Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Oct 05, 2008 7:05 pm It looks like we will be going with another builder.... now I'm thinking of saving a few pennies... well actually quite a few pennies.
I'm thinking we'll just get a rough site cut done. Then the builder can go from there with soile test and site costs. I understand we won't have FFL (final floor levels) for the exact house... but we can do a rough cut to allow for the size. Obviously the builder may have to do a little further work.... I have a contact to do this.... our site costs were around 20k with our previous builder. So I'm expecting something similar with any new builder. We didn't have this option with the previous builder because our land wasn't settled when we signed... But now we own the land. We can do what the hell we want. Is there potential problems with doing this? Is there something I'm not seeing or thinking about? All opinions and advice sought and welcome. Thanks in advance, Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 2Oct 05, 2008 8:07 pm hi you may have to get a building permit to do large work like that if you have to fill the area you would have to get it tested or proberly the buider would charge you for it!!
its a catch 22 one!! Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 3Oct 05, 2008 8:30 pm Joles whatever you do make sure anything that is done is in writing. That way you can show a written report/information on exactly what was done to your builder.
One of the reasons we have to pay so much extra despite already having a sand pad is that the developers engineers did not provide any paperwork or a certificate to say what they did so the builders earthworks guys won't take our sand pad area on face value. They want to remove it and see what's there. Then of course they need to replace the sand (+ top up what gets lost) It will save us money over having had nothing done I guess given that the developer took out a huge amount of rocks. ( massive boulders we were told) But if the builder had just removed the rocks and left the cleared space without spending money on filling it we'd have been better off. Can't say I blame the builders engineers since if there is a future problem i guess they'd be liable without some sort of certification from the developers engineers and earthworks people. I do know of one person who has done some basic site works/clearing before the builders people. I'll pm you the persons name. Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 4Oct 05, 2008 10:11 pm Jo,
My suggestion is get the builder to do everything. Cleaner, simpler and easier. You've now got one major thing on your side - competition. Because you're not tied to any builder, you can get some real competition for your job. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 5Oct 05, 2008 10:16 pm Mmmm.... could be a 15 to 18k difference to do it ourselves.... that's a big difference.
The advantage is... due to the size of the block we don't need retaining walls. It can be battened away. I have a contact in a company that does work for a lot of the big builders..... I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Own Site Cut 6Oct 05, 2008 10:25 pm Hi
I went down this path choosing to do all my own siteworks. Builders quote was $15000 Im in the process of compaction now am estimating to complete the lot for just under $6000 which Im happy with. Costs Site cut $1000 this was a full days excavator and truck dumping dirt/rock elsewhere. Sand $3200 Engineers reports $800 Compactor $200 The most valuable piece of advice I can give if you choose to do this is CASH IS KING. The amount I saved by paying cash for everything is amazing. Goodluck Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 7Oct 05, 2008 10:28 pm joles,
Doing your own site cut is a good idea, provided the builder you use doesnt have any problems with it. If all you are doing is creating a single level pad there are several things to consider. I would have a site survey and soil test done. Based on this you would need to work out a rough footprint for the house you intend to build and ad 20% floor area around all the edges just in case. Then go and see an engineer and get the design done for the cut and fill. If you are battening the edges remember to allow extra fill. Going forward this could be a benefit if you decide to sell the land (provided you position the site well) as you will be selling a "level building site"... Volume builders may baulk at the cut having already been done but smaller builders should be fine with it. Think hard though about whether it is worth the work or maybe just better to sell and move on. Good luck! Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 8Oct 05, 2008 10:33 pm Thanks Matt,
I've just completed a quick search on here... and I found someone else going with the builder we're thinking of.... and they did their own site cut and the builder was fine with it. I only want to sell the land as a last resort.... M may have crushed one house dream.... like hell I'll let them wreck the land dream as well as well. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 9Oct 05, 2008 11:02 pm Joles, I am really sorry to hear you have had to start again. Believe me I truly understand how crushing it can be. I am glad you were able to move on to another company and keep the building dream alive even with all that you have achieved already.
Have you mentioned anywhere else what happened or are you not at the point of discussing yet.? Those certain people at M must have really let you down for you to walk. You know what I outlayed to walk away and I truly admire you for doing the same with more on the line. Now onto the topic at hand. If I put it into perspective of doing work on your land before approaching a builder it might be the same sort of thing. We had to consider doing this with our pool. If we do our own pool and secure it off before the builder even looks at our block, thats no probs. If the builder starts on our block before the pool goes in......we are not allowed to do it while the builder is on site. So in a nutshell, what is done before the builder starts is a good thing and the builder has to just add onto your site. If you have it done to their requirements thats even better. Plus you save money and thats awesome. On the flip side you have to be careful that you don't end up paying for this to be done twice. Sometimes the builder will find other site issues that have to be dealt with, prior to starting the actual build. Good luck Joles I really do hope everything works out for you. Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 10Oct 06, 2008 7:38 am mattwalker Volume builders may baulk at the cut having already been done but smaller builders should be fine with it. Yes yes and yes, baulk builders make a truck load of cash out doing the site-cut. Doing it yourself is great idea. Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 11Oct 06, 2008 1:24 pm I'm not sure about Melbourne, but here in Sydney you will need council approval for any large amounts of cut and fill. Make sure you check with council first. Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 12Oct 06, 2008 8:12 pm I wouldnt consider this without the builder being on board. Let the builder do soil testing and survey first and let them get the building permit then go in for the cut. The survey and subsequent diagrams will dictate the dimensions of the cut.
This is the way I went about, it Im pretty sure the builder will want to see the block before its dug. Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 13Oct 06, 2008 8:18 pm Today I spoke to someone in the office of the builder I'm considering.
He told me that they're willing to give me preliminary site costs.... but if they're not acceptable, I can do the site cut myself and they'll be happy to build on my block. They want to work with me because they understand we are down a bit of money because of the problems with our previoys builder. They want to help me out so I'm not starting behind again. Also, in explaining my situation, he took no cheap shots at my former builder. Someone with integrity, honesty and decency? In the building industry? Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Doing our own site cut.... viable?? 14Oct 06, 2008 9:47 pm joles Someone with integrity, honesty and decency? In the building industry? Jo Schhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Dont say things like that around here ... you will get shot!! PM me your email. I have a build excavation calculator you can use based on your plans to double check what your builder is telling you. Cheers Simeon 1 7995 The DIY project can be broken into two major steps. Planning and Design and Construction. Both of these steps are as important as one another to ensure you give… 0 4518 Hi group, have some damage to the door frame and skirting board. It's a side door to the laundry area. Only has a security door. I had a termite inspection (note drill… 0 4126 |