Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 19, 2007 1:22 pm I'm working with a group of engineers at the moment and a few of them were quite shocked by this picture: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
They don't like the house being so close to the edge of a timber retaining wall that is more than one metre high. Do you think we should worry. Do we accept that the builder probably knows what they are doing or worry that they are not focusing on the long term effects? What would everyone else do? I'm not sure whether to raise it with them or not??? Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 3Oct 19, 2007 1:42 pm the picture probably isn't a good one because you can't see that the wall is lower than the house because right along side it runs the neigbours fence with about 1/2 a metre in between. So the retaining wall is about 1.3 high and is all timber. And the house sits above it about 1 metre over.
l Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 4Oct 19, 2007 1:44 pm I believe retaining walls over one meter high are supposed to be designed by a structural engineer. The comps should have been submitted with plans to the building surveyor and approved. Inspection of the foundations should also be carried out by the BS.
I would ask the builder to provide you with a copy of the approved drawings. If he doesn't have any, ask why. Good Luck !!! Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 6Oct 19, 2007 2:23 pm Hey bmp, that's what this fantastic forum is here for!!
Good Luck. Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 7Oct 19, 2007 4:37 pm Okay so i email asking for the plans and the customer service rep writes back "because the wall is only 200mm we didn't use an engineer".
What the? It's a 1.3m timber retaining wall. So I write "can you confirm you are looking at OUR house plans?" Oops. Turns out she is commenting on the neighbours wall. Why the h#ll would I need the plans of the neighbours 20cm garden wall??? Someone needs to be sacked 6 months ago (this is a minor tale in her inefficient history of customer service). So I have one set of plans - still waiting on the others.......... Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 8Oct 19, 2007 4:49 pm bmp Okay so i email asking for the plans and the customer service rep writes back "because the wall is only 200mm we didn't use an engineer". What the? It's a 1.3m timber retaining wall. So I write "can you confirm you are looking at OUR house plans?" Oops. Turns out she is commenting on the neighbours wall. Why the h#ll would I need the plans of the neighbours 20cm garden wall??? Someone needs to be sacked 6 months ago (this is a minor tale in her inefficient history of customer service). So I have one set of plans - still waiting on the others.......... Oh dear….yet another one! What’s the engineers concern? Drainage is ALWAYS an issue; make sure they have allowed for ample. Hope they used a good timber…..you know it will rot one day with all that back fill behind it! Good luck bmp. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 9Oct 22, 2007 9:56 am bmp Okay so i email asking for the plans and the customer service rep writes back "because the wall is only 200mm we didn't use an engineer". What the? It's a 1.3m timber retaining wall. So I write "can you confirm you are looking at OUR house plans?" Oops. Turns out she is commenting on the neighbours wall. Why the h#ll would I need the plans of the neighbours 20cm garden wall??? Someone needs to be sacked 6 months ago (this is a minor tale in her inefficient history of customer service). So I have one set of plans - still waiting on the others.......... I wouldnt be surprised from her response if they didnt have any council submitted plans for the wall - they just put it up. Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 10Oct 22, 2007 12:57 pm Okay got one set of plans and asked the engineer who designed them to check the wall and sign off on it. They are going out tomorrow. If they won't sign off on it - well that gives us a good idea that it might not be correct.
An Engineer friend of ours looked at it on the weekend and he says it doesn't follow the Engineers design and that we need to raise the issue. Can't get the plans for the other wall - they have now decided that we can't have those until we have paid for the entire house. I hate their customer service - everytime i get off the phone i think i'd rather have my teeth pulled out then go thru that again. Starting to think i'd prefer good customer service to getting everything right. At least you could then talk to your builder and discuss any issues. Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 11Oct 22, 2007 1:46 pm bmp Okay got one set of plans and asked the engineer who designed them to check the wall and sign off on it. They are going out tomorrow. If they won't sign off on it - well that gives us a good idea that it might not be correct. An Engineer friend of ours looked at it on the weekend and he says it doesn't follow the Engineers design and that we need to raise the issue. Can't get the plans for the other wall - they have now decided that we can't have those until we have paid for the entire house. I hate their customer service - everytime i get off the phone i think i'd rather have my teeth pulled out then go thru that again. Starting to think i'd prefer good customer service to getting everything right. At least you could then talk to your builder and discuss any issues. I am not following what happened. You got the wall engineer designed and had the plans submitted to council? Who is not letting you have the plans - engineer or builder? Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 13Oct 22, 2007 3:39 pm The builder won't give us the plans. We are building with Adenbrook. I want the plans because i don't think the wall is structurally sound and our house sits on top of it only 1.5m from the edge. When i asked for the plans for the retaining wall to OUR house the snooty receptionist said "are you a draftsperson or something?" and "you haven't paid for the house in full yet so it's not yours and you can't have the plans until you pay for everything". We have paid every invoice promptly so far which means the walls have already been paid for so i should be able to have the plans. when i told her i work for an engineering company she went silent and then said noone could help me. Why do they want to look like they are hiding something? Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 14Oct 22, 2007 3:47 pm Hi bmp
Its been 30 years since we did a build with a volume builder, but I do recall that a full set of drawings formed part of the Contract Documentation. Not only did both parties sign the specification but the drawings were signed off as well. This is also standard practice in the Engineering and Construction industries. Is there a reason why a full set of plans were not provided ?? In a legal sense the drawings detail what you are paying for. Maybe a few others could comment here.....did you all recieve a full set of drawings with the Contract Documents or was reference made only to the design name of the house ????? I was thinking that the builders don't want their plans out of their possession but that is not the issue. Also if you have any legal expertise your opinion would be welcome. Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 15Oct 22, 2007 3:49 pm You're not going to pay in full without seeing them are you? Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 16Oct 22, 2007 3:50 pm Had a look at the Adenbrook website - nice homes and I hope your's is as good. Hopefully Adenbrook will see this discussion and take a hard look at their lack of customer service and snooty receptionist!
Good luck - we have retaining walls over 1.5 metres too so am very curious on the outcome! Fi has moved in!! Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 17Oct 22, 2007 3:51 pm We recieved a full set of plans with the contract, and also a full "construction set" with the plans and all the extras such as the engineering drawings for the slab, trusses, studs, retaining wall etc etc prior to site start. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 18Oct 22, 2007 3:51 pm EASY..... Tell them you are with holding any further payments untill you have a private civil engineer come and inspect the retaining wall and then you will be seeking legal action....
Then see what their snotty little receptionist has to say... Gav & Vanessa Building In Melbourne (Sth East Suburbs) http://www.arkraider.blogspot.com/ Rawdon Hill Construction - Canterbury Heritage Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 19Oct 22, 2007 4:04 pm bmp,
I received with my contract a full set of drawings including the drawings for my cut and fill, suspended slab and the measurements and specifications for the retaining wall along the side of my house. I suggest you request them very politley but only once. The second time would be at the office and I wouldn't be leaving until I had them.... This one is a biggie!! If there is no issue then there will be nothing to hide. Re: Should we worry RE structural concerns **UPDATED** 20Oct 22, 2007 4:11 pm Get the plans and also get the structural engineer to see if the work matches the plans - it may cost you a couple of hundred dollars but then you'll know if it is an issue. Fi has moved in!! 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 14627 Regardless of wall hung toilet or floor pan toilet your feet will be right on drain, seems to me the waste should not be in that location given the design. Also are you… 6 7028 |