Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 01, 2015 10:33 am My partner and I have decided to go with a particular builder for our first home. Plans are done and we have paid the deposit for our soil report (June 10). We were told it would take about 3 weeks. .....We are still waiting on our soil report. Not once did the builder get in touch with us to give us an update, we were constantly chasing them. They eventually told us that the soil report hasn't been done yet because the block is too wet and they will get bogged and they need to wait until the block dries. To be fair, it is the middle of winter and the block is in Mt. Barker. I have been to the block a few times to check, it is muddy but not enough to NOT be able to get on it. Don't these guys have 4x4's ? So we waited.. another few weeks went by.. WE called the builder for an update, still too wet.. Last week my partner called the salesman for an update and to also tell him we are considering looking at a different builder, because this is getting ridiculous. The salesman's response was 'It's not our fault your block is wet'. He's right, its not his fault. But a phone call or even an email just to let us know where things were at would have been GREAT. After that, we received a phone call from the builders Client Services Officer. She told us she will be working on trying to get things moving and will keep us updated. She has been good, but still.... the block is too wet! She said a soil report cant be done on wet soil as the readings wont be accurate. I called an engineering company yesterday and they told me that a soil report CAN be done on a wet block. Even if they can't get on the block with their vehicles, they should have portable devices to take soil samples. He pretty much said that's BullS*$%. Has anyone else had an issue like this or similar? We are now looking at different builders... Know of any good ones in Adelaide? Re: Soil Report Drama's 2Sep 01, 2015 3:03 pm We had the same issue with our builder claiming the site was too wet, they were booked in before the Easter break so we could find out if we were going ahead with the build as the finance clause was nearing an end. It was raining on the weekend prior to when the test was due, we were told it was done and in the lab then the day before the break I was advised it wasn't actually done. I went off at our sales consultant and called head office to complain who then arranged the soil test as soon as the Easter break finished. After seeing the truck I can understand why, they have a massive drill on the back so it would weigh the truck down a lot. Not doing it via hand though I cannot explain and the poor communication at this stage would be concerning as well. I am not sure whether Perth has its own way of doing things in regards to this. Most of Perth has class A (sandy soil), except for some areas near rivers or hills. 2 13105 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 37150 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair I'm in WA and our sandy soils make drainage a bit easier but this is what I'd be doing. Dig down to your footings and let the wall dry out. Clean it all well by brushing… 1 5197 |