Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Site Costs - Please advise 6Apr 20, 2020 9:15 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Site Costs - Please advise 7Apr 20, 2020 11:24 am 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: Site Costs - Please advise 8Apr 21, 2020 2:31 pm building-expert Would not BV home on strip footings and stumps be more economical? Thank you for the comment. What does BV home stands for? Re: Site Costs - Please advise 9Apr 21, 2020 2:31 pm StructuralBIMGuy You need the certified engineering Drawings, use 3D Bim( Modelling) to extract the data, quants ie volumes ( see below) Then compare the Builders/trades quotes with your Bim quants, use realistic rates and costs and put the builder on notice " ....times are tough prepare to drop your charges..if not find someone else..." Has the engineer over engineered my slab Cheers Chris Thank you for the comment. Based on my understanding from your comment, I need ask the builder for the certified engineering drawings right? Thanks Re: Site Costs - Please advise 11Apr 21, 2020 2:36 pm firsthome_2020 StructuralBIMGuy You need the certified engineering Drawings, use 3D Bim( Modelling) to extract the data, quants ie volumes ( see below) Then compare the Builders/trades quotes with your Bim quants, use realistic rates and costs and put the builder on notice " ....times are tough prepare to drop your charges..if not find someone else..." Has the engineer over engineered my slab Cheers Chris Thank you for the comment. Based on my understanding from your comment, I need ask the builder for the certified engineering drawings right? Thanks i don't think your builder would have them at this stage Re: Site Costs - Please advise 12Apr 21, 2020 2:55 pm firsthome_2020 Thank you for the comment. Based on my understanding from your comment, I need ask the builder for the certified engineering drawings right? Thanks Correct you can't build nor accurately price the build without the certified engineering. The builder just puts provisional sum that always go up in price, and you cant check what they relate to without further information Beware of builders that progressively return for more monies and lure you in further . eg Deposit for plans-> deposit for tender-> deposit for engineering-> deposit for building insurance, etc before you realise it you've paid 10-15% before they start building and the builder knows you aren't likely to pull out. Better known as front Loading the Contract...it's a recipe for disaster OT design and engineering should only cost 2-3% of the contract Builders have realised that clients will walk and lose 3% if the builder starts Gouging 15-20%..do the math Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Site Costs - Please advise 13Apr 25, 2020 1:10 pm Hi firsthome_2020,
A better explanation below: firsthome_2020 1) There is a retaining wall at the front of the lot is that what you are referring to as a permanent boundary? Not so much that particular boundary. What I'm referring to is that the property owner is obliged to maintain stability in all neighbouring properties where their build involves a lowering of the site surface level below that of the surrounding neighbours. It's hard to tell (because the plans are combined) but it looks like at the completion of the building pad (at around RL101m), the height difference between the top right corner of the pad and height of the neighbouring property to the east (or right) could be around 1.6m max and within about 1m from the shared boundary. If this is the case you will need to support that boundary by building a retaining wall-it may be already allowed for in the cost but make sure it is because temporary construction batters may become insufficient permanent support to boundaries in the eyes of the council. If this isn't included in the price, you should obtain a quote. It will be more expensive after completion than before and may involve: 1. A separate DA due to the height and location 2. A geotechnical investigation as it falls under DA requirements 3. Engineer designed wall due to DA requirements 4. Restricted access construction as the site surface has been made inaccessible so costs increase. There are a few other spots that are a bit unclear and I think you need a set of clear plans-I would ask for at least the site levels before the benching and proposed shown on two separate plans. I could be misreading things but confirm this with the builder/developer what the situation is with retaining walls, excavation depths etc. The type of application (CDC v DA) may be determining what retention is allowed to be built. firsthome_2020 2) Is that the question I should the builder? I'm being slightly harsh here but: If no boreholes have been done and the investigation is actually a fill validation the section of text that begins 'Provide prelim'... and ends ‘Owner/s by variation' really reads: 'I have no idea what type, depth, method of installation, equipment or costs might be involved to construct the footings. Could be the structural engineer needs a geotech investigation to design them, who knows. Anyway, here is a random figure but you’ll pay whatever it takes.’ The question I would ask the builder (developer?) is how was that price arrived at? You need to know what has been allowed for in terms of footing depths/type and installation methods. sometimes it's not so much the amount of concrete, steel etc that is needed in the footings which will determine site costs but how easily the footings can be constructed. firsthome_2020 3) borehole logs : Do you know which report contains that information? In the comments at the bottom of the Soil Tests section are the words 'advice from XXXXXX in report 1190273-26’ and if boreholes exist they will have them. Give them a call and explain your position, see what they come back with. BTW XXXXX is an established company with a good reputation and I would hide their name from your post and I'll do the same after you have read this. It is a bit unfair to them as they appear to have nothing involvement apart from some early testing which the current builder/developer has got hold of. Keep us posted-I'm curious to see what fills in the gaps Re: Site Costs - Please advise 14Apr 28, 2020 9:48 am worldofmud Hi firsthome_2020, A better explanation below: firsthome_2020 1) There is a retaining wall at the front of the lot is that what you are referring to as a permanent boundary? Not so much that particular boundary. What I'm referring to is that the property owner is obliged to maintain stability in all neighbouring properties where their build involves a lowering of the site surface level below that of the surrounding neighbours. It's hard to tell (because the plans are combined) but it looks like at the completion of the building pad (at around RL101m), the height difference between the top right corner of the pad and height of the neighbouring property to the east (or right) could be around 1.6m max and within about 1m from the shared boundary. If this is the case you will need to support that boundary by building a retaining wall-it may be already allowed for in the cost but make sure it is because temporary construction batters may become insufficient permanent support to boundaries in the eyes of the council. If this isn't included in the price, you should obtain a quote. It will be more expensive after completion than before and may involve: 1. A separate DA due to the height and location 2. A geotechnical investigation as it falls under DA requirements 3. Engineer designed wall due to DA requirements 4. Restricted access construction as the site surface has been made inaccessible so costs increase. There are a few other spots that are a bit unclear and I think you need a set of clear plans-I would ask for at least the site levels before the benching and proposed shown on two separate plans. I could be misreading things but confirm this with the builder/developer what the situation is with retaining walls, excavation depths etc. The type of application (CDC v DA) may be determining what retention is allowed to be built. firsthome_2020 2) Is that the question I should the builder? I'm being slightly harsh here but: If no boreholes have been done and the investigation is actually a fill validation the section of text that begins 'Provide prelim'... and ends ‘Owner/s by variation' really reads: 'I have no idea what type, depth, method of installation, equipment or costs might be involved to construct the footings. Could be the structural engineer needs a geotech investigation to design them, who knows. Anyway, here is a random figure but you’ll pay whatever it takes.’ The question I would ask the builder (developer?) is how was that price arrived at? You need to know what has been allowed for in terms of footing depths/type and installation methods. sometimes it's not so much the amount of concrete, steel etc that is needed in the footings which will determine site costs but how easily the footings can be constructed. firsthome_2020 3) borehole logs : Do you know which report contains that information? In the comments at the bottom of the Soil Tests section are the words 'advice from <> in report 1190273-26’ and if boreholes exist they will have them. Give them a call and explain your position, see what they come back with. <> is an established company with a good reputation and I would hide their name from your post and I'll do the same after you have read this. It is a bit unfair to them as they appear to have nothing involvement apart from some early testing which the current builder/developer has got hold of. Keep us posted-I'm curious to see what fills in the gaps Hi Mate, thanks heaps for the detailed update. It will take some time for me to digest this. Please remove their name from your post, I have removed it from my post too. I did remove everything from the reports but somehow missed this bit. Thanks heaps. Re: Site Costs - Please advise 15May 01, 2020 8:17 pm ×firsthome_2020 worldofmud Hi firsthome_2020, A better explanation below: firsthome_2020 1) There is a retaining wall at the front of the lot is that what you are referring to as a permanent boundary? Not so much that particular boundary. What I'm referring to is that the property owner is obliged to maintain stability in all neighbouring properties where their build involves a lowering of the site surface level below that of the surrounding neighbours. It's hard to tell (because the plans are combined) but it looks like at the completion of the building pad (at around RL101m), the height difference between the top right corner of the pad and height of the neighbouring property to the east (or right) could be around 1.6m max and within about 1m from the shared boundary. If this is the case you will need to support that boundary by building a retaining wall-it may be already allowed for in the cost but make sure it is because temporary construction batters may become insufficient permanent support to boundaries in the eyes of the council. If this isn't included in the price, you should obtain a quote. It will be more expensive after completion than before and may involve: 1. A separate DA due to the height and location 2. A geotechnical investigation as it falls under DA requirements 3. Engineer designed wall due to DA requirements 4. Restricted access construction as the site surface has been made inaccessible so costs increase. There are a few other spots that are a bit unclear and I think you need a set of clear plans-I would ask for at least the site levels before the benching and proposed shown on two separate plans. I could be misreading things but confirm this with the builder/developer what the situation is with retaining walls, excavation depths etc. The type of application (CDC v DA) may be determining what retention is allowed to be built. firsthome_2020 2) Is that the question I should the builder? I'm being slightly harsh here but: If no boreholes have been done and the investigation is actually a fill validation the section of text that begins 'Provide prelim'... and ends ‘Owner/s by variation' really reads: 'I have no idea what type, depth, method of installation, equipment or costs might be involved to construct the footings. Could be the structural engineer needs a geotech investigation to design them, who knows. Anyway, here is a random figure but you’ll pay whatever it takes.’ The question I would ask the builder (developer?) is how was that price arrived at? You need to know what has been allowed for in terms of footing depths/type and installation methods. sometimes it's not so much the amount of concrete, steel etc that is needed in the footings which will determine site costs but how easily the footings can be constructed. firsthome_2020 3) borehole logs : Do you know which report contains that information? In the comments at the bottom of the Soil Tests section are the words 'advice from <> in report 1190273-26’ and if boreholes exist they will have them. Give them a call and explain your position, see what they come back with. <> is an established company with a good reputation and I would hide their name from your post and I'll do the same after you have read this. It is a bit unfair to them as they appear to have nothing involvement apart from some early testing which the current builder/developer has got hold of. Keep us posted-I'm curious to see what fills in the gaps Hi Mate, thanks heaps for the detailed update. It will take some time for me to digest this. Please remove their name from your post, I have removed it from my post too. I did remove everything from the reports but somehow missed this bit. Thanks heaps. No worries at all. If the developer/builder has a perfectly reasonable explanation all well and good. But there are lots and lots of questions here which need to be answered so I would'nt accept anything less than a clear explanation. If you need assistance deciphering their response don't hesitate to send me a message. Re: Site Costs - Please advise 16May 02, 2020 11:06 pm Update : I went to the another builder for a quote for a 27SQ home, after providing the survey and soil tests they have come back with a fixed site costs of $32,000 I am waiting to receive drawings etc from them. It is very interesting on how can 1sq can have a difference of 15k given that the length and width of both floorplans is almost same. Re: Site Costs - Please advise 17May 03, 2020 12:06 am firsthome_2020 Update : I went to the another builder for a quote for a 27SQ home, after providing the survey and soil tests they have come back with a fixed site costs of $32,000 I am waiting to receive drawings etc from them. It is very interesting on how can 1sq can have a difference of 15k given that the length and width of both floorplans is almost same. Did you get hold of the borehole logs (or is there some more info) that gives a better idea of footing type and depth? It's probably worth clarifying what fixed-cost includes and what it doesn't with them then work out how to control the potential additional costs. Re: Site Costs - Please advise 18May 04, 2020 3:48 pm worldofmud firsthome_2020 Update : I went to the another builder for a quote for a 27SQ home, after providing the survey and soil tests they have come back with a fixed site costs of $32,000 I am waiting to receive drawings etc from them. It is very interesting on how can 1sq can have a difference of 15k given that the length and width of both floorplans is almost same. Did you get hold of the borehole logs (or is there some more info) that gives a better idea of footing type and depth? It's probably worth clarifying what fixed-cost includes and what it doesn't with them then work out how to control the potential additional costs. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hi Mate, Here are the logs, please let me know your views. Cheers, Re: Site Costs - Please advise 19May 04, 2020 6:34 pm firsthome_2020 worldofmud firsthome_2020 Update : I went to the another builder for a quote for a 27SQ home, after providing the survey and soil tests they have come back with a fixed site costs of $32,000 I am waiting to receive drawings etc from them. It is very interesting on how can 1sq can have a difference of 15k given that the length and width of both floorplans is almost same. Did you get hold of the borehole logs (or is there some more info) that gives a better idea of footing type and depth? It's probably worth clarifying what fixed-cost includes and what it doesn't with them then work out how to control the potential additional costs. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hi Mate, Here are the logs, please let me know your views. Cheers, Hi firsthome2020, I can only see BH3 and a blank BH4. Was there supposed to be a log for BH1 and BH2? There is a level of risk if you only have one borehole log-I'm not saying it is a problem but I'd be looking to reduce that risk before signing a contract or at least control it as part of the contract if possible. Is there some DCP testing (a table with a column of numbers) as well somewhere? 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 12988 Is anyone building with Mojo and have a recent site cost tender 0 15907 Henley should give you some indication of site costs. Too many variable to give you any reasonable accuracy 1 1836 |