
- Digbeth
- Doe Bank
- Driffold
- Druids Heath
- Duddeston
- Dudley
- Eastside
- Edgbaston
- Erdington
- Falcon Lodge
- Five Ways
- Four Oaks
- Fox Hollies
- Frankley
- Garretts Green
- Gib Heath
- Gilbertstone
- Glebe Farm
- Gospel Oak
- Gosta Green
- Gravelly Hill
- Great Barr
- Greet
- Grimstock Hill
- Gun Quarter
- Hall Green
- Hamstead
- Handsworth
- Handsworth Wood
- Harborne
- Harts Green
- Hawkesley
- Hay Mills
- High Heath
- Highgate
- Highter’s Heath
- Hill Hook
- Hill Wood
- Hockley
- Hodge Hill
- Jewellery Quarter
- Kents Moat
- Kings Heath
- Kings Norton
- Kingstanding
- Kitts Green
- Ladywood
- Lea Hall
- Lee Bank
- The Leverretts
- Ley Hill
- Lifford
- Little Bromwich
- Lodge Hill
- Longbridge
- Lozells
- Lyndon Green
- Maney
- Maypole
- Minworth
- Mere Green
- Moor Green
- Moseley
- Nechells
- New Frankley
- New Oscott
- Newton, Great Barr
- Newtown
- New Town Row
- Northfield
- Old Oscott
- Over Green
- Peddimore
- Parkhall
- Pelham
- Perry Barr
- Perry Beeches
- Perry Common
- Pheasey
- Pype Hayes
- Queslett
- Quinton
- Reddicap Heath
- Rednal
- Ridgacre
- Rotton Park
- Roughley
- Rubery
- Saltley
- Sarehole
- Selly Oak
- Selly Park
- Shard End
- Sheldon
- Shenley Fields
- Shenley Green
- Short Heath
- Showell Green
- Small Heath
- Smithfield
- Soho
- Southside
- South Yardley
- South Woodgate
- Sparkbrook
- Sparkhill
- Springfield
- Spring Vale
- Stechford
- Stirchley
- Stockfield
- Stockland Green
- Streetly
- Sutton Coldfield
- Ten Acres
- The Parade
- Theatreland
- Thimble End
- Tile Cross
- Tower Hill
- Tudor Hill
- Turves Green
- Tyburn
- Tyseley
- Vauxhall
- Wake Green
- Walker’s Heath
- Walmley
- Ward End
- Warstock
- Washwood Heath
- Wells Green
- Weoley Hill
- Weoley Castle
- West Heath
- Westside
- Wiggins Hill
- Whitehouse Common
- Winson Green
- Witton
- Woodcock Hill
- Woodgate
- Wolverhampton
- Wylde Green
- Yardley
- Yardley Wood