Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Mar 24, 2016 12:52 pm My highset house has developed a number cracks and door frames shifting. There are also some cracks in the foundation. Do I need a structural engineer or a builder to assess this problem? Most structural engineers cost several hundreds just to do the assessment. I just want to know how to fix it. Can I go straight to a builder or foundation /stump professional instead? What trade would be best placed to do this sort of thing? Re: Assess cracks - builder or engineer? 2Mar 24, 2016 1:25 pm Get a copy of the original engineering drawings from either the builder or the ones that were submitted with your DA and take these to an independent structural engineer. The builder more often than not will try to baffle you with bull$hit. Stewie Re: Assess cracks - builder or engineer? 3Mar 24, 2016 11:43 pm Engineer, builder will not tell you how to fix it they will rely on an engineer, I know this cause I'm builder Re: Assess cracks - builder or engineer? 4Mar 25, 2016 10:02 am Hi Crackhaus (LOL..Do I look for the shoes? just kidding) If you put/hoist up some photos I am sure folks will comment & try to assist before you spend big bucks! Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Assess cracks - builder or engineer? 5Mar 25, 2016 10:21 am Most engineers will charge in the vicinity of $200/hr. Cheap compared to an accountant or lawyer, considering we've done the same amount of university, have to be registered like them, and have huge levels of liability. Anyway, for a few hundred bucks or so you'll get a fairly categorical solution that you can then take to a builder, and someone qualified who will take legal liability for that solution. And as others have said, most circumspect builders will come out and have look and tell you to get an engineer's report anyway. All the best with it - with any luck hopefully it's just a result of some minor natural settlement and not anything too major.
There's a saying I really like: "There's nothing more unreliable than unremunerated advice" Re: Assess cracks - builder or engineer? 6Mar 25, 2016 10:28 am If you're concerned enough photos posted on here and the opinions of people who have no skin in the game are not going to work for you. Get and engineer, tell your builder what you're going to do but don't let them ofer to pay for it until you have the engineers report. Re: Assess cracks - builder or engineer? 7Mar 25, 2016 10:43 am Crackhaus My highset house has developed a number cracks and door frames shifting. There are also some cracks in the foundation. Do I need a structural engineer or a builder to assess this problem? Most structural engineers cost several hundreds just to do the assessment. I just want to know how to fix it. Can I go straight to a builder or foundation /stump professional instead? What trade would be best placed to do this sort of thing? You have not indicated whether your house is still under builder's warranty or is an older home and there may be more than one reason why the house is cracking and moving. As a first step I would be asking for quotations from experienced underpinning contractors however you need to keep in mind that they may and try to overdoo the solution(for financial gain). It is true that they will engage their own engineer if they get the job but it is also true that they work with it every day and have experience. You should be prepared to pay good money for top advice, you would not blink if your lawyer told you $500/hr to get you out of trouble so why would you want cheap advice for saving your biggest investment? Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog The engineering is the engineering. It's irrelevant how much material you have. Unless it fits the requirements of your design the engineer can't "make"it work. You might… 7 9693 3 6414 The spacing of the studs looks pretty large especially for a load bearing wall. 3 11122 |