TIMOTHY LAKE 

100 Mile House, B.C. | Lakefront Custom Home

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The Project
The owners of this lakefront property wanted to develop the site and build a single-family home that would make the most of its location on Timothy Lake. From the outset, it had all the makings of a beautiful residential project, but the complexity of the site only became clear once excavation began. The project ultimately became one of the most technically challenging builds Kellermeier Contracting has taken on, requiring the original plans to be reconsidered, geotechnical specialists to be brought in and an entirely new foundation strategy to be developed.

 

The Challenge
Excavation began in the fall with plans for a basement. As the team dug into the property, they encountered numerous underground water veins and, within approximately two hours, the basement excavation had accumulated roughly a foot and a half of water. The volume of groundwater did more than complicate excavation. It raised serious concerns about the soil’s bearing capacity and whether the planned foundation could be safely constructed in those conditions.

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With winter approaching, continuing without fully understanding the site would have created unnecessary risk. Kellermeier made the decision to stop construction for the season and undertake a more detailed technical review rather than push ahead with a foundation system that might not have been appropriate for the property.

 

The Kellermeier Approach
Kellermeier worked with professional consultants and geotechnical engineers to evaluate the soil, groundwater and overall site conditions and determine how the home could be built safely. That process led to a significant redesign. The basement was removed from the plans and the living space was reconfigured to include a guest wing instead, allowing the owners to retain the space they needed while reducing the depth and complexity of the excavation.

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The redesign addressed only part of the problem. Groundwater still needed to be managed so foundation work could proceed. Under the supervision of geotechnical engineers, the team developed a system that used a separate reservoir to collect groundwater and pump it away from the active excavation, keeping the site dry enough for work to continue. The foundation base was then built up using fill suited to the revised conditions. Because the property sits directly on the lake, the team also had to carefully manage overflow and ensure that water from the excavation was not simply redirected back into the lake.

 

The Outcome
With a redesigned home, a revised foundation strategy and the right technical support in place, construction was able to continue and the house was completed successfully. Timothy Lake remains one of Kellermeier Contracting’s most challenging builds and one of the projects the team is most proud of because it demonstrates the value of knowing when to stop, reassess and bring in the right expertise.

The project also reflects an important part of Kellermeier’s approach to complex construction. A builder’s responsibility is not simply to keep work moving at all costs. It is to recognize when conditions have changed, understand the implications and make decisions that protect the integrity and longevity of the finished home.