Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 10, 2009 8:30 pm We're looking to build a home for the first time. We've all but secured a block of land in Lake Macquarie, just south of Newcastle, which is the subject of possible mine subsidence. In accordance with that, we are required to build a bearer and joist type base with 'pothole footings' rather than a simple slab. Our question is this, has anyone had dealings with any of the major new home builders, ie Masterton, AV Jennings, Mcdonald Jones etc in regard to this type of footing ? We're hoping to hear from people who've been there and done it and have feedback, either positive or otherwise. Also, can we assume that this type of footing is not the norm and hence more expensive ? If so, how much more expensive ? Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. Re: Project home builders building on bearers and joists 2Feb 10, 2009 8:53 pm hi there
we have a site which slopes left to right and therefore considered bearers and joist rather than a slab. Pretty none of the volume builders were interested. They all wanted to get a slab down and a frame up quickly etc. Wincrest (who we ended up with) were happy to custom design a house with us and we went tri level to avoid the bearers and joist BUT they did say that if we wanted them it would be around an extra 30k. I understand that they are not the norm for volume builders and even though the materials may not cost much more the labour is far more intensive and hence the cost. I am sure others here will have more thoughts. L Re: Project home builders building on bearers and joists 3Feb 11, 2009 9:19 am We have a site sloping down from the street and also from side to side. We are at the design stage of modifying a split-level home design to suit the block. Huxley homes advised us that bearers and joists were the way to go. Otherwise we would have been up for some serious retaining walls and also council would prefer this approach. Added 30K to the build but would have been up for that in retaining walls and edgebeams anyway. Pretty happy with Huxley so far... Re: Project home builders building on bearers and joists 4Feb 11, 2009 9:42 am We were originally going to build on bearers and joists here in Newcastle. Some of the builders we approached were Beechwood, McDonald Jones, AV Jennings, Hotondo and Cavalier.
We ended up going with a drop edge beam instead and have chosen to go with Capital Homes - a small private builder based in Maitland. Be warned either b&j or drop edge will mean that your costs will skyrocket remarkedly. Be very prepared to be shocked. Some things are worth waiting for. Hi All, about to commence a bathroom renovation and need some advice on subfloor works. Current subfloor is hardwood T&G floorboards on 90x45 joists, but intention is to… 0 5849 Thanks for all replies. I just noticed now the pictures I added to post right on top of page were wrong. I attached pictures showing "current" and my "suggested" floor… 9 14650 |