ᐅ Comparison of the Scope of Construction Work: What Should We Prioritize?
Created on: 3 Feb 2014 15:16
K
kochonesHello!
I have already read a lot here, but unfortunately many use abbreviations like WU basement or similar… I can’t really tell what they mean. But that’s not the only issue.
The starting point is that we want a basement. We have a sloping site, the street level is at 0 m (0 ft), the building envelope starts at about -1.5 m (-5 ft) and ends around -2.7 m (-9 ft). We want a partial separate apartment, about one-third of the total size… approximately 35 m² (375 sq ft)! The rest of the basement will not be living space and should be completely underground.
The fact is, we own a building plot and we don’t know who we will be building with, as it’s not possible to compare offers. One construction company writes in their building and scope of work description about strip foundations and steel fiber reinforced concrete, poured concrete exterior walls… others specify a reinforced concrete slab with 15 kg/m² (3 lb/sq ft) steel reinforcement or masonry with hollow clay bricks.
Since there are semi-detached houses from the 1960s in the neighborhood, I have taken a closer look at them. Some have cracks in the basement exterior walls. Now I don’t know which type of basement or which construction materials we should choose.
Thank you in advance for your experiences and suggestions!
I have already read a lot here, but unfortunately many use abbreviations like WU basement or similar… I can’t really tell what they mean. But that’s not the only issue.
The starting point is that we want a basement. We have a sloping site, the street level is at 0 m (0 ft), the building envelope starts at about -1.5 m (-5 ft) and ends around -2.7 m (-9 ft). We want a partial separate apartment, about one-third of the total size… approximately 35 m² (375 sq ft)! The rest of the basement will not be living space and should be completely underground.
The fact is, we own a building plot and we don’t know who we will be building with, as it’s not possible to compare offers. One construction company writes in their building and scope of work description about strip foundations and steel fiber reinforced concrete, poured concrete exterior walls… others specify a reinforced concrete slab with 15 kg/m² (3 lb/sq ft) steel reinforcement or masonry with hollow clay bricks.
Since there are semi-detached houses from the 1960s in the neighborhood, I have taken a closer look at them. Some have cracks in the basement exterior walls. Now I don’t know which type of basement or which construction materials we should choose.
Thank you in advance for your experiences and suggestions!
D
Doc.Schnaggls3 Feb 2014 15:30Hello kochones,
Regarding basement construction with unclear soil conditions:
I would definitely recommend getting a soil report. Many companies no longer build without this report. In my opinion, it is definitely money well spent.
We also spent a lot of time comparing the scopes of work provided by different builders.
In the end, we created an Excel spreadsheet where we entered the details (sorted by trade) from the builders we were considering.
We found that companies with similar scopes of work also had fairly similar prices – many “budget” options, however, were even more expensive than the initially higher-priced providers despite offering the same scope...
Best regards,
Dirk
Regarding basement construction with unclear soil conditions:
I would definitely recommend getting a soil report. Many companies no longer build without this report. In my opinion, it is definitely money well spent.
We also spent a lot of time comparing the scopes of work provided by different builders.
In the end, we created an Excel spreadsheet where we entered the details (sorted by trade) from the builders we were considering.
We found that companies with similar scopes of work also had fairly similar prices – many “budget” options, however, were even more expensive than the initially higher-priced providers despite offering the same scope...
Best regards,
Dirk
Hi kochones,
once you know what you want, it’s easy to compare the offers. So first figure out what you need. The only way to do that is by asking questions and reading. For example, we also learned a lot about materials, suitability, and similar topics at building fairs and similar events.
once you know what you want, it’s easy to compare the offers. So first figure out what you need. The only way to do that is by asking questions and reading. For example, we also learned a lot about materials, suitability, and similar topics at building fairs and similar events.
Yes, thanks for now!
@doc.schnaggels: Topic: Soil report, most builders, developers, or general contractors already include this. I don’t know if ordering an independent surveyor would count as owner-performed work. But good tip, I’ll ask about that right away.
But that’s where our problem as laypeople starts: if the soil report shows either seepage water or hydrostatic pressure, what does that mean? Does it definitely mean we need a cast concrete basement and strip footings? Or is a masonry basement with a drainage system sufficient?
As a layperson, I can’t judge which option is better.
So my question to you professionals: In case of a poor soil report (i.e., seepage or hydrostatic pressure), is a strip footing with fiber-reinforced concrete and cast concrete basement walls better than a basement with a masonry base slab?
@michalko: We haven’t visited an architect yet because we are worried about the costs. Maybe you can help ease our fears?! What does planning and tendering usually cost?
@kaho674: That’s exactly the problem as laypeople... you’re simply told what will be installed, it’s good and done. Whether settlement cracks or similar issues occur later... very few people think about that.
Oh man... why didn’t I just train as a mason?
@doc.schnaggels: Topic: Soil report, most builders, developers, or general contractors already include this. I don’t know if ordering an independent surveyor would count as owner-performed work. But good tip, I’ll ask about that right away.
But that’s where our problem as laypeople starts: if the soil report shows either seepage water or hydrostatic pressure, what does that mean? Does it definitely mean we need a cast concrete basement and strip footings? Or is a masonry basement with a drainage system sufficient?
As a layperson, I can’t judge which option is better.
So my question to you professionals: In case of a poor soil report (i.e., seepage or hydrostatic pressure), is a strip footing with fiber-reinforced concrete and cast concrete basement walls better than a basement with a masonry base slab?
@michalko: We haven’t visited an architect yet because we are worried about the costs. Maybe you can help ease our fears?! What does planning and tendering usually cost?
@kaho674: That’s exactly the problem as laypeople... you’re simply told what will be installed, it’s good and done. Whether settlement cracks or similar issues occur later... very few people think about that.
Oh man... why didn’t I just train as a mason?
Koempy schrieb:
A soil report indicates how the basement should be constructed to ensure it is watertight.Oh, I see! Thanks for the information! I thought it only described the soil conditions there!
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