Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 20, 2014 8:40 pm Hiya, Looking at building in Bedfordale, WA but a bit concerned about the varying stories of site work costs? We are first time builders. So we are looking for some info on: What is involved in site works? Does anyone recommend builders who passed on a genuine SW cost without a huge profit margin added on top? I have been advised to speak to Moles about an estimate costs but most co's we spoke to today in the display village we just happened to be passing all said they would not allow us to complete our own site works. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 2Sep 20, 2014 9:55 pm Site works include clearing, cut/fill, sand pad, septics, leech drains, soakwells, services trenching and rock pitching. We are building in Bedfordale and Washington's did our earth works. We were going to do it outside our builders contract but would have to become owner builders. Our siteworks including builders margin was <50k. What sort of house you looking at? Where you looking in Bedfordale? Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 3Sep 20, 2014 11:45 pm site works cost is to do with the land you buy and what is needed to be done to the land in order for your house to be built on it and this cost is only estimated until a site survey and soil test is carried out. because of where i am building and the soil i only need a fraction done compared to Jays, site clearing and compaction, sand pad, services trenching and soakwells but i had to pay $1000 verg council fee but all up came to $10k. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 4Sep 20, 2014 11:48 pm Hi Larkey5 There are plenty of threads in here about Bedfordale builds from 2 or so years ago. Lots of discussion about earthworks too. Let me know if you cant find them. I too am building in Bedfordale, Im way behind Jays, but I have had Moles out on site twice to do cost estimates. I have nothing to compare them to pricewise, but they were very helpful and knowledgable of the area. (they had done earthworks on 4 other houses in street). One thing I can say is there is massive variations in earthworks costs. (mine is nearly double Jays) and is heavily influenced by slope, rock, tree coverage etc. (I need 2200 tonne of sand alone) I have used a building broker to design our home and put it out to tender. I am yet to choose a builder (hopefully sorted in next 3 weeks just waiting on last quote) however both of the ones im looking at allow me to do my own earthworks. Roughly which area you looking at building in? Goodluck and once i get further into my build I may be able to offer further info. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 5Sep 21, 2014 9:32 am We are looking at a block in Bedfordale Estate. I noticed a lot of the houses out there have signs up for co's who have done their EW and got a few contacts to get prices on that but don't want to get stung by building companies and they seem very shady about the cost varying greatly which I understand obviously does dep on the results of soil tests etc but we don't want to get stuck in a situation where we are caught out after being forced to pay A LOT more than the actual. House wise we have just started looking in to it and getting a feel for what we like. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 6Sep 21, 2014 10:14 am You may be able to provide chosen builder with a quote for your prefered EM for them to use. Expect that they will charge up to 20% more to cover their side of things, but at least you will have some clarity in pricing. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 7Sep 22, 2014 7:06 pm Hi Larkey5 We are also building in Bedfordale and have just started our site works. We are doing owner builder though and I spent weeks getting quotes from various earth work companies - and they varied so much! We decided to use NLG Earthworks as the quote they gave us had no hidden extras (some companies charge rock breaking by the hour, we're 2 weeks into site works and still breaking through rock!) I have to say all the other companies were very helpful and all offered good advice. I had quotes from Moles, PJ Consultants, Black Dog and Darling Downs. The cost of our site works is $100k and that includes clearing the block, all rock breaking and removing from site, soak wells, septics, pool, shed, footings for our retainer wall, service trenches and sand. I have heard from various other people that Gemmill Homes, Shelford and Red Ink allow you to do your own site works. Call into the sales office up there and speak to Ray White, he's a mine field of information and knows which house builders will agree to it and which ones won't. Hope this little bit of info helps. Good Luck Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 8Sep 22, 2014 8:45 pm Rubenn good to see another build in the area. Should start a post with the details. Our costs are lower than these as we have a smaller foot print (two storey), didn't clear a lot of the block and haven't yet dug the hole for the pool Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 10Sep 25, 2014 10:55 pm Asked one of the companies quoting for our build today about outsourcing earthworks, confirmed they don't have an issue, but did explain may have to go owner builder due to city of armadale rules. Sounds like what you found out jays. What's involved in becoming an owner builder? (Just for purpose of earthworks) Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 11Sep 26, 2014 1:04 am Yes also interested in hearing more about owner / builder. Initially, I just want to do the site works to save $ but then today I was given number of a tiler who does a great job & will lay large rectified tiles through out house at no extra cost. Even on our current reno'ed house I never found a tiler who didn't want to charge me extra for working with rectified tiles. I'm now wondering if I can tell the building co we'll do the site works & the tiling. Do you have to be owner / builder to organise stuff like that yourself? Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 12Sep 26, 2014 9:13 am Hi Larkey,Guys If you post some pictures up I will have a quick look at them for you. I suggest you get a site investigation done by a (professional) engineer rather than a salesman....the legal term "caveat semper" comes to mind.HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 13Sep 26, 2014 6:48 pm To be an owner builder had to be certified by the building commission. To do this I would have had to evidence that I was able to successfully owner build by scoring enough points against their criteria. For example doing an owner builder course was 60 points from memory. Then it's a matter of paying money and waiting for their assessment. I believe only need to be owner builder if works > 20k and is not being managed by a registered builder. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 14Sep 26, 2014 10:38 pm Thanks structural guy. I have had structure out to site to do their thing. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 15Sep 27, 2014 9:00 am Hi Perth_Euro Its always good to start off on the right foot... you will definitely need all that information and more for Building and it will influence your Design and Costings greatly. I also suggest once you recieve the contour survey and site inspection that you dig a few more holes yourself as the site investigation only requires a few holes to be analysed. The holes that you dig will assist you on the earthworks and the Finished floor levels (FFLs), cut & fill, septics, type of pool, etc,etc. Post a few photos and info as I am happy to guide you through any difficulties...HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 16Sep 27, 2014 9:08 am Thanks structural guy. I actually contemplated hiring a smal excavator and digging some holes to explore a little what lays below surface. Was going to take the opportunity to dig some holes for trees while I was at it. Plus it would be fun Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 17Sep 27, 2014 9:24 am Sorry Perth_Euro I just notice your build and had a quick read it looks like you have things in hand. Unfortunately, my time is limited on forums/blogs, being a design engineer->->Contractor, I am flat out busy in the supply chain But Id rather spend a little time at the initial stage helping people than at the end of the cycle doing Structural/Building repairs. I suggest you get full engineering done and nail down those PCs , PSs, and details, you dont want any surprises in the Houses life cycle. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 18Sep 27, 2014 10:12 am No worries, thanks for taking the time to read my thread , I value your input and will have more questions in the future no doubt. Re: Site Works - Whats involved? 19May 26, 2015 9:30 pm Never came back to update for the earlier posters. We ended up doing Earthworks through our building company, Activa Developments. Washingtons actually did the job. (Same mob as Jays) Activa organised it and provided me with the quote price plus 10% for the job to be managed and covered by builders warranty. Very happy with the outcome. Lots of pics on my thread. MBA and HIA both have sub contract agreements, check them out 2 7315 I want to build a bigger driveway (without a nature strip) than has been approved under my CDC. I’ve also had a DA approved to build a deck. It looks like I can do this… 0 4809 Fair Trading can issue orders to rectify and complete but once the matter goes to NCAT these orders are automatically vacated. You will have to terminate contract and sue… 21 29710 |