Browse Forums Building A New House Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 21Nov 26, 2009 8:48 am The fact you think its easy makes me question the scope of your work, also the fact you believe the brick cavity can be reduced to 15mm is another reason to question your construction experience. Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 22Nov 26, 2009 9:03 am Nomad have you done me the courtesy of looking at the link I posted? Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 23Nov 26, 2009 9:20 am Its not the pictures I'm judging you by, its your comments, if you really do work on difficult jobs then you owe the industry the courtesy of not making it sound so elementary. Nice fish BTW Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 24Nov 26, 2009 9:44 am This is the key, We all need to learn.... that is a given. But not at the expense of the paying public. Some of the excuses that have been bandyed about here are less that pathetic. It is knowledge and experience that makes a good job... do you disagree? When a problem exists and the experiencial level is up there, then changes can be made prior to becoming an issue. I have said this before... If doing a setout (even before when quoting the job) little things can be rectified before they are set in concrete If a problem comes about after the pour has happened, shouldn't the onus be on the contractor to make good the stuff up? Why do they walk away? Have they learned anything? Have they worked out why the finish product is different from the plan? Yes pouring concrete is hard work, pushing barrows makes you stronger screeding for hours is fun right? Starting at first light or with the headlights on getting ready for a pour is a joy Edging and finishing when your energy is spent also fun But seriously, apart from being hard work for a few hours (possible 5), if you are organised and calm, you've checked the setout, forms secure, levels correct, what is the issue. Just bung the grey lady in Anyone can put their hand up for a job I am getting to the point where I think I have board the sh!t out of everyone. CYA Onc Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 25Nov 26, 2009 10:25 am Over a large volume of jobs its inconceivable to expect a stuff up never to occur, its the nature of the building industry and everyone in it knows this. Like anything when there are humans involved, human errors will occur. If everyone worked the way you describe we wouldn't be having this conversation, if it was a simple case of measure twice cut once. Its so easy to read these forums and question the credibility of the trade, like everything you only hear the bad. We don't see the massive volume of houses that are erected without complications. You ask a lot of rhetorical questions there, they have located the problem and have told the OP the problem will be rectified so who exactly is walking away from the job? Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 26Nov 26, 2009 11:06 am Sorry nomad, but you might have missed the bit where I said, " we all make mistakes" but you have to be big enough to admit them and make them good. Why are we having this argument? That is a rhetorical question. Because there was a stuff up made, not one but a few I have simply put the info that I have out there... I hate to think someone is getting reamed because they don't understand. Is that a bad thing? (Also rhetorical) If I have antagonised you, I do apologize. If I have over simplified the issues to the point where everyone believes concrete and associated work is easy, well, it isn't. Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 27Nov 26, 2009 11:51 am Is it safe to come out? Since the initial post we've made plenty of calls to the relevant people. The issue has been submitted to the builder in writing and am awaiting their response. The engineer was stunned that they could get it so wrong, up to 20mm would be acceptable. An independent engineer does not like the sound of their initial way of sorting it out. Eg reducing the cavity and packing the timber. Of course he also noted without the plans he can only generalise. To those who've bothered to contribute, thanks. I agree with the others who think it should be laid as per the plan, how hard can it be to do the job correctly, no excuses. You need to challenge these things in a calm professional way otherwise you're inviting the builder to walk all over you down the track. Will keep you posted. Mr. X Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 28Nov 26, 2009 12:56 pm onc_artisan Sorry nomad, but you might have missed the bit where I said, " we all make mistakes" but you have to be big enough to admit them and make them good. I think from my reading on this forum is that this is the biggest failing of the building industry...well probably a lot of industries...even my own. If you c*ck up...don't hide it...don't make excuses...don't come up with bullsh!t propositions or statements about this happens all the time so we use this ******* fix. Admit the error, discuss with the owner and seek a resolution. Maybe x would have been more accepting of the error if the builder would have just said "Look mate we cocked up, the house will be 50 mm shorter, we want to distribute the error in the rooms, are there any rooms you'll die in a ditch over if it's not the "exact width" "...not wait and see if the client notices, come up with a dumb statement like the internal