Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 08, 2014 8:35 pm SOS!!!! Hi, This is our first building so desperately need your advice on the site classification and site cost , please help us! We are building a knockdown rebuilt gome with Metricon, got the soil test quoted as follows " 2.3 Site Classification In Accordance With AS2870-2011 In accordance with AS2870-2011 “Residential Slabs and Footings Construction” a site classification of Class “P” is applicable to this site due to an abnormal moisture condition – trees and an existing building on site and trees on adjacent sites. This site is subject to abnormal moisture conditions which must be alleviated or allowed for in the design of the footing system. In the absence of these abnormal moisture conditions, the designing engineer should recognise that the natural soils encountered on this site result in a class “M” site classification applying to this site. On the basis of the findings in this investigation, including visual-tactile identification of the soil profile combined with this writer’s local knowledge and experience, the characteristic surface Intrax Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd Confidential 29 September 2014 V:iv Engineer: Prageeth Edirisinghe Page 4 of 13 movement (Ys) on this site – under normal conditions – has been estimated to be in the range of 20mm to 40mm. ....." and the site cost they are going to charge us is huge amount- more than 62k!!! quote "Site Works $ 11,510.00 Site Fall :- Provide Site Cut and Fill to R.L 70.40 in lieu of standard site scrape including the following : - Removal of surface vegetation from building area. - Removal of all surplus soil from site. - AG Drains to base of excavation including silt pits. As deemed necessary by Metricon Homes Pty Ltd. To be read in conjunction with Standard specification.PROVISIONAL SUM - Due to demolition. $18,249.00 Provide modified class H2 concrete waffle slab in lieu of standard including the following: * 385mm freeboard * Additional and upgraded reinforcement * Bored concrete piers to recommended founding depth. * Deepened edge beam rebated where indicated. * 135mm (nom) Garage, Portico and Outdoor Room slab stepdown. * Bulk concrete due to founding depth. * Removal/Spread of surplus soil relating to foundation works. Note: To be read in conjunction with Standard specification and Intrax Soil Test Report No. 60450. PROVISIONAL SUM - Due to demolition and awaiting final slab design. " the balance amount $32241 is for OH&S, temporary fencing and additional requirements!!! We have no idea why the classification is "P", but it seems surface movement is rather with "M" , and Metricon design the site work to class "H2" and I can't believe in my eyes that the OH &S with fencing...etc can eat up more than 32k. what can I do now ? I am going to sign prelimary contract next week . but we don't have such big budget for site cost. Big thanks. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 2Nov 08, 2014 9:20 pm The main reasons why the foundation is P are: 1.Due to the site requiring cut and fill you will be partially building on fill which can cause problems (see http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/08/bui ... ete-piers/) The drop edge beam which is also an extra is required to keep the fill in place under the building. 2. Building on clay means that there may be future shrinking or swelling of the soil. On a vacant site with no trees this can be even movement. With your site the area around the trees and under the building will be dry and may later swell. The area of garden may well be wet and later shrink once the building is in place. 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: site classification and site cost- please help! 3Nov 08, 2014 9:40 pm Hi Rubberman0404 You should have got preliminary engineering advice and costs before you started designing Unfortunately you havent provide enough information above I am happy to take a quick look please leave a PM Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 4Nov 08, 2014 10:18 pm "the balance amount $32241 is for OH&S, temporary fencing and additional requirements!!!" This seems excessive I would question this cost.It's more than your site works and extra foundation requirements combined!!! Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 5Nov 09, 2014 8:28 pm Thanks a lot for your valuable information, seems I have to spend more money for the footing, is there any advice on how to negotiate with builder on the OH&S cost, I also reckon that it is much excessive . I have fence along the two rear sides however they put in the temporary fence cost about $7000. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 6Nov 09, 2014 8:59 pm rubberman0404 Thanks a lot for your valuable information, seems I have to spend more money for the footing, is there any advice on how to negotiate with builder on the OH&S cost, I also reckon that it is much excessive . I have fence along the two rear sides however they put in the temporary fence cost about $7000. Get the builder to itemise the costs and ring around and get some of your own quotes using the time line they are talking about for your build.They probably will be able to get lower costs than you can due to the volumes they use but at least you will have an idea whether they are being unreasonable or not. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 7Nov 10, 2014 8:48 am OK thanks, will ask around , starting from one of our neighbour who built the new house just more than a year, and I will try to get the information from Council about all the requirements. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 9Nov 10, 2014 11:54 am Hi All Is there anyone who is building with Metricon, if yes please help me to check this point in your contract , the Owner pays the cost of obtaining the Asset Protection Permit and any bond required however in case there is any damage to the vehicle crossover, footpath, kerb or existing fence of the adjacent properties caused by building works, who will be responsible for repairing, Owner or Builder ? Metricon is asking us to bear all these rectification works and costs if any which seems not really reasonable. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 11Nov 10, 2014 12:40 pm Ponzu my temp fencing cost $500. 7 grand is stupid. Sorry just double checked - $984. 82 meters at $12 per meter. Creator of superduperonium, expert at expert things, nobel laureate, can hold my breath for 10 minutes. