Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 14, 2015 9:00 pm Hello Everyone,
I am new to here. Try to enjoy the building procedure. But now I am having a little trouble after the soil test. My land is on the new estate. The developer has given me the certificate of controlled fill. The footing report shows my soil classification is P/H2-D with controlled fill. But only serval houses away is P/H1-D. Due to my classification is worse, only my footing above standard cost is more than the bigger house on the same street,almost 20K. Also, my excess soil remove cost increased. When I was signing the contract, the sales guy told me they have built many houses in my area. 16k should be fine.I have contacted the builder. Now they all say the same. They can not do anything for this as the cost is basic on the site classification. I require they redo the soil test . But get ignored. I do not understand on the same street, same controlled soil. Why my soil is so bad. Is that because these two land assessed by the different engineering companies, they have different standards to assess the soil according to the individual engineer and company? What should I do now? Feel dissapointed . Thank you in advance! Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 2Apr 14, 2015 9:26 pm The fact that there is controlled fill indicates that the original site was uneven. It may be than to level out the site that the depth of controlled fill over your block is more than other blocks (generally if the fill is more than 0.8m a stronger slab is required) Though developers soil information is interesting it can't be relied on. See this link http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2013/08/dif ... n-results/ The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 5Apr 14, 2015 10:05 pm bashworth The fact that there is controlled fill indicates that the original site was uneven. It may be than to level out the site that the depth of controlled fill over your block is more than other blocks (generally if the fill is more than 0.8m a stronger slab is required) Though developers soil information is interesting it can't be relied on. See this link http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2013/08/dif ... n-results/ Hi Bashworth Thank you for your professional replay. I have recently read some your posts which I have learned some knowledge for building. This new estate was the reserve, with some tree at the front and back along the street. My certificate of controlled fill does not showing any fill depth. It says"fild density tests have veen carried out and have reached a minimum compacted densit of 95% in accordance with AS1289 5.1.1(standard compaction)"/'the filling placed and compacted within the area certified as being controlled fill, is certified as controlled fill, meeting the requirement of AS2870(2011)'residential Slabs and Footings"from the natural surface up to the levels..." Only did 2 boreholes by the engineering company. Soil pedology & foundation characteristics: The boreholes revealed a soil profile of very high reactivity and medium bearing capacity. A maximum free soil swell of 66mm was calculated for the profile of borehole 2. Controlled fill was encountered to a depth of approximately 0.55 metres in both boreholes. Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 6Apr 14, 2015 10:08 pm mgilla Each site is classified on its own merits. Different engineers can interpret the same soil test in different ways. The only way to change the result is change the builder, Yes, these two blocks are built under same group but with different engineering companies. I am thinking whether worth to do another soil test by the independent engineering company . Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 7Apr 14, 2015 10:14 pm insider Does you engineer have a copy of the fill certificate? Yes, I did give the controlled fill certificate at the start as I worry my footing variation will be too much. Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 8Apr 14, 2015 10:30 pm LittleSuzi insider Does you engineer have a copy of the fill certificate? Yes, I did give the controlled fill certificate at the start as I worry my footing variation will be too much. Have you seen the engineers footing design? Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 9Apr 14, 2015 11:03 pm LittleSuzi When I was signing the contract, the sales guy told me they have built many houses in my area. 16k should be fine.I have contacted the builder. Now they all say the same. They can not do anything for this as the cost is basic on the site classification. I require they redo the soil test . But get ignored. Unfortunately you should have spoken to an Engineer before you trusted the salesmans advice. Now you will need to scrutinize the builders quote/costs based on the engineering, somehow I doubt the builders quote will change. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 10Apr 15, 2015 6:59 am Are you in Victoria? Have you signed building contract? The reason for asking is that under certain circumstances builder cannot change more for foundation costs if at the time of contract foundation data was available. If you have not signed the contact then shop around. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 11Apr 15, 2015 7:01 am All too often builder's risk is pushed on to unsuspecting owners+ variation to pay extra. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 12Apr 15, 2015 9:08 am Thank you guys for the reply. Sorry for the wrong information on my post. The several houses away from mine isP/H1-D.I put the wrong code last Night. Just wondering how much chance the soil classification can be different within 80metres? Thanks Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 13Apr 15, 2015 9:15 am building-expert Are you in Victoria? Have you signed building contract? The reason for asking is that under certain circumstances builder cannot change more for foundation costs if at the time of contract foundation data was available. If you have not signed the contact then shop around. Thank you for the post.I am in Adelaide. Unfortunately, I have signed the contract. Yes,builder will not do anything. I think like you said I will do independent soil test to get quote before signing contract next time as I need build another house in couples years. Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 14Apr 15, 2015 9:20 am building-expert All too often builder's risk is pushed on to unsuspecting owners+ variation to pay extra. The rrason why I trusted them. As my bf's building on the same street and get heaps footing heaps drop after supplied the certificate of controllef fill.So,I felt confident to trust the builder when signing the contract. (we use the same builder,different engineering company) Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 15Apr 15, 2015 12:39 pm When you say $20k, do you mean your total variation is around $20k while the other bigger house is $16k? If so, that sort of variation in cost within 80 metres wouldn't be so strange. Also, house shape will affect footing costs, and a larger house doesn't always mean more expensive footings. If you check your contract, you may find you can get out of the contract based on the footings variation costs. However, if you might only be looking at $5k difference chances are it won't be worth changing around if you are otherwise happy with the build. Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 16Apr 15, 2015 8:06 pm cornellengineers Hi LittleSuzi I'm guessing your slab is a waffle slab with brick veneer walls? If I'm wrong let me know. According to AS2870 (the 'book' of standard waffle slab designs), a H2-D slab will be 460 high compared to a H1-D slab being only 385 high. That extra height (extra strength) results in extra concrete and extra fill around your house when it is complete. I think that will account for some of your cost increase. Compared to a Class S or Class M site, which is a 310 high slab and much lighter reinforcement (same brick veneer) the rest of your cost increase is accounted for. Some of your costs won't change (the concreter still has to turn up) so make sure your builder can itemise the price rise. Matt Cornell Hello Matt Thank you for your post. Yes, it is waffle slab with brick veneer . My footing schedule: Type Beam Size(mm)WidthXDepth Reinforcement top bottom Hangers Type A 250X650 1-N24 1-N24 W10 AT 1000 CTS Type B 250X650 1-N20 1-N24 W10 AT 1000 CTS Type C 250X550 1-N20 1-N24 W8 AT 1000 CTS Looks my footing depth is 650mm,much higher than the standard H2-D slab. Is that nessessory to put that much extra depth of slab? Sorry for the silly questions.haha Cheers, Suzi Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 17Apr 15, 2015 8:12 pm oneJohn When you say $20k, do you mean your total variation is around $20k while the other bigger house is $16k? If so, that sort of variation in cost within 80 metres wouldn't be so strange. Also, house shape will affect footing costs, and a larger house doesn't always mean more expensive footings. If you check your contract, you may find you can get out of the contract based on the footings variation costs. However, if you might only be looking at $5k difference chances are it won't be worth changing around if you are otherwise happy with the build. Hello oneJohn, Thank you for the post.$20k is only for the extra sitework & footing above the standard.Combinging other site cost all up is 25k for a 164m2 house. I will check my contract soon. Cheers Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 18Apr 15, 2015 8:15 pm Got the phone call from the developer, was told the land next to my neighboure which is building with our company too. their footing report a little better than me. (these 3 houses are using different engineering companies) I was told just bad luck as my soil has too much clay. Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 19Apr 15, 2015 8:32 pm LittleSuzi cornellengineers Hi LittleSuzi I'm guessing your slab is a waffle slab with brick veneer walls? If I'm wrong let me know. According to AS2870 (the 'book' of standard waffle slab designs), a H2-D slab will be 460 high compared to a H1-D slab being only 385 high. That extra height (extra strength) results in extra concrete and extra fill around your house when it is complete. I think that will account for some of your cost increase. Compared to a Class S or Class M site, which is a 310 high slab and much lighter reinforcement (same brick veneer) the rest of your cost increase is accounted for. Some of your costs won't change (the concreter still has to turn up) so make sure your builder can itemise the price rise. Matt Cornell Hello Matt Thank you for your post. Yes, it is waffle slab with brick veneer . My footing schedule: Type Beam Size(mm)WidthXDepth Reinforcement top bottom Hangers Type A 250X650 1-N24 1-N24 W10 AT 1000 CTS Type B 250X650 1-N20 1-N24 W10 AT 1000 CTS Type C 250X550 1-N20 1-N24 W8 AT 1000 CTS Looks my footing depth is 650mm,much higher than the standard H2-D slab. Is that nessessory to put that much extra depth of slab? Sorry for the silly questions.haha Cheers, Suzi I assume your site is a class"p" site due to the developers fill so it is up to the engineer to design the appropriate footing which may account for variations from the standards. Is your slab going to be on piers? Re: Footing Variation with controlled fill 20Apr 15, 2015 8:41 pm insider LittleSuzi cornellengineers Hi LittleSuzi I'm guessing your slab is a waffle slab with brick veneer walls? If I'm wrong let me know. According to AS2870 (the 'book' of standard waffle slab designs), a H2-D slab will be 460 high compared to a H1-D slab being only 385 high. That extra height (extra strength) results in extra concrete and extra fill around your house when it is complete. I think that will account for some of your cost increase. Compared to a Class S or Class M site, which is a 310 high slab and much lighter reinforcement (same brick veneer) the rest of your cost increase is accounted for. Some of your costs won't change (the concreter still has to turn up) so make sure your builder can itemise the price rise. Matt Cornell Hello Matt Thank you for your post. Yes, it is waffle slab with brick veneer . My footing schedule: Type Beam Size(mm)WidthXDepth Reinforcement top bottom Hangers Type A 250X650 1-N24 1-N24 W10 AT 1000 CTS Type B 250X650 1-N20 1-N24 W10 AT 1000 CTS Type C 250X550 1-N20 1-N24 W8 AT 1000 CTS Looks my footing depth is 650mm,much higher than the standard H2-D slab. Is that nessessory to put that much extra depth of slab? Sorry for the silly questions.haha Cheers, Suzi I assume your site is a class"p" site due to the developers fill so it is up to the engineer to design the appropriate footing which may account for variations from the standards. Is your slab going to be on piers? Hi Insider Thank you for the post. Yes, it is P(past Tree Removal). Yes, the report design with the piers. Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 17321 yep sounds good make the footing bigger to to allow for the pipe in the middle 3 7316 PM me your email. I have a build excavation calculator you can use based on your plans to double check what your builder is telling you. Cheers Simeon 1 10236 |