Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 27, 2014 4:11 pm Good afternoon Homeone Experts... I can't find a simliar thread and I just need some quick advice! I'm looking to build on a new piece of land that slopes down 1m from left to right. I talked to a builder at a display home and he told me the high side would be cut 0.5m and to fill the low side to get a level block to put the slab on. In addition, a 0.5m retaining wall would be required on the left side because after the cut the block would be 0.5m below ground. I am afraid that being below ground would give drainage problems - would it be better to ask for a 1m fill on the right side of the block instead? Advantages of fill would be: house on ground level, removing the cost of retaining wall, no possible drainage problems. Disadvantages would be: added cost of fill I'm hoping the cost differences would not be too great. . Am I missing anything? If fill costs too much I was curious if I could fill the lower right side with less than 1m of dirt, say 0.6m, then raise the lower side using bricks to increase the height of the slab. The block is approximately 500m2 I'm building in the ACT if that helps. Building is both exciting and stressful Re: Question regarding cut and fill and retaining walls 2Apr 27, 2014 5:55 pm Even if you don't cut the neighbour on the high side may well use fill so you will have a retaining wall at that side. The more fill you put in a block the more you have to pay for foundations. You can build the house a bit higher by putting in a drop edge beam (see this link for further explanantion an an idea of cost: http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2013/07/drop-edge-beams/) 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: Question regarding cut and fill and retaining walls 3Apr 27, 2014 7:11 pm Thanks for the information Bashworth. I had a look on the webpage and it was very informative. Building is both exciting and stressful 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 3250 i would not be signing anything on the day read your contract about when builder submits final invoice generally, have to meet builder within 7 days of receiving final… 1 2573 Hi All, Recently we have signed a contract with Burbank and we are not aware that they have just DORSET, SURREY, HAMPSHIRE, KENT, PILBARA and REDGUM bricks from PGH are… 0 1184 |