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Site clearance question

  • 10-01-2008 7:49pm
    #1
    tdiman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭


    Hi,

    Planning confirmed so ready to begin scouting the trades. First question is on the site itself. The site is located in a field which slopes upwards, quite steeply. It also slopes away, so isn't very level.

    My question is who needs to decide what / how much site clearance is needed to get to the foundation level? My architect has been difficult to deal with, so reluctant to pass any more questions his way. Can the builder make this call?

    Also, does every build need an engineer? Or is the builder and architect enough?

    Thank you,
    T


Comments

  • #2
    sinnerboy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭sinnerboy


    you need an engineer now to at least design the sub structures


  • #3
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,555 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    You are paying the architect for his services so insist on a reply. And no its not the builders call.


  • #4
    250882
    Closed Accounts Posts: 206 ✭✭250882


    You dont need an engineer to design a simple strip foundation even if it has steps, you will however need somebody to sign off the foundations(if you are dealing with a bank, but even if you arent its good to have a record) The finished floor level will be set on the planning permission so the foundations will have to be designed around that. I would tend to agree with MUFFLER, insist that your architect designs the foundations, if you are paying them for construction drawings then this should be provided, its not a complex drawing but it will make life a lot easier for the builder. Needless to say, if your founds are wrong its not a good start to the building.


  • #5
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 42,172 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    tdiman wrote: »
    Hi,

    Planning confirmed so ready to begin scouting the trades. First question is on the site itself. The site is located in a field which slopes upwards, quite steeply. It also slopes away, so isn't very level.

    My question is who needs to decide what / how much site clearance is needed to get to the foundation level? My architect has been difficult to deal with, so reluctant to pass any more questions his way. Can the builder make this call?

    Also, does every build need an engineer? Or is the builder and architect enough?

    Thank you,
    T

    It depends on what you have engaged your architect to do...
    If you have simply engaged him to inspect the work in order to sign off from a planning permission and building reg point of view, and release stage payments for the mortgage, then it is not his responsibility to have the answers to these questions.
    However if you have engaged him to provide ongoing 'supervision' of the work and prepare construction drawings etc then it i shis responsibility. I have a feeling its just the first engagement.

    The builder should know the extent of site clearance, and should open up strip foundations for the architect to 'inspect'. If the architect feels the ground conditions and reinforcement are adequate, then he will 'certify' that stage and you can continue on. If he doesnt feel the ground conditions are suitable then you are probably in the situation of engaging a structural engineer to design a specialist foundation for the site.


  • #6
    gally74
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,997 ✭✭✭gally74


    Get an Engineer, in the long run it will be the best money you'll spend.

    Its also worth talking to some people that would clear the site and do a RAFT etc.

    They may be able to estimate how much material etc.


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  • #7
    bakerbhoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 667 ✭✭✭bakerbhoy


    You could be describing my site.It sounds like you will have a lot of material to dispose of.The crew who did the excavation on mine didn't see the need to go to the depth set out by planning ,but the engineer insisted to achieve the finished ridge height and comply with planning.
    The answer should already be on the drawings you submitted for planning.
    The plans should show ground levels and finished floor height and ridge height.
    Your ground work guy will strip the site to reveal the subsoil etc.The engineer will inspect and if conditions are okay the ground work crew will finish out the excavation to achieve the finished heights as per your planning permision. They have laser equipment to easily achieve the levels.
    They reference of a nominal datum point on your drawings usually given a value of 100.00
    ffl : 101.50
    ridge : 111.50 etc for example in metres.

    The final depth of excavation will depend on the condition of the sub terrain
    and the engineer will decide if any extra work has to done before starting back out of the ground again to achieve finished floor level and the final ridge height as per planning.


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