Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Aug 16, 2010 1:27 pm Hi, I am having major dramas with my builder at the moment, and due to this being the first time that I have built a home, I have no idea who to contact or whether it is even common. Our house is now at the final stages and almost ready for handover, but my partner and I found the following problems last week; Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We have reo protruding from the whole left side of our house. We asked the builder to rectify this problem, and so far they have done the following to engineer specifications. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ These pins are going to be boxed in with concrete down the left hand side of the house. Basically I am going to have an ugly strip of concrete down the left hand side of my house which is going to interfere with the paths I have put in and everything, AND the downpipes now go down the sides of the walls of the house and around this extra strip of concrete. Number 2 issue is that because of these problems with the reo, we got a private building inspector to come out to the house and make sure everything was up to standard. There are a few problems with walls being level etc, but the main issue he came across is the slab being 'over the ritcher' in dampness (we started building in FEB). The builder has agreed to putting down waterproofing so my floorboards dont bow, but even he admitted the slab shouldnt have been that damp! So I am now in the position of having handover this Friday and I am terribly distressed over accepting what they have done. All these changes the builder has made- we havent signed anything on. The master builder of the company has also now gone overseas for a few months, and there is no one there to deal with this dispute (this is a small builder). Has anyone else been through a similar issue as mine? Had the house not built to exactly what you wanted? Who deals with these issues? Thankyou in advance! Re: HELP PLEASE 2Aug 16, 2010 2:06 pm Not that it would help. However I would be interested to know who approved the slab prioir to pour. There is a reason why the slab needs to be inspected prior to pour, and why all chairs and steel need to be put in place to avoid this from happening. Re: HELP PLEASE 9Aug 16, 2010 3:28 pm I suggest you get an independant structural engineer to review and get hold of a solicitor. Re: HELP PLEASE 11Aug 16, 2010 3:31 pm I agree with Eve.... Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: HELP PLEASE 12Aug 16, 2010 5:40 pm Ok, So I rang the approval place where the initial slab inspection was done, and the guy who had been to my house on Friday said that the; "Plastic was wrapped too tightly around the slab- therefore causing the reo to stick out- but they are rectifing it, so it wont be an issue' I then asked him about the fact that my partner can stick his whole arm up to his elbow underneath the slab, in the sections where the reo is protruding and now the builder has filled those holes with concrete" To which he told me he would speak to the man who designed the slab, and get back to me. I am getting so upset over this... I should be looking forward to moving into my brand new home friday.. instead I am dealing with this..... Re: HELP PLEASE 14Aug 16, 2010 8:54 pm xavesmum Thankyou everyone for your replies. Eve- is the damp proof course the plastic around the slab? No, the plastic in your pics is under ths slab (normal) Damp proofing is a membrane between the brickwork and foundation which is in contact with earth / moisture. In your case the slab footing (where the bricks touch) should be at ground cut level. The bricks then normally have a membrae which stops the moisture from being drawn up the brick work. Re: HELP PLEASE 15Aug 16, 2010 11:12 pm oh xavesmum, you poor thing. This must be very stressful for you. I agree with Eves advice - get someone independent to have a look and don't sign off on anything or pay them anything until you are happy that all the problems have been fixed. Good luck Albi Re: HELP PLEASE 16Aug 17, 2010 2:11 am Don't stress to much. It's not ideal that the reo is exposed the way it is. It may have slipped off the bar chairs when they were pouring your slab forcing it to the bottom of the footing. However the builder looks as though they are taking the appropriate steps to rectify the situation. They have epoxied the starter bars into the side of the slab and as long as they get some coverage around the original reo (so it isn't in contact with the ground and then prone to rust) when they pour the additional concrete it should all be fine. If possible it isn't a bad idea to have the reo that is exposed rust treated and coated to prevent further rusting and possible issues. The ground level will usually be level with the top of concrete footing so once it has been back filled it shouldn't be noticeable. As far as damp proof course, depending on what has been used you wont see it anyway. Dosn't hurt to ask but it is usually between the first and second brick and will be inside the cavity. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: HELP PLEASE 17Aug 17, 2010 4:36 am In the last pic it looks as though they purposely finished the slab there using a plastic wrap on the siding.You can see the roundness on the bottom of the slab where it slopes up. It also appears as though they built the side forming under and above the rio to do the job. Not that i know much about slab forming.looks weird Re: HELP PLEASE 18Aug 17, 2010 3:12 pm So today I went into see the builder, and he no longer wants to talk to me until walkthrough of the house this Friday. The downpipes were the main reason for wanting to talk to the builder this morning, because the water is pooling around the slab base. I asked nicely if he could put the downpipes in, because of this, and because of the water eroding the dirt away from the base and it is getting under the slab. I spoke to the slab engineer this morning about the water getting under the slab, and the severe wetness of the slab, and he was extremely concerned. Why couldnt this be an easier process? Re: HELP PLEASE 19Aug 17, 2010 3:19 pm The reo sticking out the side of the slab at right angles has been put in after. It is chemically anchored into the side of the slab. The concern is the reo in the first pictures where it runs parallel with the footings. As mentioned, this happens from time to time and as long as it is dealt with properly it isn't a big deal. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: HELP PLEASE 20Aug 17, 2010 3:22 pm ^^^What about the cavities forming under the slab itself chippy? Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Thankyou so much 😀 I've decided on White on white for doors and trims, White on white 50% on ceiling and Mt buller for walls. Fingers crossed it will look OK 😀 2 3622 i had the my concreters concrete right up to the fence. I have pits all along my path, so the water tends to drain away from the house and into the pits. There's only one… 7 9697 All 3 items listed are defects and are of concern. Please seek qualified independent inspector and/or legal advice for your state. 1 6297 |