Soil Test and Compliance

TimCas · Feb 02, 2024 1:24 pm

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know if a building surveyor should ask you to get a soil test if you have plans for a shed slab which has soil classifications? Mine didn't tell me anything or ask me to get one. He approved my permit turned up for the 1st inspection footings/site looked at the plans in front of him and the soil to slab classification told me piers/site was fine and go ahead. Then in the second inspection mesh/form work he tells I need a soil test because I need a beam edge different mesh s82 not s72. Now the concreters might have to tear up all the work and dig a trench etc.

Thanks
Tim

BrettSC · Feb 03, 2024 11:09 pm

The required footing and slab will depend on the soil classification, so who can you know this without a soil test?

It is possible to determine a soil classification based on ‘local knowledge’ and it’s common to do this for non-habitable buildings like sheds.

All this should be considered by the building surveyor before approval is issued. There is something wrong with the process when approval has been issued, a footing inspection approved and then this gets raised at the slab inspection.

TimCas · Feb 04, 2024 11:57 am

Hi Brett,

Thanks Brett, your response is much appreciated. That is exactly the issue, I have followed everything asked of me so I can't make sense of it. The shed people I bought the shed from are similarly gob-smacked.

All the building surveyor had to do was say to me I can see from the plan you have a soil classification index in relation to slab type, so you will need a soil test to determine what the structure/type the slab will be. So get one. I would grumbled but done it of course like I am doing now. Now everything has to be pulled apart and done again, which means I have to pay twice and more. This seems so unfair, I assume this should be obvious to any person with building experience and the sort of expertise a building surveyor should have. I am mean aren't they there to assist you in compliance with the regulations and rules?

building-expert · Feb 04, 2024 1:44 pm

In Victoria building surveyor is main part of statutory building control. Building surveyor must be satisfied that the proposed building will comply with acts and regulations before issuing a building permit.
I cannot give legal advice but it seems to me that once the building permit is issued the building surveyor is locked in own approval and cannot backtrack asking for more.
You should bring the matter up with your state regulator to see if inquiry into conduct of the building surveyor is warranted.

TimCas · Feb 04, 2024 5:52 pm

Hi Building Expert,

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated, there is also a code of conduct for building surveyors which they need to follow as well. I am looking into all my options at the moment and considering a complaint to the VBA.
Thank you
Tim