Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Oct 17, 2021 5:27 pm Hi guys, Just got the structural plan from my architect. Before the plan started I asked the architect if a site visit by the structural engineer was necessary and he said no. Turned out the structural engineer did the plan without a geotech report, and his reason was he did a few jobs in the area, most likely it is sandy soil. So screw piling is the only way. Now my architect is saying I should get a geotech report, which I’m arranging now. And he can either get the current engineer to update the plan once receiving the geotech report, or get a new engineer. As I’m going through CDC, my builder is saying I should go ahead with the plan for CDC approval, and we can always amend the structural plan without any problems even after cdc approval, which seems to be a common practice. Any comments/suggestions? Judy Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 2Oct 17, 2021 6:25 pm That's the problem when your architect/designer has no idea with what they are doing.. How many times do you want to pay for changes and CDC A geotech is the second thing that gets organised after the contour, before the engineering Changing plans after CDC is nonsense, it causes delays , cost increases, recertification and clients always get stung with huge additional costs. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 3Oct 17, 2021 7:09 pm StructuralBIMGuy That's the problem when your architect/designer has no idea with what they are doing.. How many times do you want to pay for changes and CDC A geotech is the second thing that gets organised after the contour, before the engineering Changing plans after CDC is nonsense, it causes delays , cost increases, recertification and clients always get stung with huge additional costs. Thanks for the comments StructuralBIMGuy, it helps a lot with my decision making. As two builders are saying they’d just change the plan during build, I thought that’s the way to go, and it’s no big deal. Luckily you have given me an honest answer of what the consequences are. Much appreciated. Judy Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 4Oct 17, 2021 10:00 pm There's only one thing worse than getting gouged with engineering variation increase$ And that's, 6 years down the track when your structural warranty is nearing an end, and you have to refer to the geotech and footing design to make a claim/fix. And the engineering/construction has been changed during the build, no one remembers what was done on site 6 years before, the builder/tradies (conveniently) have lost the updated drawings/details and there's no updated certified (CDC) copies with the council. Goodluck, at the building commission with a claim. please made sure CDC is up to date....If you get my gist Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 5Oct 18, 2021 5:14 am StructuralBIMGuy There's only one thing worse than getting gouged with engineering variation increase$ And that's, 6 years down the track when your structural warranty is nearing an end, and you have to refer to the geotech and footing design to make a claim/fix. And the engineering/construction has been changed during the build, no one remembers what was done on site 6 years before, the builder/tradies (conveniently) have lost the updated drawings/details and there's no updated certified (CDC) copies with the council. Goodluck, at the building commission with a claim. please made sure CDC is up to date....If you get my gist I totally get it, and I’m really so glad that I posted this question here and you pointed this potential consequence out to me. So it’s important to get this right before the cdc application. And if things need to be changed after cdc approval, I need to make sure cdc is updated. Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 6Oct 18, 2021 5:20 am Savagepuppy StructuralBIMGuy There's only one thing worse than getting gouged with engineering variation increase$ And that's, 6 years down the track when your structural warranty is nearing an end, and you have to refer to the geotech and footing design to make a claim/fix. And the engineering/construction has been changed during the build, no one remembers what was done on site 6 years before, the builder/tradies (conveniently) have lost the updated drawings/details and there's no updated certified (CDC) copies with the council. Goodluck, at the building commission with a claim. please made sure CDC is up to date....If you get my gist I totally get it, and I’m really so glad that I posted this question here and you pointed this potential consequence out to me. So it’s important to get this right before the cdc application. And if things need to be changed after cdc approval, I need to make sure cdc is updated. One more thing, the current engineer presumed that my area is sandy soil, so he said the screw piling is the only footing option, Is that right? But both builders say change it to concrete piers, it’s the safer option. I’m trying to get the geotech report organised ASAP, would that be a standard report or should I tell them what specific information needs to be in the report? Many thanks, Judy Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 7Oct 18, 2021 9:11 am Sounds like the architect hasn't spoken to anyone other than Builders? Engage your own geotech and engineer ( they have suggested that to you) , ask them the questions directly. BTW, On well compacted class A (sand foundations) you don't need piles, maybe your on class S or M? First question to ask, is are you qualified to certify... or thinking out loud ...are you going to pay extra for their mistakes later? OT, I often see landscape Artist/architects on site doing site investigations with clients, a shovel in