Flat sandy building block-developer dumped building rubble!

domwild · Feb 01, 2020 12:54 pm

Hi,

Saved myself $600 by spraying and raking up the weeds on this nice flat "sandy" building block, but got the rake stuck on what appeared to be a stone. Turns out those were two concrete segments of a septic leach drain. In the worst case, the entire block may contain "treasures" like that, despite the soil tester calling it "Bassendean Sand" (WA) and the builder can then charge me extra for "Hard Digging".

I can find out from council the name of the developer of this battle axe block, but whether he/she then divulges the name of the "dumper" or earthmoving contractor is a different matter. Even if I get the name of the dumper, I am not too sure if the HIA or MBA or Consumer Affairs are going to be too interested in that case.

Perhaps I can make other land purchasers aware of such pitfalls and before purchase, get the real estate agent to make enquiries who has done the development and the earthworks or definitely start scratching around the block to find "treasures".

StructuralBIMGuy · Feb 01, 2020 3:29 pm

domwild

Perhaps I can make other land purchasers aware of such pitfalls and before purchase, get the real estate agent to make enquiries who has done the development and the earthworks or definitely start scratching around the block to find "treasures".

Generally a site inspection and a few drilled bore holes will reveal what's buried beneath before you purchase the block
BTW that will have to be removed if it's within the Building Envelope

domwild · Feb 01, 2020 5:19 pm

Thanks for answer, StructuralGuy. Problem is, the soil tester dug a few holes for his report and did not report anything. Question is: Who pays for the removal of anything, which is not sand?

chippy · Feb 01, 2020 5:40 pm

It will just be left over from the site clean. When the original subdivision was done part of the requirements is to clear the block of all existing building and infrastructure. Typically that is done with an excavator with a slotted bucket so anything bigger than 50mm is removed from site. They rake the site.
It's not a perfect science though and sometimes bits will get missed. As long as it was completed and the old leach drains and septic system has been removed and filled in. You will soon tell if the leach drains are still intact as they will still be in place and it won't just be odd bits of concrete that at one time formed it.
I know our block had the odd brick here and there. It's pretty standard on a subdivided block or an KDR.
Your builder isn't going to charge you extra for hard digging and realistically the odd bit of brick or concrete on the building envelope isn't the end of the world. It's organic matter that's a big issue as it will break down over time that can cause issues with movement below the slab.

domwild · Feb 01, 2020 8:26 pm

Thanks, chippy and everybody for help. You put my mind at rest.