Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 22, 2007 6:40 pm Hi folks,
Just about to lay my $1K (tomorrow) for a block of land and have read on another post that the clause: 'subject to soil test' can be inserted... My questions is: who then arranges for the soil test (me, builder etc) and is an amount specified? or once the soil test comes back it is cited and a decision made.... also...I'm particularly worried about the possibility of hitting rock...does a soil test identify this?..... ...should I be asking for this clause and site costs do worry me.... thanks Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 2Jul 22, 2007 9:14 pm if you want to add such a clause, I would think you'd need to be more specific about the exact results of the soil test - for example, P-class soil.
Interesting when we bought our land (paid the deposit) the agent said a contract is a contract - if we want a soil test, we need to arrange it and make a decision before signing the contract. A soil test might show rock - but might not. It depends on the nature of rock, and whether the three bores they drill happen to hit rock or not. Perry Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 3Jul 23, 2007 9:18 am I would consider the soil test similar to a 'building inspection' when buying a old house.
If you have shortlisted a builder, get the soiltest done by the same company they employ. I have had issues with different builders not accepting the soil test results provided by a co different to which they use. good luck! Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contrac 4Jul 23, 2007 9:19 am fojean My questions is: who then arranges for the soil test (me, builder etc) and is an amount specified? or once the soil test comes back it is cited and a decision made.... also...I'm particularly worried about the possibility of hitting rock...does a soil test identify this?..... thanks Ok...you can arrange the soil test yourself, make sure you allow time enough to have it done and the results. You can ask your preferred builder which company they use and hire them yourself, your builder will hopefully not chrage you for another one in this case. The soil test will identify if any rock is present where they do the test holes as Perry said...the report wil say something like "No rejection at holes 1, 2 or 3" meaning no rock has been encountered. Obviously rock could be elsewhere on the block...but make sure the testing will be done over the area you intend to site the house, this will make you as sure as you can possibly be. You can be very specific in your wording, we did something like this: "This contract in condidtional on the purchaser obtaining a soil test within 14 days of the date of the vendor signing this contract, and the test showing suitability for construction of a dwelling on a M or H class slab (or better) with no additional works. All moneys are to be refunded to the purchaser if the test results are unsatisfactory." If you are unsure you can get a solicitior to draw something up for you. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 5Jul 23, 2007 9:23 am perryr Interesting when we bought our land (paid the deposit) the agent said a contract is a contract - if we want a soil test, we need to arrange it and make a decision before signing the contract. Perry This makes me sooooo MAD How do they get away with this crap! You can buy your land subject to the vendor supplying a bowl of blue smarties on settlement if you want to!!!!! Dont put up with this kind of ****** and PRESSURE from estate agents!!!! Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 6Jul 23, 2007 10:18 am I would agree with vanderlay.
You want a contract that states . . . 'subject to soil report recommending Class M type footing or better'. If the agent won't agree . . . walk away. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 7Jul 23, 2007 10:25 am ausdesign I would agree with vanderlay. You want a contract that states . . . 'subject to soil report recommending Class M type footing or better'. If the agent won't agree . . . walk away. Thats a bit less "waffley" than ours bad slab joke..... Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 8Jul 23, 2007 10:30 am You can carry out your own soil test if you wish. The cost is around $300.
Provided the organisation performing the test carries it out in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard and is registered with NATA, the builder has no basis to reject it. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 9Jul 23, 2007 10:49 am Thanks all for your replies...
If I do manage to engage my own 'soil tester' (what are they called again??) will they also give me an approximate on site costs? ..and just to test my understanding.. At this stage I'm talking to PD and about to meet with a Henley rep so will ask them for their person and ensure that we also have an understanding that a further soil report will not be needed....right? Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 10Jul 23, 2007 11:11 am Soil Testers are also called Geotechnical Engineers.
They will classify the type of soil on your block and specify the minimum founding depth for footings etc, plus other information used by a structural engineer to design the slab. They also note the location of any trees on the land and note any root barrier requirements. They do not provide any information regarding the cost of site works. That is all done by the builder. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 11Jul 23, 2007 11:30 am fojean,
Ask both the builders what bore depth they require. . our soil test had a shorter depth at one of the bores which was picked up by the henley rep who said they wont accept the exisiting soil test and will require another. Also, to know the fall on your site you'll need a contour analysis/survey. if the land is flat it shouldnt be an issue. just my 2 cents Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 12Jul 23, 2007 1:03 pm In determining the soil profile & the subsequent recommended footing design the builder does not have any say in what depth the test holes are taken to. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: ..about "subject to soil test" in land contract... 13Jul 23, 2007 7:49 pm The Geotech engineers have access to detailed geological information for all areas, which will generally dictate the depth of bores. Also a bit of local knowledge helps.
For example, on my previous house, the bore samples were done to a depth of two meters. I was aware of the history of the area, and so were the Geotech people, (the land had been filled with excavated material from a nearby freeway some 15 years earlier). As expected the site came back with a "P" classification. On my current project the bore samples were done to a depth of 1.5 meters and the site has been classified "M". No surprise there either. We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37147 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12343 Hi Building Expert, Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated, there is also a code of conduct for building surveyors which they need to follow as well. I am looking… 4 3677 |