Browse Forums Paving & Concreting 1 Apr 17, 2012 7:39 am I have a bit of a challenge and I need some help. We are building a new project home with Allworth Homes. The design itself is great but as you know some project builders don't cope well with variations. My wife has bad knees so as part of our home we are having a lift. This requires a shaft, 1500mls by 1800mls. Allworth have incorporated this into the house plans and I am appreciative that they were prepared to do that. However, the lift company requires that there be a drop down at the bottom of the lift shaft of 120mls. In other words, the rectangular area at the bottom of the lift shaft needs to be set down 120mls from the floor level. Since the house is being built on a slab, this means that there needs to be an area width 1500mls by length 1800mls set down 120mls from the level of the rest of the slab. Allworth have said they cannot do that. Does any body know: 1. Is what I am asking very difficult? 2. Since my home builder can't or won't do it, can I get this area cut out of the slab AFTER the house is finished? Are there companies that will cut neatly into a concrete slab without damaging the area around the cut out? How much might this cost? Any help would be appreciated. Re: Recess in a house slab 2Apr 17, 2012 8:35 am The reason for us wanting a recess in our slab was less noble. We wanted a trench that our tv could disappear into. My only advice on cutting into an established slab is make sure the company that engineered it is involved. We wanted a 400mm trench cut out was along a wall, and if we had done so would have cut into the piering or foundation reinforcement of the slab, voiding any waranty on the slab. Re: Recess in a house slab 4Apr 17, 2012 9:59 am There's no reason why they can’t include it into the slab, however it would need to be on the plans submitted to council and it would be an additional cost to you. I wouldn’t even contemplate cutting a hole that size into the slab later on. Re: Recess in a house slab 5Apr 17, 2012 10:56 am Yes it can be done but you have probably confused the issue by referring to measurements as mls (not mm) as mls could be construed as milliliters, a volume measurement Arfur Re: Recess in a house slab 6Apr 17, 2012 7:32 pm Uncle Arfur Yes it can be done but you have probably confused the issue by referring to measurements as mls (not mm) as mls could be construed as milliliters, a volume measurement Sorry! When I re-read my post today I instantly realised that all my measurements were stated as mls when of course they should read mm. To answer another question, we have not started building. We are due to sign off on Allworth's plans so they can submit them to council. they have said they cannot do the drop down in the slab. Re: Recess in a house slab 7Apr 17, 2012 9:12 pm Try to attempt to talk to Allworths engineers. there is no reason it cannot be done. It is just a cost factor borne by you. Speak to management and try that way. Settlement 1/2/12 New Shed 23/3/12 Slab poured 27/3/12 Frame complete 4/5/12 Roof complete 1/6/12 LOCKUP 29/6/12 Our new build blog http://kareenhillsownerbuild.blogspot.com/ Re: Recess in a house slab 8Apr 17, 2012 9:50 pm Its really not that hard to do for an experienced Concretor. The slab design will have to be changed and this would be an extra cost. There will be extra steel and prep costs as well. IMO if Ashworth aren't willing to do something that's really not that hard then maybe there not the builder for you. Re: Recess in a house slab 9Apr 17, 2012 9:57 pm mgilla IMO if Ashworth aren't willing to do something that's really not that hard then maybe there not the builder for you. I agree Arfur Re: Recess in a house slab 10Apr 17, 2012 10:35 pm So they are saying that they can't do a 12cm deep sunken section of slab? I've seen Allworth build split level slabs. Should be easy to form up and pour... The only thing that I can see that might be an issue for them is the engineering required in that part of the slab because of the weight of the lift that will sit in that zone. If they get it wrong and your slab cracks etc then your going to come back down the track to get them to sort it. This could be the issue..... If your in Sydney tell them you want a meeting organised at Head Office (Parramatta) to meet with them with the right people in the room to get it sorted out. Re: Recess in a house slab 11Apr 18, 2012 8:19 am dvestate So they are saying that they can't do a 12cm deep sunken section of slab? I've seen Allworth build split level slabs. Should be easy to form up and pour... The only thing that I can see that might be an issue for them is the engineering required in that part of the slab because of the weight of the lift that will sit in that zone. If they get it wrong and your slab cracks etc then your going to come back down the track to get them to sort it. This could be the issue..... If your in Sydney tell them you want a meeting organised at Head Office (Parramatta) to meet with them with the right people in the room to get it sorted out. Last night I sent an email to the Managing Director of Allworth Homes asking if he can talk to his engineers and suggest a solution. I have said that I will pay for any extra work required. I really hope they can "come to the party" because my wife and I love the home (been in the display one many times!) and it would be a shame for us to have to cancel the whole thing over one requirement. Re: Recess in a house slab 12Apr 18, 2012 8:32 am You may want to CC your lift supplier as well; I would imagine that they would have engineering details of the required base for the lift. I think it would require more than just a 4" slab around the perimeter? Re: Recess in a house slab 13Apr 19, 2012 8:13 pm Thanks all of you for your advice and support. I am delighted to say that my personal letter to the General Manager of Allworth Homes produced results. He has agreed to do the drop down pit at the base of the lift shaft. I am relieved. We have now signed off on the plans and now begin the next part of the journey to a new home. 13 6805 Petercurtis You able to contact the certifier and get a copy of your structural plans, if they are not in your contract. If your home was approved via CDC then they… 1 20298 |