Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Aug 15, 2012 7:32 am Hi, I am hoping someone can help us. We are trying to get an idea on the overall cost difference between building a house with trusses at 600mm centres compared to 900mm centres and battoning the ceiling for plaster(I guess the roofing battons would be closer to for OH&S) Our builder was supposed to build our new home with trusses with 600mm centres as in the contract but placed them at 900mm centres. The builder has admitted to the mistake but is trying to tell us that the cost would have been cheaper if they built them at 600mm as they would have had the plaster screwed directly to the trusses and would not have required metal battons to screw the plaster ceiling to. They are now tring to get us to sign a variation to the contract to make it 900mm centres with no cost difference. The house is a single story approx 35 squares internally plus 600mm eaves around the entire home. We would have thought the cost of an extra truss per 1800mm over the entire home would far out cost of adding metal ceiling battons. Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 2Aug 15, 2012 8:11 am Graham B Hi, I am hoping someone can help us. We are trying to get an idea on the overall cost difference between building a house with trusses at 600mm centres compared to 900mm centres and battoning the ceiling for plaster(I guess the roofing battons would be closer to for OH&S) Our builder was supposed to build our new home with trusses with 600mm centres as in the contract but placed them at 900mm centres. The builder has admitted to the mistake but is trying to tell us that the cost would have been cheaper if they built them at 600mm as they would have had the plaster screwed directly to the trusses and would not have required metal battons to screw the plaster ceiling to. They are now tring to get us to sign a variation to the contract to make it 900mm centres with no cost difference. The house is a single story approx 35 squares internally plus 600mm eaves around the entire home. We would have thought the cost of an extra truss per 1800mm over the entire home would far out cost of adding metal ceiling battons. It's 50% more materials (or 33% less depending how you look at it). My only concern would be "is it strong enough"... IMO ask them to pay for an independent engineer's report. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 3Aug 15, 2012 9:19 am Would have to agree with Ed. My main concern is will the roof be strong enough. If with a colourbond roof it should be fine, however if a tile roof I would have serious doubts. I definately would be looking to the engineering specs provided by the builder. That will have the correct specification that he has to use. The builder cannot just vary the the truss spacing because he made a mistake. Get the builder to fix it. It simply is not good enough. Settlement 1/2/12 New Shed 23/3/12 Slab poured 27/3/12 Frame complete 4/5/12 Roof complete 1/6/12 LOCKUP 29/6/12 Our new build blog http://kareenhillsownerbuild.blogspot.com/ Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 4Aug 15, 2012 10:01 am Hi, The roof is colorbond so I am sure it is strong enough, it is more the cost issue I think. It is a bit late now to have it fixed as it is at fitout stage know, I have had Branko from Build-Expert do a fixing stage inspection and the only thing he said was that they should reinburse me the cost of the trusses which was in his report which I gave the builder and they have told me it is more expensive to build at 900mm centre with the metal battons for plastering. Is this true?? I can not see how materials and including labour costs that this could be true. Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 5Aug 15, 2012 10:50 am Graham B Hi, The roof is colorbond so I am sure it is strong enough, it is more the cost issue I think. It is a bit late now to have it fixed as it is at fitout stage know, I have had Branko from Build-Expert do a fixing stage inspection and the only thing he said was that they should reinburse me the cost of the trusses which was in his report which I gave the builder and they have told me it is more expensive to build at 900mm centre with the metal battons for plastering. Is this true?? I can not see how materials and including labour costs that this could be true. Sorry, I have no idea... but you would wonder why they would use a more expensive method... Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 6Aug 15, 2012 11:21 am It is funny if they have used a method they are saying is more expensive they have not charged you the additional cost, generally they would pass that straight to you. Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 7Aug 15, 2012 11:32 am Very funny, but you know builders. Make it as cheaply as possible hence why they made it at 900mm centres to start with I think They didnt read the contract or didnt care then tell the owner that it is more expensive to save the fix/cost. Suprised they havn't charged me if what they tell me is true. Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 8Aug 15, 2012 2:51 pm 600 centres and no batons will cost more. However where they will be saving is on time. Personally given the circumstance the only way i would be excepting this and I think it is a better finish anyway is to have laser leveled batons installed throughout the houseand garage, and not just batons. I reckon this is a fair deal. Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 9Aug 15, 2012 8:54 pm Would have to agree with B STAR. Personally do not like plaster directly fixed to trusses. You get a much better finish using battens. Settlement 1/2/12 New Shed 23/3/12 Slab poured 27/3/12 Frame complete 4/5/12 Roof complete 1/6/12 LOCKUP 29/6/12 Our new build blog http://kareenhillsownerbuild.blogspot.com/ Re: Cost of 600mm centre Trusses VS 900mm centres 10Aug 15, 2012 10:30 pm We used to put the trusses at 1200 centers then batten the ceiling with furring channel. The only problem ever encountered was the 4' gap between them made it hard for short arses like myself. 900 centers and furring channel will give you a better finished ceiling than 600 centers with the sheets screwed straight to the truss. My daughter and son in law are about to start building, they are having a 600mm induction cook top and 900mm oven. It's personal preferance 5 10866 Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 17682 |