Knockdown & Rebuild vs Renovation

Thanks for that. Just to clarify, the architect hired isn’t intended to fix the site foundation issue. It’s more to maximise our site. So it’s more design. But I take your point regarding the engineer. That’s my aim currently. Thanks again

You r Welcome, You might want to also consider having the Builder/Trades re-tender on your final engineering
This process has become popular in unit, high rise and commercial projects, Clients & Developers love it, builders and trades loath it, as prices get screwed down, either way make sure the build is properly inspected by your engineer. hth

I went to a display home, I show my current home floor plan to them and asked them for a price range. My house is a double story, 4 bedrooms, plus one study & 3 living rooms, the guy told me it would cost around 450,000. Their base price is 320,000. Upgrade cost 70,000. Site cost is 30,000. Demolition cost is 15,000. The builder is smart home, and they can custom build anything. If I go ahead, they charge 6000 dollars first for artichect drawing, site check, etc. The 6000 will be offset once I start to build with them. They are not volume builders.

Have u asked for more quotes? Your build sound expensive.

I went to Porter Davis display home in Greenvale, the display home has 5 bedrooms, every room has it own bathroom, the total building cost is around 800,000. Is your house fall into this style?

Mscat, do you remember the model? We won't be looking to build an ensuite for every room in the house. But we are aiming to have 6 bedrooms .

Is the Hampton style.

Ah ok. Definitely not Hampton style

A builder told me nowadays most builders apply foam to the concrete slab in order to save cost, do u know how your builder do the slab? If they charge that much to build your house, make sure they do everything top of the range.

Thank you for the heads up. I'll keep an eye out for that and will certainly report it. I'm almost at the point where I'll be sending a design (from Builder 1) for estimation. This will be interesting.

Hi,
How much did Latitude37 quote you?

Sent you a message

I've just got a Geotech and structural work fee proposal. Does anyone see any issues with this engineering service proposal? Thanks in advance. Given my experience with geotech / structural issues with the current house, I'm not taking any chances. Any help would be much appreciated.



SCOPE OF WORK:
Based upon the above-mentioned communication and the supplied drawings, the scope of works, and basis of our Lump Sum price for the Geotechnical Investigation and Structural Engineering Design is as follows:

ENGINEERING SERVICES.
GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
Site Investigation and Report on the following:
• • Three (3) boreholes to 1.50 - 2.0 meters deep.

Note: - That a geotechnical site investigation re-test may also be required following demolition works.
Client is responsible to identify, on site, the location of any existing underground utilities or services. A plan shall be provided to this office, upon acceptance of this quote, clearly identifying locations on the site where soil testing can be safely undertaken. Alternatively, a specialist service locator can be engaged at additional cost to locate any utilities or services.
NB: <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED> will use its best efforts to avoid any utilities or services on site but accepts no liability whatsoever for any damage and subsequent repairs that may occur if:
• • Soil testing is carried out in the locations indicated on the above client supplied plan or
• • The above plan is not provided or
• • A specialist service locator is not engaged

STRUCTURAL WORKS
Design & documentation of the following:
• • Slab Design (Waffle or Raft).
• • First Floor Framing Design.
• • Roof Framing Design.
• • Wall Bracing Design.
• • Structural Certification for all structural components listed in scope of works.

For the purpose of this proposal we have excluded from the scope to be undertaken by <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED>, the following:
• Any works not specifically noted in scope of works
• Waste management plan (WMP)
• Stair Design
• Front Fence Design
• Pool / Spa Design
• Civil Design
• Soil Testing and Site Classification
• Issuing or any works regarding forms 3 & 4, including any required documentation
• Planning approval or any changes to planning approval requirements.
• Pier protection barriers/collision walls unless specifically noted in the scope of works
• Lighting structures and signs structures unless specifically noted
• Hydraulic analysis unless specifically noted in the scope of works above
• Existing structures unless specifically noted in the scope of works above
• Existing structures geometry and level checks
• Review of electrical circuits/programming and the like
• Review of existing & proposed utility services
• Acoustic modeling/review
• Construction staging (unless specifically noted)
• Inspection or certification of the constructed works, as constructed drawings
• Specialist construction techniques
• Checking proprietary items
• Site inspections or construction supervision, except as noted
• Variations arising from changes to the architectural requirements
• Energy Efficiency Assessment
• Fire Service Design
• Design of floor and/or roof trusses
Please note that this office, upon request, can provide a separate fee proposal for the items listed above.

3. METHODOLOGY

The following methodology will be adopted in undertaking the above scope of services:
• • Conduct the associated SOW detailed design in accordance with the requirements of the BCA and associated standards.
• • Our offer is based upon <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED> being provided all relevant design documentation such as architectural plans, MOCS outputs which can be relied upon to not change or require further significant design development.
• Upon being appointed to the project <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED> will initiate structural design documentation to concept phase. • Hold point – client to approve concept design documentation.

• NB: Any changes to the concept design caused by the client, architect, building surveyor or any other client control consultant, following hold point release of the concept design by will be considered abortive work and <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED> will require a variation approval prior to proceeding with additional work.


• Following the approval of the “concept” design, <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED> will develop the design to an ‘Issued for Construction’ Stage.
• • A, <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED>, independent Engineer will check all structural design elements, which provide the basis for certification.

4. DELIVERABLES
Deliverables to be provided by <ENGINEERING FIRM - NAME REMOVED> include:
• • One (1) PDF copy of the written site investigation report, including bore log of soil conditions, site sketch and allowable soil bearing capacities with recommendations for new footings.
• • One (1) PDF copy of all Structural Work, Documentation including structural design certification in accordance with BCA requirements.
•

Most of those exclusions should be inclusions?
The problem is builders don't wish to pay an Engineer for those items ie Structural Trusses, Structural Floors, Fire services?
I would have thought with all the problems Victoria/NSW are having with Flammable Cladding (about to bankrupt those states), Here
Stalemate leaving fire-prone ticking time bombs around Australia
Engineering Inclusions for details, Inspections, Compliance checks... etc should be increasing... not decreasing
OT, WA has the best Engineering Checks and Certifications systems and the least number death trap apartments

Hi how is the project going?