Hi, what if my builder tells me Waffle Slab cost $5000 extra?

when you are refering to waffle Pod is that what the builder call 'H' slab and Raft slab is the 'M' slab, our builder told us the soil testing and engineering report for our land recomended the 'H' slab , so they have to go for that and we had to pay around $4k extra for that because the std cost were based on the 'M' slab,

I have built 4 houses with 3 different builders over the years and none have them have used waffle pods.
I am in the country and its only since some of the big city companies have started to build here that I came accross the waffle thing, I lead a sheltered life
I think it could be because theres so much competition in the city they have to get their costs down so go with this way.
I personallly dont like the idea of it and am happy with my raft slabs.
Or maybe Im one of those people who find it hard to change

I am new to this industry and I am all confused with footings and slabs now! Anyone can help me clear these up?

From what I read from the sites, I understand there are 5 types of slabs: slab on ground, stiffened raft slab, footing slab, waffle slab and infill slab.

Obviously, footing slab has footing and the most common one is strip footing and are usually continuous around the entire perimeter of the building.

What about other slabs? Do they have footings?

What are the differences between slab on ground, stiffened raft slab, raft slab and footing slab?

Just got the documentation for my block from Land Development Agency of Canberra. It doesn’t mention any thing about waffle slab!! Is waffle slab a type of pad footings?

Here is what it said:

Site classification is M

House Footings
Suitable “deemed-to-comply” footing designs for a Class “M” site can be found in AS2870 and includes stiffened rafts, stiffened footing slabs, and strip and/or pad footings supporting above ground floors. Ground slabs should be structurally tied to the edge and internal footings/beams, i.e. infill (floating) slabs should not used.

Footings can be founded in the natural soil, but below topsoil and any general fill that may have been left after services installations and/or final surface regarding/topsoiling works were completed. A minimum footing depth of 0.5m from existing levels may be required. This can be checked on site by a geotechnical engineer to ensure a suitable foundation has been reached.

My husband is a concretor and personally prefers slab on ground. Some sites you need waffle pods (I assume as otherwise you would need a lot of piering which would be very expensive).

I've heard when waffle pods first came out they were done incorrectly and people put heavy furniture in their house that went through the floor , and rodents got in under the slab and ate out the 'pod' bit. Of course waffle pods are much more common now and I seriously doubt that would happen anymore.

I think my husband prefers slab on ground as it seems stronger, he doesn't like the idea of our house sitting on styrophome (or whatever the stuff is that pods are made out of)

Thanks for the input