We are now approximately half way through the basement conversion at Heslop Road, Balham, and have already inserted the steel work into the front of the basement and created the concrete retaining wall at the front.

The big challenge we faced with the leaking pipe has been resolved and we were able to continue digging while the leak was being repaired. We also hit a bit of silt, which meant building controls had to come round and take some samples.

Because of the silt, we had to go back to the structural engineer and re-do some of the calculations, but this was done rather swiftly and in the end only delayed the project by a day or so.

As this is such a large building project, we also have on-going work on the rest of the house. The loft extension has been more or less complete for several weeks and we are working on finer details, such as the skirting board and the architrave.

Structurally, the next element will be starting work on the rear extension. We have already started knocking down the concrete party wall at the side of the garden and will need to build a hoarding to secure the property.

Next week, we will be taking down the kitchen to extend into the side return. In order to do this work we will need to support the whole house on steels and brickwork. This is always an exciting part of a side extension project, but it has its risks.

It is a process that we often undertake, but in the case of this extension in Balham, we face the additional challenge of the basement being dug at the same time, which makes the ground less stable. For this reason, we need a method statement for the process that needs to go to the structural engineer and the party wall surveyor.

The other thing having an impact on this project is the impending Christmas deadline, by which stage we will need to have the new supports in place and the site well secured. We’re well on schedule to meet this though.