Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 07, 2011 12:30 pm The land we are building on is located on a slope so we need retaining walls. According to our land contract the cost of the retaining wall is to be covered by the "owner of the burdened land". We are a bit unsure as to what block would be the burdened land. Would it be the block above or below? Or is a retaining wall like a fence and cost should be 50/50? Also can anyone recommend a cheap but decent landscaper and fencer(timber fence) in Sydney Thanks Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 2Jan 07, 2011 12:53 pm Not 100% sure of this, but I have heard that the retaining wall is the responsibilty of the person who alters the level of the land. I take that to mean that if you have to cut down the land on the boundary, the retaining wall would be your responsibilty, or if you need to raise the level on one side, the retaining wall for that would be up to you. But then, the wording of your contract could mean different. Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 3Jan 11, 2011 12:05 pm Retaining walls can't get located "ON" the boundary and so won't be a shared responsibility. They will have to be about 300mm off the boundary to either side. If you need to retain because you are building up the ground or excavating below the natural ground level then you will be the one responsible for retaining the ground. Any retaining wall that has to hold up ground of more that 600mm MUST be Engineer designed(not a drafts person, a qualified Civil Engineer). This can add a significant extra cost as the engineer will Charge for the design (ours was $450) and they may specify shorter center measurements (more upright posts) and also thicker posts (std gal steel is 100mm for 75mm sleepers) perhaps up to 150mm gal steel with 150mm thick sleepers.This can add an extra 40% onto the cost of the wall. Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 4Jan 12, 2011 12:02 pm Thanks. I'm still a bit confused. We need a retaining wall on both sides. Generally speaking, should we be paying for the one on the higher side or the lower side? We have all had to cut into the land. Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 5Jan 12, 2011 3:02 pm You would have to pay to retain any land that you cut into, and any part of the land you fill. Your neighbours would have to do the same. 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: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 6Jan 13, 2011 1:54 pm Sounds like you need to cut on one side and fill on the other. This will mean that you will be paying for both. Retaining walls are not like fences, where in most ares the 2 neighboring owners share the cost. the walss have to be clearly on one side of the boundary. Whoeve'rs property they are on pays. They are alos responsible for any engineering required and will be responsible if they aren't up to scratch and cause land fall damage (sinking footings from soil falling away etc...) If you can post some photos of the site we may be able to give a better idea Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 7Jan 17, 2011 8:22 pm Old topic, but have similar query re costs of retaining walls and responsibility for guards against soil erosion, etc. Neighbouring property was same height prior to their build, but now sits 30cms above ours. Our site report states that any building on our property must ensure water is not allowed to pool around the build. Since neighbours completed their build we now have a large trench of water down side of house, and their house site is 30cm above our level, making our site and house susceptible to all their site run-off. How do we go about ensuring they put a suitable retaining wall and storm-water management system in place before we have to deal with the inevitable soil dispersion and water damage? Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 8Jan 18, 2011 7:03 am Given that they are going to be your neighbour, try asking them? The last thing you want is a dispute with your neighbours. They may not even be aware that it has happened. All they probably need to do is put in a aggie drain or similar. They may even plan / be in the process of putting something in. If they refuse and it does get out of hand, your well in your rights to dispute it. But you will probably end up in the courts. Once again, I wouldn't want a relationship like that with a new neighbour. Re: Retaining Wall Cost - Who is Responsible? 9Jan 18, 2011 9:47 am the_milesy Given that they are going to be your neighbor, try asking them? The last thing you want is a dispute with your neighbors. They may not even be aware that it has happened. All they probably need to do is put in a aggie drain or similar. They may even plan / be in the process of putting something in. If they refuse and it does get out of hand, your well in your rights to dispute it. But you will probably end up in the courts. Once again, I wouldn't want a relationship like that with a new neighbor. This^^^^^^^ As a land owner you are responsible for water thats falls on and runs off that piece of land. Better to talk to neighbors first and try to sort things out before letting problems arise and get out of and. It might be something their builder/contractor has to rectify. FYI retaining walls under 600mm above ground (in Vic) do not require engineer designing, but they still require adequate drainage installed Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 5179 Thanks for the insights, that makes perfect sense, and yeah, I will be leaning on the experience of the excavator operator entirely. 6 16141 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 6903 |