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 12Nov 10, 2014 12:51 pm rubberman0404 Hi All Is there anyone who is building with Metricon, if yes please help me to check this point in your contract , the Owner pays the cost of obtaining the Asset Protection Permit and any bond required however in case there is any damage to the vehicle crossover, footpath, kerb or existing fence of the adjacent properties caused by building works, who will be responsible for repairing, Owner or Builder ? Metricon is asking us to bear all these rectification works and costs if any which seems not really reasonable. The responsibility for protecting Council assets rests with the owner of the property, who is held liable for the full cost of replacing damaged assets caused by the owner, their builder or contractor. Therefore any damage within the building works area will need to be repaired by the owner, unless it can be shown that the damage was the result of another contractor not associated with the building works. (thats from moreland council - would be the same everywhere elese) However, pretty sure the builders carry insurance that covers for this. Creator of superduperonium, expert at expert things, nobel laureate, can hold my breath for 10 minutes. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 14Nov 10, 2014 1:30 pm Many thanks Ponzu, just need to clarify this with builder. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 15Nov 10, 2014 2:25 pm Hi Rubberman, I dont know much about this topic BUT ive just had my soil test come in as a 'P' as well. My site is newly developed and has fill. It is dead flat with no vegetation or trees. However, the developer is providing me a level 1 compaction certificate which should see the soil test re-graded to a H2. Maybe you need a compaction certificate? Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 16Nov 10, 2014 9:20 pm Hi Bonnie having a meeting with builder tomorow, will ask them to clarify all about site cost. for our site they also propose class H2 concrete waffle slab. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 17Nov 10, 2014 9:28 pm Bonnie_p Hi Rubberman, I dont know much about this topic BUT ive just had my soil test come in as a 'P' as well. My site is newly developed and has fill. It is dead flat with no vegetation or trees. However, the developer is providing me a level 1 compaction certificate which should see the soil test re-graded to a H2. Maybe you need a compaction certificate? Just be careful with what you think you will get because the developer has provided a level 1 certificate.It's up to the soil testing company and ultimately the engineer to decide what type of footings system you end up with.They may say the fill is not good enough or deeper than the developer claims.Re classing a fill site is a big call but hopefully yours is ok. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 18Nov 10, 2014 11:25 pm Please for your own sake don't sign any variation or agreement until you employ someone like building expert to oversee these things. Put it this way, I have a p class slab, it was dead flat land and they classed it that way because of the layer of fill and clay. The movement was predicted between 40-70. And I have 42 piers under my slab and I still got slab heave. The similar type of slab you mentioned, Is a slab doesn't move as one, instead I have a dishing effect. Internal walls being lifted off the ground, cracking plasterwork, buckling, doors sticking or jamming and finally two walls of cornice collapsing from the roof without warning. This is the time you need to protect yourself. Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 19Nov 11, 2014 8:48 am Slab Heave Recipient Please for your own sake don't sign any variation or agreement until you employ someone like building expert to oversee these things. Put it this way, I have a p class slab, it was dead flat land and they classed it that way because of the layer of fill and clay. The movement was predicted between 40-70. And I have 42 piers under my slab and I still got slab heave. The similar type of slab you mentioned, Is a slab doesn't move as one, instead I have a dishing effect. Internal walls being lifted off the ground, cracking plasterwork, buckling, doors sticking or jamming and finally two walls of cornice collapsing from the roof without warning. This is the time you need to protect yourself. OMG this sounds extremely serious and is very worrying to me. what actions would you recommend i take? Re: site classification and site cost- please help! 20Nov 11, 2014 10:15 am Bonnie_p Slab Heave Recipient Please for your own sake don't sign any variation or agreement until you employ someone like building expert to oversee these things. Put it this way, I have a p class slab, it was dead flat land and they classed it that way because of the layer of fill and clay. The movement was predicted between 40-70. And I have 42 piers under my slab and I still got slab heave. The similar type of slab you mentioned, Is a slab doesn't move as one, instead I have a dishing effect. Internal walls being lifted off the ground, cracking plasterwork, buckling, doors sticking or jamming and finally two walls of cornice collapsing from the roof without warning. This is the time you need to protect yourself. OMG this sounds extremely serious and is very worrying to me. what actions would you recommend i take? Educate yourself on the topic. Most new homeowners have zero idea and either let it happen or contribute to it though ignorance of the subject. Granted some eduxated people just aren5 assertive enough to call out builders also. Its a complicated situation There is no one stop shop for this info, but there is a wealth of threads on this topic on this forum thats a good place to start. Then google and depending on how good your internet skillz are, locating free copies of otherwise costly standards and codes. The building code for instance is accessible online from one of th threads on here (cant recall which). That code itself is about 400 bucks for the two books. Creator of superduperonium, expert at expert things, nobel laureate, can hold my breath for 10 minutes. 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 37159 Thanks for the insight! My plot is a new development so hopefully I won't have too much problem during build as everyone should be roughly building together. I also… 2 3381 Approvals are covered in the cost we are paying to the pool company. The only thing stated in our home build contract for the additional cost is engineering support. … 3 7136 |