Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 06, 2020 10:15 pm Hello everyone I was hoping to get peoples view on what I am proposing to do. Thank you in advance We have a 15.5x60m block in Heidelberg (going a knockdown rebuild) The block has 5m fall from over 60mtrs and around 2.5 mtrs across the building envelope proposed by most builders I have gone to tender with POrter Davis and another medium builder....but essentially what they are doing is cutting into the ground (which I am fine with ) but leaving a 1.6mtr retaining wall at the back very close to the house or a long batter...I wanted the big block for my 4&1 year old to play in....so I am considering creating a level, elevated pad at the back....my site costs excluding the cost at the flat pad at the back has been quoted at 106 to 130k Another 70k for creating a level block at the back...independent quotes from reputable earth works companies have come in at around 100k for the whole lot both front and back...so I am considering doing my own site costs.... Is there a reason not to....what are the pitfalls....what should I be vary of...anyone with experience doing this.... Any help is much appreciated. Thank you Re: Considering doing my own site cut 2Jun 08, 2020 2:42 pm Hi hateserapiglia, I expect builders to be cautious about clients performing their own preliminary site works. Not only do they miss out on any profit from these site works they are still responsible for structural performance of the house they subsequently build. However, now is a good time to negotiate. I would look to negotiate undertaking the preliminary site works under the supervision of their chosen engineer. A more thorough geo-technical report may also be required over and above a standard soil report. Good Luck Shack Re: Considering doing my own site cut 3Jun 09, 2020 7:36 am Thank you Shack - appreciate the response. It is a tricky one. All weekend I have been busy getting quotes. For 3 independent parties, I have now received quotes of 80-90k. looking at my original post, i had made a mistake - my builder for the site works including the flat pads has quoted 159k (i miscalculated all the components). so the savings are substantial Quotes I have got is cost of earth works - $6-7k cost of removing around 1300 cubes of soil (uncompacted so around 670 insitu) around 25-30k. this calculation is based on assuming the earth removed is a square whereas given the land is a gentle slope, I would expect this dirt to be much less. cost of building 85sqm of retaining walls - 35-37k Timber and plus 8k for concrete the earthworks and removal guys will provide guarantee the cut is to builders levels else they will fix it One option proposed is to bench it and get the builder to do the minor shaping so although the builder will lose on profits, I just see the 160k quote to be excessive. Also at builders quote, it makes the project unviable for me. My contracted price for the build will be ~690-710k so am hoping to press to the builder he is better off taking a reasonable margin on the site cut and making margin on the build else there is no project Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Considering doing my own site cut 4Jun 09, 2020 9:57 am Hi hateserapiglia There are a number of issues 1. Who owns copyright, if you own copyright, and have the engineering data and information for pricing then firm up the prices atm without the engineering they are just guesstimates and would more than likely increase? 2.If the builder owns copyright, then it's highly unlikely he will allow you to undertake the site works even if you are able to optimise and reduce the cost of the retaining 3.You also require proper drawings, ie construction , cross sections and engineering details,etc unfortunately a 2D site plan doesn't make thing easy for owners to understand. 4 The builders modus operandi is what it is, Site plan at Planning (DA), Engineering at Building Application (BA). The builder draws (excuse the pun) you further into the process, the costs increase to a point of no return/withdrawal without loosing money,time and copyright. 5.That is the reason I advocate 3D Bim Design, Data & Engineering on difficult complex builds here, pity you didn't see this post 2 years ago Slab and formwork Costs 6. I'll add, I get enquires every week to optimise engineering builds and costs, no can do if it infringes copyright Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Considering doing my own site cut 5Jun 09, 2020 10:22 am Thank you very much Chris. I really appreciate this. Look I still OK in terms of commitment i.e. I will lose 4k (although will hurt, I can be OK with it). We initially went with Porter Davis and what was not expected was they were OK for me to cut the land and present it to them based on their proposed site cuts - no engineering as yet from anyone though I am frantically looking at your suggested post now. I really appreciate you responding to my PM and reviewing this post Re: Considering doing my own site cut 6Jun 09, 2020 10:38 am You will make the $4K up when you get 3 Builders to sharpen their quoting pencil on your own design Be mindful salesman aren't engineers,they are there to sign up deals by telling you whatever you want to hear. Simply put, they are allowed to make mistakes, they aren't experts, but clients will always pay by virtue of the contract which favours the builder. BTW, 3D Bim is a great negotiating tool as well, everyone can see and check the data and what's involved... no body wants to make mistakes and loose money worse still get a sh!t and non compliant Build to boot Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Considering doing my own site cut 7Jun 10, 2020 11:00 pm I tried to call up a few joints to see if they would undertake this for me. So far, most only do it for larger commercial projects and mine is a piddly resi job we heard from the builder we want to go with and he is amenable to us doing the site cuts and he undertakes a feature survey post that he will provide us with the engineering needed for the cuts and the retaining walls. I am looking to engage 2 companies - one that does the site cut and soil disposal (I have 1200-1400 cubes of soil (uncompacted) - second that specialize in building retaining walls to de-risk myself, I am going with reputable larger firms (will pay 5% more but I see it as insurance as they work for Porter Davis, Metricon etc and will guarantee the site cuts will be precise) big leap of faith for me as I ahve never done something like this (I am a banker by trade) so it will be interesting Re: Considering doing my own site cut 8Jun 10, 2020 11:28 pm Have you considered engaging a company to only do the preliminary site works, ie site cut and soil disposal and using the builder for the remaining site works including retaining walls. The reason for suggesting this is that effective site drainage is so important for future slab / foundation performance. You don't want to be in the middle of a building company / retaining wall company finger pointing exercise if there ever happens to be a problem in the years ahead. With your P site classification has the builder confirmed the pricing for the slab/foundation upgrade ? I see you are also planning to build a pool close to the house in the future. Has the builder placed any special conditions around this. Re: Considering doing my own site cut 9Jun 11, 2020 1:42 am Hi Shack That is a fair point and one of my key concerns - I did think about just benching the site and builder complete the final cut I am getting the engineering done by the builder and getting the site cut and retaining walls done as per those requirements Although it does not de risk me from the finger pointing, I am Relying on the fact I am using top tier contractors But really appreciate your point PM me your email. I have a build excavation calculator you can use based on your plans to double check what your builder is telling you. Cheers Simeon 1 8018 The DIY project can be broken into two major steps. Planning and Design and Construction. Both of these steps are as important as one another to ensure you give… 0 4520 Hi group, have some damage to the door frame and skirting board. It's a side door to the laundry area. Only has a security door. I had a termite inspection (note drill… 0 4130 |