Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 08, 2010 1:10 pm Hi all, newbie poster here. In final negotiations for a block of land at the moment and and after some advice about soil testing etc. I got a level 1 compaction report for the estate as a whole from the developer dated 2007. They also gave me a soil test report specific to the block dated a few months later. This was done by the same testers as the level 1 report. Basically, the result of that test was that due to the presence of fill they have to rate it P, however based on their knowledge from the level 1, it can be considered controlled fill and therefore can be reclassified as H class. To complicate matters it is apparent that since that testing there has been some cutting of the site (and perhaps filling) and the construction of a sandstone retaining wall measuring around 2m at its highest point. Of course, a flat block with retaining walls already done is great if it is done properly. So my questions are as follows: 1. Should I get another soil test done to confirm the H rating? What specific tests should I be asking for? We dont have a builder or even a design yet so dont know exactly where the slab will go although do have a couple of early ideas. Would this testing be usable to the eventual builder or would they have to redo them again? 2. Should I be getting someone to inspect the retaining wall? Looks rock solid ('scuse the pun) to me but I'm not a builder. 3. Any other advice in this area much appreciated. Re: New land - tests and inspections 2Aug 08, 2010 1:36 pm xBeanie 1. Should I get another soil test done to confirm the H rating? What specific tests should I be asking for? We dont have a builder or even a design yet so dont know exactly where the slab will go although do have a couple of early ideas. Would this testing be usable to the eventual builder or would they have to redo them again? You won't need to be specific just ask the soil tester for a report that recommends a foundation design...they will design the testing program to suit your request. I do it for the piece of mind...H to P can potentially be a largish cost difference. The builder will probably not use you report, as they need to carry the risk of the report being correct, and hence would commission their own test (with an additional surcharge) xBeanie 2. Should I be getting someone to inspect the retaining wall? Looks rock solid ('scuse the pun) to me but I'm not a builder. If it's a council/developer built wall you should probably be OK. But when doing the site testing you could get them to comment on the wall...should be minimal cost. xBeanie 3. Any other advice in this area much appreciated. Please see the ready reckoner link in my signature. Cheers, Mike mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: New land - tests and inspections 3Sep 08, 2010 10:02 pm Well got the soil test done and not good results unfortunately. Apparently the paperwork provided by the developer was not sufficient to class the fill as controlled, and overall it got a P class rating with reactivity similar to E class (70mm - 90mm predicted). Recommendation as I understand it basically means piers into the natural ground level, with fill measured at up to 1m (although previous test had fill up to 2m). It was also mentioned that significantly more concrete might be required than normal due to a potential for excavations to collapse. We dont even have a house design yet so I doubt that anyone will give us a solid estimate of the costs involved. May be best to cut our losses and get out now You have mandatory building inspections and privately engaged building inspections. The difference between the two comes down to inspecting the building so it's safe and… 3 18084 13 6636 2 5503 |