'Audit' Issues with using Laser Levels for foundation/floor thickness

This post is just to pass on something, primarily to Self builders, I came across recently.

Prior to the wide-spread use of laser levels, it was common enough practice to stick wooden pegs in the foundations to let you see how high u need to come with the concrete for say a 300mm deep footing.

Different ideas were used for floors/subfloors the general idea being that there was a physical mark set before the concrete was poured.

However the laser level has done away with many of these physical marks and it is therefore very simple to pour much less concrete than required in the spec and the finished product gives no clue as to the real depth.

I twigged this for the first time when I happened to see the docket from the readymix truck.

The strip foundation had only 200mm as opposed to 300, the first answer was that the ground was a bit softer due to rain in the open founds when they came to pour so they took out 100mm more:)

Keep well.