Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Dec 30, 2010 8:33 pm Hi, Hopefully I am posting this in the right spot. I am nearing the end of the building of my house and the serious decisions start. The land development that I am building in is a "step down" configuration and it is looking like I will have to put in a mini retaining wall like this one: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ A photo of the front of the house (as you are looking at the photo, right hand side (I assume the the neighbour on my left will have to do the same)): Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ . My question is.... what is the protocol for who pays the cost of the retaining wall...share or my responsibility (is it similar to building a fence???) Any help would be grateful (trying to fix my budget)... Thanks in advance Re: Help needed... Who pays the cost of a retaining wall?? 2Dec 30, 2010 8:51 pm Hi, in most areas it is the responsibility of whoever alters the natural contour of the land, ie if you cut or fill then you are resposible to retain that modified area. It can be split, similar to fencing, if the retaining wall is necessary or required by both parties. Re: Help needed... Who pays the cost of a retaining wall?? 3Dec 30, 2010 9:03 pm I agree with Nick H, you alter it you retain it. You would not like to have to pay to retain you neighbours fill. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: Help needed... Who pays the cost of a retaining wall?? 4Dec 30, 2010 9:16 pm Looking at your photographs it looks like you will be responsible for the wall on the right of the picture. The example wall in your photo looks a bit lightweight for what you look to need from the photo. Remember if the wall fails your driveway may be undermined. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Help needed... Who pays the cost of a retaining wall?? 5Dec 31, 2010 9:22 am bashworth The example wall in your photo looks a bit lightweight for what you look to need from the photo. Remember if the wall fails your driveway may be undermined. +1 I reckon that "wall" will be lucky to last a couple of years. I wouldn't even use it for a vegetable box. One other factor is whether the wall is entirely within a property or on the fenceline. I once lived in a house with a sloping retaining wall which was entirely within my property and so entirely my responsibility. Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Help needed... Who pays the cost of a retaining wall?? 6Dec 31, 2010 9:49 am I'd agree with CF - that's not a retaining wall...just a pile of sticks....and you'll be up for a neighborly dispute in a few years. Firstly they've cut the guts out of the horizontals so there is no shear (horizontal in this case) strength length in timbers. The verticals look spindly - they don't even look treated. Generally you would do a step down wall to keep as many solid pieces of timber as possible. Sometimes they may cap it with a taper piece for some sort of "aesthetic" which generally falls off. Personally because of the critical position of the wall...that is, retaining your driveway, I'd go with a proper interlocking retaining brick solution. Strong and durable, and it shouldn't cost too much because of the short length involved. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Help needed... Who pays the cost of a retaining wall?? 7Dec 31, 2010 8:27 pm Thanks for your help everyone.. I agree with you all.... the retaining wall was built for a Home and Land Package developer across from me. I can't believe they made the retaining wall from Pine...yes not hard wood I am looking at a concrete type retaining wall... something like this (they say "The ideal alternative to traditional timer sleeper walls. They won't rot, warp or burn, eliminate maintenance and what's more, they're light weight and easy to install.": http://www.durawall.com.au/ Thanks again for your help. Hi All, I engaged a tradie to install concrete retaining wall 600-800mm high over 32 meters in Victoria. Sleepers are 200*75*2000 mm installed over 17 steel posts. I… 0 6917 Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 5191 Thanks for your reply! All valid points and I agree with you on many of them. I am in QLD, any recommendations on a construction lawyer would be helpful 3 2643 |