Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 25, 2021 6:55 pm City: Perth Lot is flat, Class A classified, free of trees or any debris. Completely cleared before handing over to the builder. Builder is now charging more than $11,000 for Earthworks along claiming they found some subsurface debris (some reticulation pipes and small roots). I think this is crazy. Your opinion is appreciated. Thank you. Re: 270 m2 Class A site - Earthworks $11,000 - Is this norma 3Mar 25, 2021 7:02 pm It's a fixed price contract. Site assessment was done by the Builder and accordingly Earthworks component was fixed. They started works on site this week and now asking for $3,000 variation more because they found 'subsurface debris' which from what I can see some reticulation pipes and small roots. Obviously, the floor levels were designed to match the site levels (again by the builder) therefore I would have thought they would have taken all those things in to account when fixing the Earthworks in the first place.. Re: 270 m2 Class A site - Earthworks $11,000 - Is this norma 4Mar 25, 2021 8:37 pm When they cleared the site they should have raked through with the bobcat removing roots, bricks, retic, etc any thing that falls between the blades I wouldn't worry about. Hire for a day Bobcat and compactor, Driver + Labourer... What extra was done ? check your engineering siteworks notes, eg Did they compact in layers and put down a 300mm clean sand pad on top $10 grand plus an extra $3 is a bit steep, did anyone get photos and check or do you just accept what they are telling you? hth Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: 270 m2 Class A site - Earthworks $11,000 - Is this norma 5Mar 25, 2021 9:09 pm Appreciate the replies. I think I should clarify this a bit more. The initial clearing was arranged by myself and no raking was done as part of these works. Below is how it looked when Builder came back and hit me with a variation for removal of subsoil debris (some retic and small roots based on the photos below sent by the Builder). To clarify further; fixed Earthworks cost $6,000, Testing & Site assessment $2,400, Variation to rake the site and remove debris $2,700. Total more than $11,000. If this is a clay site with issues, I can understand. But it's Class A and only 270 m2, I just can't get my head around why it should cost 11 grand for Earthworks to be completed. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: 270 m2 Class A site - Earthworks $11,000 - Is this norma 6Mar 25, 2021 10:47 pm The site should of been raked when you did the earthworks, the $2,700 is probably about right to rake it, there is a clause in the contract to say about unknown conditions (ie. Under the surface of the sand pad area). The $6,000 is utter BS though especially when you have already completed works to a certain extent, I would be asking for an invoice for the original works, half that is what I would expect to pay. The testing and site assessment what suburb are you in and who was the engineer? Re: 270 m2 Class A site - Earthworks $11,000 - Is this norma 7Mar 26, 2021 6:25 am Thanks for the reply mate. Testing done by Prompt Engineering. Forrestfield area (usually clay). Probably they would have been conservative when testing and determining footing details. I agree with you regarding Earthworks figure, they said at the time it's due to sand pad being required despite class A. Re: 270 m2 Class A site - Earthworks $11,000 - Is this norma 8Mar 26, 2021 8:25 am The guy who cleared your site probably nicked off to another job, left you in the hole and didn't come back to complete the job properly Pity you paid him in full. Site assessment and testing for Clay is about $1k for Sand about $300...shop around Go back and ask for reduction, unfortunately, with the market the way that it is I don't like your chances. Bad luck you started off on the wrong foot and now costs have compounded as the builder will shift the blame onto you OT, Typical excuses YOU didnt clear the site properly, YOU delayed the start time, Cost have gone up YOU have to pay more LOL Siteworks and Engineering is the go to ATM for Builders meeting all cost shortfalls (humour) Forewarned is forearmed Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs I am not sure whether Perth has its own way of doing things in regards to this. Most of Perth has class A (sandy soil), except for some areas near rivers or hills. 2 13099 That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 17875 As is per usual for many of the past failed RWH regulations, it is probably traceable to a bureaucrat who's ego overrode the need to seek the appropriate expert… 1 1015 |