When to Install

Option 1: New build house, house extension or house refurbishment  = Fit Only Installation

The most time and cost efficient opportunity to install a Spiral Cellar  is when you are already building a new home, garage or outbuilding, or building a new conservatory or extension or even where the flooring in a room is being replaced. 

We recommend that any demolition work is undertaken, and once new foundations have been set, the circular hole for the cellar be excavated. The contractors will probably already have a mechanical excavator on site, and the hole can be dug in less than one day, whilst site access is at its easiest.
The hole should be shuttered such that the hole is safe, with our hole protection rings and the rest of the build programme can continue. The slab should be poured to the outside of the shuttering and the contractor will be required to provide an electric supply to the cellar and to fit two ventilation pipes (50mm UPVC pipes) within the floor construction to the nearest external wall. This will be agreed in advance by Spiral Cellars and guidance notes will be provided.

An alternative to the steel shuttering panel earth support system supplied by Spiral Cellars is to install precast concrete ‘Milton’ Rings (or similar supplier). The Milton Rings are not supplied or installed by Spiral Cellars. The rings usually sit on a concrete slab. Note that a 2.4m diameter ring x 500mm deep weighs approx 1.05 tonne. The step irons need to be cut off. If this method is selected please confirm for advice on the minimum internal diameter of the rings - generally a 2.4m internal diameter ring is required for Original Spiral Cellars and 2.6m internal diameter for White Spiral Cellars, but we need to confirm the details for each particular job. Please consider cost, delivery and plant required for Milton rings, in addition to access issues on your site.

Spiral Cellars should be booked to install the cellar between first and second fix stage of the build. Our schedule is normally booked 12 weeks ahead. To re-schedule the installation date we require 28 days notice as per our Terms and Conditions.

The Spiral Cellars team then supply, deliver and install the cellar. The construction method for the cellar involves: installing the butyl liner and fleeces, casting the base, constructing the cellar modules, casting a reinforced concrete ring in-situ, if required. The trap door and ventilation pipes are connected and the installation is complete. On a well prepared site, this process will take 3-5 days. The final electrical connection should be completed by the contractors’ certified electrician.

What the contractor will be required to do - see 'Site Preparation'

Option 2: Retro fit scenario = Full Installation

We are able to undertake the full installation into existing buildings, even when the property is fully occupied. We can also carry out a full installation on refurbishment and new build projects if the contractor prefers not to do the excavation. We dig and remove the spoils by hand, and as such we are able to install in most ground floor rooms or basements regardless of construction build up. For the Original Spiral Cellar, this can take 5-6 working days. For the White Spiral Cellar, this is more likely to be 8-9 working days. Access for materials and skip positions need to be considered carefully at site survey stage.

The Spiral Cellars team will also organise skips for removal of waste, gain the necessary permits from your local authority, and supply all building materials, waterproof liner, Spiral Cellar modules, trap door and lighting.