Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 27, 2013 7:35 pm Hey guys this is my very first post so go easy. Lol. We purchased a block of land in September on a condition we get the soil test performed by the developer. This test came back an M class. Plantation homes allow for a H1 class but informed us if the test came back an M it would reduce our costs by a few thousand. We just put down our initial 1500 and the soil test came back a H1 class. Plantation didnt know we already had a test done 6 months ago. Looking at the reports they are almost identical and by having the builders one simply change it to a H1 I feel like they are working for the builder and I'm being ripped off. We called our consultant from plantation to discuss the issue. He gave us the number to the person who conducted the test and advise we send them the developers test. He then went on to say we will try and get it thru as a M class. This all sounds very suss and offputting. Any one else experienced such differences in testing. Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 2Feb 27, 2013 8:56 pm You are right! "If it looks wrong it is" It looks like soil tester is compromised. I assume you have not signed a building contract. "DON'T" and shop around. Overclassifying site and over engineering slab is a quick way to make a lot of money especially if you are already committed. If required I would be getting another opinion. Go slow! If it does not feel right then walk. 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: Developers soil test versus builders test 3Mar 17, 2013 8:46 pm building-expert You are right! "If it looks wrong it is" It looks like soil tester is compromised. I assume you have not signed a building contract. "DON'T" and shop around. Overclassifying site and over engineering slab is a quick way to make a lot of money especially if you are already committed. If required I would be getting another opinion. Go slow! If it does not feel right then walk. Good advice! Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 4Sep 18, 2013 3:25 pm as for the soil test. If the builder's report came back saying it's H1 (but it's in face a M), would they put down the slab or whatever that is required for H1 soil? or they just put down what's required for M since they know it's M-class soil, and ripping off the client?! Or from builder's point of view, they just treat it as H1 and build a H1 slab....and still make a bigger margin of profit than M class? Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 5Sep 18, 2013 4:35 pm Far be it for me to defend PH but the site could quite well be a borderline M/H1. You said the reports are "almost identical", the question really is what are the differences. Comparing the two soil tests: What was the ys number from each report? (will be in a table like LAB TEST RESULTS) was the lab test carried out on the same borehole, or at least a hole in the same area? ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 6Sep 18, 2013 6:26 pm From what I've read previously the soil test is a subjective one so two people could look at the same test but clarify the soil type differently. I could be wrong on that though. Council holds a test done on my site about a year ago and called it H1. We've since received two tenders and one is calling it an M site, the other an H. http://camdenbuild.blogspot.com.au/ by invite only please pm me Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 7Sep 18, 2013 7:51 pm robbie55 From what I've read previously the soil test is a subjective one so two people could look at the same test but clarify the soil type differently. I could be wrong on that though. I think you are. Boreholes are drilled and a sample is taken to be examined by a lab, itβs tested in accordance to AS1289 (7.1.1, 7.1.2 and 7.1.3). The site classification is then based on those results and reading AS2870-2011, Section 2 β Site Classification. robbie55 Council holds a test done on my site about a year ago and called it H1. We've since received two tenders and one is calling it an M site, the other an H. As mentioned above in my last post, your site could be a borderline M/H (also "H" is an old code designations, it doesn't exist anymore). Get a copy of both soil reports and look for the lab results. There should a ys value. "S".........0 < ys <= 20 "M".......20 < ys <= 40 "H1"......40 < ys <= 60 "H2"......60 < ys <= 75 "E"...............ys > 75 ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 8Sep 19, 2013 6:04 am Thanks for clarifying. Sorry when I said H above I meant H1. The council report simply says H1, one builder has not provided a full report but had come back as P but designed an M class slab (included). The last has provided a full report - result 43ys, H1 slab ($3k extra). What do you think is the best way to go. The one that's offering the M slab is my preferred builder (not based on price). Even if I ask and pay them to do an H slab, how would I even know if they have? http://camdenbuild.blogspot.com.au/ by invite only please pm me Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 9Sep 19, 2013 6:33 am When we were going to build with MJH their soil test came back as an m class slab. When we decided to go with Rawson we offered to give them the soil test from the MJH test and they declined and did their own. It came back as an H2 slab due to our block being clay. At first I was upset thinking we were going to have to pay $5k extra for something that was not necessary. My boss who is a builder said my block was an H slab due to the clay - the whole suburb is the same. The concretors mentioned that they have not done a slab as thick as mine for years, but for our soil type it was needed. If the developer has deemed it an H - go for the higher slab. It may cost a little bit but you have piece of mind, plus your whole house is sitting on that slab Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 10Sep 19, 2013 6:44 am Quote: The one that's offering the M slab is my preferred builder (not based on price). Even if I ask and pay them to do an H slab, how would I even know if they have? robbie55 ask to see the engineers drawings for both versions of slabs. When they have formed it up go and have a look at it and take some measurements. The higher rated slab should be thicker with a larger edge beam to it. Stewie Re: Developers soil test versus builders test 11Sep 19, 2013 7:10 am Thanks Jen and Stewie. Sorry to hijack this thread - I tend to do that all too often. I'll have a look at upgrading the slab. http://camdenbuild.blogspot.com.au/ by invite only please pm me 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 37143 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12338 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 3672 |