sizes won't change...der...they have too...now the client doesn't believe the builder and so it goes. Just tell it how it is...most people will seek to resolve things without conflict if you're honest. That's my second piece of fortune cookie philosophy for today...WTF is going on... mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 29Nov 26, 2009 1:26 pm Whats going on TDL 2 in one day But this is good advise for the non-punter. x Is it safe to come out? Healthy discussion is good for growth Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 30Nov 26, 2009 2:15 pm Mr X - who measured the slab and came up with the 50mm and 20mm short? Is this your measurement? the builders? the third party engineer? (please be nice if I missed this in an earlier post ) Reason for the question is that measuring tapes can be inaccurate. We have a master calibrated tape which is used to check all measuring tapes before issuing to our staff. We have found that they can be out by up to 30mm over 8m. Also where did you get the dimension of the slab? This is not specifically shown on my plans. Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 31Nov 26, 2009 3:14 pm I hope everyone uses a steel tapes or a laser measure. I'd have never thought to measure a tape for accuracy I think I might go compare some... should be able to find a few Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 32Nov 26, 2009 4:43 pm Mr. X wrote: Since the initial post we've made plenty of calls to the relevant people. The issue has been submitted to the builder in writing and am awaiting their response. The engineer was stunned that they could get it so wrong, up to 20mm would be acceptable. An independent engineer does not like the sound of their initial way of sorting it out. Eg reducing the cavity and packing the timber. Of course he also noted without the plans he can only generalise. I gather from this that you have employed 'your own' independent structural engineer to advise you (maybe even to have a look?)? If so, have they also helped with preparing the written submission to the builder? Could I also ask which relevant people did you call? (sorry, thought I could get some help from you) My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 33Nov 26, 2009 5:20 pm Our SS just picked up today that our slab is 150mm short in one section. The section where it is short is right where the front door goes; this could explain why my front door hasn't been installed yet. I saw this the other day but just thought that bricks were going there as my neighbour has bricks under there front door. I was reassured by my SS and my independent inspector that there was nothing to worry about as the slab company will have to do an add-on job which will have to pass an engineering inspection. Luckily for me it doesn’t change any room sizes, it’s a shame it’s happened but I’m glade it was picked up know not later. Builder; Big M Design; Soho 32 Facade; Ascent Blog; http://mickeyb-soho.blogspot.com Trend; viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23990 Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 34Nov 27, 2009 10:38 am dragon Mr X - who measured the slab and came up with the 50mm and 20mm short? Is this your measurement? the builders? the third party engineer? (please be nice if I missed this in an earlier post ) Reason for the question is that measuring tapes can be inaccurate. We have a master calibrated tape which is used to check all measuring tapes before issuing to our staff. We have found that they can be out by up to 30mm over 8m. Also where did you get the dimension of the slab? This is not specifically shown on my plans. Yep fair question and we wondered if tapes differed. The builder has also measured and come up with the same measurement. The third party engineer is simply someone who was recommended to us and gave us a huge amount of generalised info, nice bloke. The measurement is on our working drawings. X Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 35Nov 27, 2009 10:49 am It would seem we are getting somewhere. The builder's theory is that someone stuffed up, no kidding. They have now accepted fault and we are pretty sure that we are now working together to fix the problem. MR.X Re: slab size laid smaller than plans, 50mm less width 36Nov 27, 2009 6:41 pm dragon Mr X - who measured the slab and came up with the 50mm and 20mm short? Is this your measurement? the builders? the third party engineer? (please be nice if I missed this in an earlier post ) Reason for the question is that measuring tapes can be inaccurate. We have a master calibrated tape which is used to check all measuring tapes before issuing to our staff. We have found that they can be out by up to 30mm over 8m. Also where did you get the dimension of the slab? This is not specifically shown on my plans. Steel tapes are good to better than 2 mm over 10 m (if you buy a decent one). Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 I had new concrete laid, extended the alfresco and had the sidewalks concreted too. I noticed the concreter didn't put the expansion foam anywhere, there are expansion… 0 8131 Dear Members I have to decide the Facade column size. My custom builder standard is 350mm with rendering, but i asked for 470mm plus stone or tiles and yet to get… 0 7505 All sorted guys. Just needed to buy a blade with the correct bush. Dunno how to delete this post, can't find any help file. Cheers. 1 3665 |