Browse Forums Building A New House Re: ADVICE PLEASE 2Nov 26, 2022 8:15 pm I would have removed at least 20-30 cm of the top soil from the building envelope + 1 m beyond it and made sure that after the cut the site slightly slopes towards edges. Then you deploy geotextile, install agg drainage around the perimeter and bring in 20-30 cm of sand or gravel (gravel will be needed around agg drainage, but you can also use it under footings/slab base), which is then well compacted to at least 95 percent. Then your site will be ready for the footings and slab. With such approach you wouldn't have to worry about concrete paving etc. as the water will be going through sand or gravel directly in to the agg drainage and under no circumstances will be ending up under your footings. They forgot to mention that imported fill better has to be a well draining material too, I certainly wouldn't recommend using clay, it not easy to compact it properly either. Also, 50 kPa sounds like a very low bearing capacity, I am not sure this is good enough to hold the standard house (unless you are building a shed). Re: ADVICE PLEASE 3Nov 26, 2022 8:25 pm Am I being penalised with extension of time for weather considering this is in engineering drawings. I tried to reject them due to drawings not being followed and they said I can't reject them and they are automatic. Re: ADVICE PLEASE 4Nov 26, 2022 8:37 pm Even if you had drainage installed, it wouldn't have changed much as the site is open and your soil is clay. It would have turned into a swamp anyway. Right now, unfortunately, the builder would have to re-do earthworks again. Why they haven't completed the slab back in July, specifically? Re: ADVICE PLEASE 5Nov 26, 2022 8:46 pm We are guessing we just fell though the cracks. We have had multiple site supervisors and no real contact until I have started to ask for answers. Was told management weren't happy with team so there has been a staffing issue. I know rain has been bad but reckon it's a secondary issue and poor SS until now was real issue. Re: ADVICE PLEASE 6Nov 27, 2022 10:36 am Hey matevieflick Welcome to the forum Sounds like the builder has no interest in Building your project anytime soon? Interestingly, I'm seeing quite a bit of this, where builders are using existing contracts that are delayed, as a method of obtaining financing/ line of credit for their own projects? Also, supplier and trades are happy to extend credit and work knowing there's more jobs in their system. You might want to check how they are geared on their other projects? What's next will they be asking for more money to remediate the site? You've been too trusting to date, mate ..stay on top of it hth Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: ADVICE PLEASE 7Nov 27, 2022 11:16 am structuralBIMGuy definitely might be the case. Thinking about consulting a Lawyer. They keep saying they are not responsible for drainage when clearly states they are. Can't even guarantee a slab by Christmas. Keep adding rain days which I have been told I can't dispute. I did dispute the last one on grounds of them not following engineering drawings with drainage and they said I can't do that. Rain days getting added to buy themselves time I think. To get out of paying damages when house isn't built by date on contract. Just don't know how they can do this to people. Especially when 2 people have verbally admitted it was due to previous SS's not being up to scratch. Re: ADVICE PLEASE 8Nov 27, 2022 12:42 pm Matevieflick @structuralBIMGuy definitely might be the case. Thinking about consulting a Lawyer. They keep saying they are not responsible for drainage when clearly states they are. Can't even guarantee a slab by Christmas. Keep adding rain days which I have been told I can't dispute. I did dispute the last one on grounds of them not following engineering drawings with drainage and they said I can't do that. Rain days getting added to buy themselves time I think. To get out of paying damages when house isn't built by date on contract. Just don't know how they can do this to people. Especially when 2 people have verbally admitted it was due to previous SS's not being up to scratch. If they are putting a slab down on that site they are asking for trouble, so I wouldn't be rushing them, best to also consult your own local engineer along with a lawyer. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 22359 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 6281 I was being kind to the builder. With the amount charged for the upgrade the builder is probably charging closer to 100% margin. There are a few variables as I… 5 14687 |