Concrete slab vs bearers/joists/footings

wordsalad · Mar 23, 2010 8:46 am

We've got a structural engineer coming out next week for construction design of a rear extension of our existing house. Apparently the new part can either be a concrete slab, or bearers/joists on footings (as we have adequate ventilation) but I have no idea what the cost difference might be and the engineer said the concrete would be "somewhat" more expensive. The area is approx 80sq m. We much prefer the feel of concrete, although the rest of the house is bearers/joists so that would be ok. Does anyone have any idea of what costs we might be looking at, or how I might find out? (Don't exactly have a whole bunch of builders in my phone!) I don't even know what a slab would cost! Also - any benefits of either option? Thanks.

Nightshade · Mar 23, 2010 8:53 am

We're going through the same thought process. We wanted steel frame but it's proving to be VERY expensive so now looking concrete. We're also only just high enough to do bearers and hanging joists. A lot of ppl that don't have enough height seem to go concrete. We're still waiting on pricing though....

onc_artisan · Mar 23, 2010 10:05 am

wordsalad - difficult to make a guess without detail of the design, but 80 sq mtrs would be around $12000.
That is for conc, mesh, plastic, chairs, placement, but doesn't include site works.