Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 15, 2012 9:48 am Hey everyone, So nice to see that other people are building the Sahara. It's our dream home and can't wait to get things moving. We have signed in with Henley for the Sahara Q2 with a few additions. We have had a site survey done and we will be having the soil test done this week. Our color appointment is in two weeks with the tender happening in the first week of June. Does anyone know a rough cost for a "most likely" P class slab for the sahara? The only thing that worries me so far is that our Administrator has not contacted us. We have received a letter advising of the dates for the appointment but no calls or form of contact from her. Is this normal? How long has it taken your administrator to contact you? Re: Building Sahara Q2 with Henley - What should I be carefu 2May 15, 2012 10:13 am our modified slab for the q1 sahara was 14K approx, including all additional items. if you have the booking letter in the mail, then its normal that your admin might not have contacted you yet. she/he really doesnt get involved until your colours/selections are done and then they get to work. where are you building? Re: Building Sahara Q2 with Henley - What should I be carefu 3May 15, 2012 12:08 pm We are building in Springvale. We already have a house there and we are demolishing it to make space for the new one. Since we both work in the city, it's easier for us plus our land is already paid too! I figured that the slab amount would go up to $15K. Let's hope it's under (way under!) I also figured that I will posting my experience in my new blog: http://jayahouse.wordpress.com/ Re: Building Sahara Q2 with Henley - What should I be carefu 5May 16, 2012 1:20 pm Hi, We will be building with Henley too and are building the Aurora. My statement to you is question what they tell you if you don't like it and I will tell you why. We are at the stage of a 2nd survey and soil sample being completed. Although not visible to the naked eye, our block slopes 500mm left to right over 18m It has alot of fill on it one side (lower side) and our first soil came back suggesting an E1 slab which is 460mm thick Henley wouldn't sink the slab into the ground so transfer the 460mm across to the right hand side which is 500mm lower and we were set to have an alfresco area approx 960mm off the ground requiring steps which the idea of didn't sit well. Also due to the extra fill we were going to need a retaining wall the length of the house between the wall and the boundary. The distance is only about 2 metres so having a retaining wall in the middles renders the access space completely useless up the side of the house. Henley seemed to only suggest what was either simpler or cheaper for them. We had to suggest the idea of beam thickening and continuing the walls into the ground to create their own retaining wall. We still thought while yes, it was an option, it still required large batters around the base of the house and still not to our liking as the steps were still required. We decided to do our own cut on the block. Took the lowest point and cut into the block and took the dirt away. Cost of about 4K which would have been spent on the retaining walls anyway. Although we couldnt understand why a 2nd soil sample was required (subtract what we cut away from the original sample) they did it anyway and havent charged for it....yet The result was a H1 slab which reduces the slab to 385mm, and knocks another 4K off the price. Because the house is now on rock one side and fill the other we need perimeter piers on one side but we get our alfresco area on the ground with no steps required and we eliminate the need for retaining walls. We should come out in front $$$ wise and we get the slab sitting where we want. So as I said, if you don't like what is put to you, don't be afraid to question it and look for a better option as they generally wont suggest it. Hope that helps Brendan Re: Building Sahara Q2 with Henley - What should I be carefu 6May 16, 2012 3:39 pm good advice there..... there are always alot of "because it cant be done" answers, which i didnt really accept most times. at least 1/2 of those Henley finally included or were able to do... Re: Building Sahara Q2 with Henley - What should I be carefu 7May 17, 2012 8:52 am Thanks Brendan It's really good to see people getting what they want instead of what the builders proposes to get away with the cheap option. As for me, I do not have any knowledge when it comes to deciding what to do depending on the soil test. How long does it take to get the results back from the site survey and soil tests? I have a feeling that our land is mostly filled land. From what Henley has showed me, most people in Springvale had to go with a P class slab. My next door neighbors had to put a P class slab as well. I suppose I should employ the services of an independent inspectors since my knowledge is nil. Re: Building Sahara Q2 with Henley - What should I be carefu 8May 17, 2012 12:30 pm Soild test comes back in a few days. Survey takes a little longer. This is my first house and my first build so I am learning as I go too. From what I have learnt if the classification is a 'P' (Problem Site) it will also have another letter to go with it H1, H2, E1, E2 etc etc. You don't need to be an expert to question them. Like in our case having an alfresco area 960mm off the ground doesn't sound right so the alarm bells started ringing I guess just wait till you get the soil/survey back. If there is alot of fill as you say and your block isn't flat, you might want to look at cutting it to make it flat. When it comes back, ask on here or send me an email, id be happy to help But as I said, this is new to me too but it's something I have picked up on. Good Luck I've decided, after a period of confusion (my building broker told me it's probably not worth it to use a lawyer, but others have said it is a must) that I definitely will… 7 27951 Hi, If you give a set of criteria as to what means 'good' to you, it'll give others prompts to respond. We considered Henley early on but there were two factors that… 1 10496 i imagine you also have another contract with an architect? and yeah, whatever other's said about special conditions and appendices 16 16001 |