hand and their 3d image renderings of gardens, pools and alfresco ( Sell the sizzle not the steak) The reality is they can't certify squat, that always pops up later on when there issues... LOL the client gets caught out holding the shovel while the artists done a runner (humour) Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 8Oct 18, 2021 2:34 pm Wow! Thanks again Chris for sharing the insight tricks of the trade with me. I did try to get involved more by asking if I could use my own people but the architect wanted to use his people, and doesn’t communication much with me about who exactly they were or details, I think to get his commission. Now I really need to do my own homework as much as possible. And really appreciate your input. I haven’t got the soil class, I do have a bit of info re the soil, please see attached if i know how to attach 😅 Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 9Oct 18, 2021 4:15 pm Savagepuppy Hi guys, Just got the structural plan from my architect. Before the plan started I asked the architect if a site visit by the structural engineer was necessary and he said no. Turned out the structural engineer did the plan without a geotech report, and his reason was he did a few jobs in the area, most likely it is sandy soil. So screw piling is the only way. Now my architect is saying I should get a geotech report, which I’m arranging now. And he can either get the current engineer to update the plan once receiving the geotech report, or get a new engineer. As I’m going through CDC, my builder is saying I should go ahead with the plan for CDC approval, and we can always amend the structural plan without any problems even after cdc approval, which seems to be a common practice. Any comments/suggestions? Judy Hi Judy Is your issue that you would prefer concrete piers over screw piles or are you trying to save money by having neither? Just trying to understand what outcome you are hoping for. Cheers Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 10Oct 18, 2021 4:20 pm Without meaning to defend the she'll-be-right-mate attitude of many builders who neglect details when talking to customers, I was wondering why specifically would engineering detail affect the CDC approval if the CDC approval doesn't have engineering details on it? Without knowing any better, the builder and architect could be correct in this instance, technically speaking Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 11Oct 18, 2021 4:50 pm Ashington Homes Savagepuppy Hi guys, Just got the structural plan from my architect. Before the plan started I asked the architect if a site visit by the structural engineer was necessary and he said no. Turned out the structural engineer did the plan without a geotech report, and his reason was he did a few jobs in the area, most likely it is sandy soil. So screw piling is the only way. Now my architect is saying I should get a geotech report, which I’m arranging now. And he can either get the current engineer to update the plan once receiving the geotech report, or get a new engineer. As I’m going through CDC, my builder is saying I should go ahead with the plan for CDC approval, and we can always amend the structural plan without any problems even after cdc approval, which seems to be a common practice. Any comments/suggestions? Judy Hi Judy Is your issue that you would prefer concrete piers over screw piles or are you trying to save money by having neither? Just trying to understand what outcome you are hoping for. Cheers Simeon Hi Simon, Thanks for your reply. My issue is the structural engineer did the screw pier plan based on his experience of the area without geotec report. two builders out of three prefer concrete piers, one builder took the plan as it is and said he could always check with his engineer and amend it down the track if it’s necessary. For me it is whatever is the best option for the build. As a big reason I’m doing the new build is my current house has subsidence problem, I can’t afford to have the new house with structural problem again. Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 12Oct 18, 2021 4:57 pm boris594 Without meaning to defend the she'll-be-right-mate attitude of many builders who neglect details when talking to customers, I was wondering why specifically would engineering detail affect the CDC approval if the CDC approval doesn't have engineering details on it? Without knowing any better, the builder and architect could be correct in this instance, technically speaking Hi Boris, I’m not sure if you are right about cdc approval doesn’t have engineering details in it. That’s something I need to find out, but I’d assume it does as the architect has been waiting for structural plan and stormwater plan to finish, then told me that we are ready to submit. I will find out. Cheers, Judy Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 13Oct 18, 2021 4:59 pm Savagepuppy Ashington Homes Savagepuppy Hi guys, Just got the structural plan from my architect. Before the plan started I asked the architect if a site visit by the structural engineer was necessary and he said no. Turned out the structural engineer did the plan without a geotech report, and his reason was he did a few jobs in the area, most likely it is sandy soil. So screw piling is the only way. Now my architect is saying I should get a geotech report, which I’m arranging now. And he can either get the current engineer to update the plan once receiving the geotech report, or get a new engineer. As I’m going through CDC, my builder is saying I should go ahead with the plan for CDC approval, and we can always amend the structural plan without any problems even after cdc approval, which seems to be a common practice. Any comments/suggestions? Judy