Hello everyone. I’m new here as of today.
Here’s the situation:
We want to build a bungalow this year, and it’s very important to me that there are no steps anywhere inside or around the house.
How deep can the foundation slab be set compared to the garden level?
A few details to help you picture it better:
My plot has about a 60 cm (24 inches) slope from the highest point down to the front door, and about 60 cm (24 inches) from the highest point to the terrace. The slope continues downward beyond that, so I will have to add a lot of soil around the terrace and entrance. That’s why I want to keep the foundation as low as possible.
Unfortunately, the builder says "you don’t put a foundation slab directly in the dirt," so he wants the top edge of the slab to be level with the lawn surface at the highest point in the garden.
What do you think about this?
It’s urgent, because the excavator will arrive on 16.01.2015.
Here’s the situation:
We want to build a bungalow this year, and it’s very important to me that there are no steps anywhere inside or around the house.
How deep can the foundation slab be set compared to the garden level?
A few details to help you picture it better:
My plot has about a 60 cm (24 inches) slope from the highest point down to the front door, and about 60 cm (24 inches) from the highest point to the terrace. The slope continues downward beyond that, so I will have to add a lot of soil around the terrace and entrance. That’s why I want to keep the foundation as low as possible.
Unfortunately, the builder says "you don’t put a foundation slab directly in the dirt," so he wants the top edge of the slab to be level with the lawn surface at the highest point in the garden.
What do you think about this?
It’s urgent, because the excavator will arrive on 16.01.2015.
This should already be specified in the building permit / planning permission, the height of the slab, right? Is it possible to make any changes to that now?
Our architect strongly advised setting the top of the slab at least 15cm (6 inches) above the finished ground level.
What exactly is meant by “top of lawn” equal to “top of slab”? At least the topsoil is always removed. Is it supposed to be completely refilled and then the slab placed on top?
Our architect strongly advised setting the top of the slab at least 15cm (6 inches) above the finished ground level.
What exactly is meant by “top of lawn” equal to “top of slab”? At least the topsoil is always removed. Is it supposed to be completely refilled and then the slab placed on top?
B
Bieber08158 Jan 2015 21:33knochi3 schrieb:
My plot has a slope of about 60 cm (24 inches) from the highest point to the front door, or about 60 cm (24 inches) from the highest point to the terrace. Could you provide a sketch (cross-section)? I understand it as either one end of the house being 60 cm (24 inches) below ground level, or the front door being 60 cm (24 inches) above ground level. Your builder prefers the latter.Off the top of my head, I see the following options:
1.) Let them proceed. After the house is finished, the terrain will be adjusted. If necessary, ramps will be added.
2.) Have the excavator come earlier and level the ground. At the end/start, you would build a retaining wall. Whether this is even possible depends on ...
Hello,
Are you trying to save money on the earthworks, or is there a reason why you don’t want any steps?
For me, it’s important first of all that my house stays dry and water cannot enter during heavy rain. Are you building a basement? Our soil expert recommended that the top edge of the foundation slab be at least 10cm (4 inches) above the level of the stormwater drains on the adjacent street. Then there is also about 15cm (6 inches) of flooring. Do you have a soil report? Does it mention anything about groundwater or stormwater?
Are earthworks included in the scope of work? In the quotes I received, at least stripping and storing the top 20cm (8 inches) of topsoil was included, as well as placing 30cm (12 inches) of gravel in the area of the foundation slab.
Are you trying to save money on the earthworks, or is there a reason why you don’t want any steps?
For me, it’s important first of all that my house stays dry and water cannot enter during heavy rain. Are you building a basement? Our soil expert recommended that the top edge of the foundation slab be at least 10cm (4 inches) above the level of the stormwater drains on the adjacent street. Then there is also about 15cm (6 inches) of flooring. Do you have a soil report? Does it mention anything about groundwater or stormwater?
Are earthworks included in the scope of work? In the quotes I received, at least stripping and storing the top 20cm (8 inches) of topsoil was included, as well as placing 30cm (12 inches) of gravel in the area of the foundation slab.
nathi schrieb:
The elevation of the slab must already be specified in the building permit / planning permission, right? Is it still possible to make changes now?No, in our case it was discussed on site at short notice. Maybe it’s possible if you stay below the maximum height?!
Bieber0815 schrieb:
Can you provide a sketch (cross-section)?I don’t understand either – please provide a sketch.
eeepad schrieb:
Are you trying to save money on earthworks, or is there a reason why you don’t want any steps?It’s about accessibility.
Regards, Yvonne
B
Bauexperte9 Jan 2015 10:25Hello,
Isn’t there a specified ridge height or eave height for your building project? This must be strictly followed in the building permit / planning permission! One possible exception might be if you bought a plot in an older development area without a valid zoning plan. But even then, the permit application must specify (and consequently approve) the elevation—relative to the existing street level—at which the bungalow’s foundation can be set.
Imagine heavy rain for an extended period, and the ground can no longer absorb water. With your preferred setup, water would run into the house; I don’t think you’ve fully considered that. Make sure the slab is at least one step above the adjacent street level so that runoff water flows around the slab, not into the bungalow.
By the way, you don’t necessarily need an actual step—you can design the house entrance with a gently sloped ramp (wheelchair accessible). That way there’s no stumbling hazard, and the bungalow is still protected from rainwater. You can apply a similar approach for the terrace.
Best regards, Bauexperte
knochi3 schrieb:I find that hard to believe...
We want to build a bungalow this year, and it’s important to me that there are no steps inside or around the house. How deep can the slab be compared to the garden level?
Isn’t there a specified ridge height or eave height for your building project? This must be strictly followed in the building permit / planning permission! One possible exception might be if you bought a plot in an older development area without a valid zoning plan. But even then, the permit application must specify (and consequently approve) the elevation—relative to the existing street level—at which the bungalow’s foundation can be set.
knochi3 schrieb:He is right about that!
Unfortunately, the contractor says “you don’t put a slab directly in the dirt,” so he wants the top edge of the slab to be at the highest point in the garden, level with the top of the grass.
Imagine heavy rain for an extended period, and the ground can no longer absorb water. With your preferred setup, water would run into the house; I don’t think you’ve fully considered that. Make sure the slab is at least one step above the adjacent street level so that runoff water flows around the slab, not into the bungalow.
By the way, you don’t necessarily need an actual step—you can design the house entrance with a gently sloped ramp (wheelchair accessible). That way there’s no stumbling hazard, and the bungalow is still protected from rainwater. You can apply a similar approach for the terrace.
Best regards, Bauexperte
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