Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Aug 09, 2015 12:57 pm Hi Everyone, Long story short - when we turfed our backyard we stuffed up and made the soil level too high (noob mistake). The top of our grass is approx. the height of the bottom of the weep holes in the brickwork. We realised this a few months after laying the turf when we had our annual termite inspection. So I need the backyard excavated down approx. 125mm (75mm down + 50mm or so for topsoil). Backyard is 90m² in a nice L-shape. Access can only be by cutting away/removing a panel of timber lapped/capped fencing on the side of yard (block next door is vacant for now). I have one quote so far for $1700 which includes excavation and soil removal - Does anyone know if this is reasonable? I have to get this done ASAP before they start building next door and block my access.. so I can't spend too long trying to get quotes. Otherwise I will have to do it by hand. Last pic below shows the grass height where it should be vs. where it is. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 2Aug 09, 2015 2:25 pm Doesn't sound too bad to me. If you hired a dingo in Melbourne, it would be around $190 a day plus the cost of the bins for soil (27 cubic metres worth by the time you allow for 40% soil expansion) and transport if you don't have a towbar. Also, you might need to do the bit by the house by hand to protect the bricks etc. Are you going to remove and relay the turf? However, get more than one quote to be safe. Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 3Aug 09, 2015 3:28 pm I don't think its worth trying to pull up the turf.. there's only around $500 worth in the backyard. Doing by hand would be a huge job and it might not even survive... if I hire a turf cutter I'm guessing it will almost cost as much as buying new turf. I just want a clean canvas to start again. Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 5Aug 10, 2015 10:52 am B STAR Leave it. The ground will settle by an easy 2 inches over a couple of years. Has anyone else experienced how far the ground settles? The termite inspector has noted in his annual reports that we have to lower the ground level or install a mowing strip next to the house. Waiting 2 years is ignoring his instructions. Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 6Aug 10, 2015 12:37 pm H Goodlife, 1. how long has the Lawn already been siting there? 2. How many inches of fill was placed under the lawn? 3. Is the reason for making it lower to satisfy the termite barrier or the weep hole drainage issue. Personally I wouldn't have soil right up against the house like that. My first preference would be for a concrete path or similar. Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 7Aug 10, 2015 1:41 pm B STAR H Goodlife, 1. how long has the Lawn already been siting there? 2. How many inches of fill was placed under the lawn? 3. Is the reason for making it lower to satisfy the termite barrier or the weep hole drainage issue. Personally I wouldn't have soil right up against the house like that. My first preference would be for a concrete path or similar. Hi B Star, 1. Lawn has been there 3 months. Its been a cold winter and hasn't needed a cut yet despite lots of watering/rain. 2. We only added about 50mm of topsoil. The rest of the soil has been there since we bought the block 2 years ago. 3. Both. My understanding is that 75mm clearance is required for both termite guard and damp proof course/weepholes. The bottom of our weepholes are at the same level as the termite guard/DPC. Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 8Aug 10, 2015 8:39 pm Have you protected your slab edge with a water barrier? I would be concerned having grass against the slab if it is not protected. Slab moisture can cause lots of expensive problems if left. BLOG: http://www.ourphoenix38.blogspot.com.au H1 THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70454 Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 9Aug 11, 2015 9:53 am Shambini Have you protected your slab edge with a water barrier? I would be concerned having grass against the slab if it is not protected. Slab moisture can cause lots of expensive problems if left. Hi Shambini, No we haven't. Can you please provide an example of what you are referring to? And is it required or just an extra optional precaution? Re: Quote for backyard Excavation - Reasonable? 10Aug 11, 2015 12:54 pm GoodLife Shambini Have you protected your slab edge with a water barrier? I would be concerned having grass against the slab if it is not protected. Slab moisture can cause lots of expensive problems if left. Hi Shambini, No we haven't. Can you please provide an example of what you are referring to? And is it required or just an extra optional precaution? The process is called Tanking. You apply a liquid membrane with a paint brush. Slab edge protection is not critical but there is a stronger case when you have grass, soil etc against the slab. You can also apply a plastic barrier against the slab edge similar to the standard DPC. BLOG: http://www.ourphoenix38.blogspot.com.au H1 THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70454 Hmmm, I have checked your past posts and it seems that you are in NSW, not WA as I had thought. It pays to show your State in your avatar. Retaining wall regulations… 5 7850 No one can give you a meaningful answer without looking at your building contract, what happened on site and who designed your house You should get experienced building… 1 10202 Hi there, We’ve recently had plans approved to add a 1st storey addition to our existing house for a growing family in Sydney. With the current cost of building… 0 4294 |