Hi Judy Is your issue that you would prefer concrete piers over screw piles or are you trying to save money by having neither? Just trying to understand what outcome you are hoping for. Cheers Simeon Hi Simon, Thanks for your reply. My issue is the structural engineer did the screw pier plan based on his experience of the area without geotec report. two builders out of three prefer concrete piers, one builder took the plan as it is and said he could always check with his engineer and amend it down the track if it’s necessary. For me it is whatever is the best option for the build. As a big reason I’m doing the new build is my current house has subsidence problem, I can’t afford to have the new house with structural problem again. Judy Thanks for the response. Both are going to work perfectly fine. Screw piles are a lot cheaper then concrete, but they do the same job and it's generally just a preference for which style your preferred builder wants to use, as at the end of the day they give you the structural warranty. Your builder wasn't incorrect in saying that they can update the drawings later if needed, and if they are piering to rock then most wont even bother with a geotech report. But it's always prudent to get one. I am building my own place shortly an as we always pier to rock I wont be spending the money, would rather use that cash to add some extra reo in just to be sure. Sounds like you have it all under control Cheers Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 14Oct 18, 2021 5:01 pm Savagepuppy boris594 Without meaning to defend the she'll-be-right-mate attitude of many builders who neglect details when talking to customers, I was wondering why specifically would engineering detail affect the CDC approval if the CDC approval doesn't have engineering details on it? Without knowing any better, the builder and architect could be correct in this instance, technically speaking Hi Boris, I’m not sure if you are right about cdc approval doesn’t have engineering details in it. That’s something I need to find out, but I’d assume it does as the architect has been waiting for structural plan and stormwater plan to finish, then told me that we are ready to submit. I will find out. Cheers, Judy Structural drawings get stamped as part of the approval along with Hydraulics, landscape, basix etc Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 15Oct 19, 2021 4:43 am Ashington Homes Savagepuppy Hi guys, Just got the structural plan from my architect. Before the plan started I asked the architect if a site visit by the structural engineer was necessary and he said no. Turned out the structural engineer did the plan without a geotech report, and his reason was he did a few jobs in the area, most likely it is sandy soil. So screw piling is the only way. Now my architect is saying I should get a geotech report, which I’m arranging now. And he can either get the current engineer to update the plan once receiving the geotech report, or get a new engineer. As I’m going through CDC, my builder is saying I should go ahead with the plan for CDC approval, and we can always amend the structural plan without any problems even after cdc approval, which seems to be a common practice. Any comments/suggestions? Judy Hi Judy Is your issue that you would prefer concrete piers over screw piles or are you trying to save money by having neither? Just trying to understand what outcome you are hoping for. Cheers Simeon Hi Simeon, Thanks for your response, too. I managed to have a chat with the geotech engineer today, and he said that he would recommend raft slab or screw piles for the area. Is raft slab different from concrete pier again? The geotec engineer believes that the builders prefer concrete pier because they can do it themselves, but they most likely need to subcontract screw piling company to do screw piling, so they won’t make money themselves from the footing. My architect now seems to think it’s necessary to get the geotech report done so that there is no variation on the footing when it comes to signing the contract with the builder. Where are you building at? It’s good that you know what you are doing. I don’t have it all under control, in fact , I don’t know much about construction. And because of my current structural problem, it’s important for me to get the new foundation right. Good luck with your new build. Cheers, Judy Re: Screw piling chosen without the geotech report 16Oct 19, 2021 4:45 am Ashington Homes Savagepuppy boris594 Without meaning to defend the she'll-be-right-mate attitude of many builders who neglect details when talking to customers, I was wondering why specifically would engineering detail affect the CDC approval if the CDC approval doesn't have engineering details on it? Without knowing any better, the builder and architect could be correct in this instance, technically speaking Hi Boris, I’m not sure if you are right about cdc approval doesn’t have engineering details in it. That’s something I need to find out, but I’d assume it does as the architect has been waiting for structural plan and stormwater plan to finish, then told me that we are ready to submit. I will find out. Cheers, Judy Structural drawings get stamped as part of the approval along with Hydraulics, landscape, basix etc I thought so too, thanks for the clarification. If what you describe is correct then the brick wall has been dry lined with villa board. That basically means that the villa board is glued to the brick wall with… 3 8300 This certainly doesn't look good. I would be engaging with an independent inspector to have a look at this. As for the unscheduled site visits, most builders are quite… 1 28290 Elvis has left the building... 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