ᐅ Comparison of the Scope of Construction Work: What Should We Prioritize?
Created on: 3 Feb 2014 15:16
K
kochones
Hello!
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.Schnaggls18 Feb 2014 08:06Michalko schrieb:
We had a plate load test carried out according to DIN 18134-300. It cost us 240€.OK, this can provide an initial assessment of the soil’s load-bearing capacity.
However, whether there are issues with rising damp or inadequate drainage is unlikely to be determined by this test.
For me, a comprehensive soil report is definitely worth the 1,000€–1,200€.
But everyone can decide for themselves...
Best regards,
Dirk
D
Doc.Schnaggls18 Feb 2014 08:11@kochones:
Yes, that sounds not bad.
But what happens if your plot has different soil classes?
What if the soil bearing capacity is insufficient?
What if the excavated soil cannot be compacted?
As I mentioned above, personally I wouldn't want to take that risk...
Yes, that sounds not bad.
But what happens if your plot has different soil classes?
What if the soil bearing capacity is insufficient?
What if the excavated soil cannot be compacted?
As I mentioned above, personally I wouldn't want to take that risk...
D
Doc.Schnaggls18 Feb 2014 08:15Michalko schrieb:
A horizontal waterproofing of the foundation slab is a matter of course for me.That’s clear.
But there are other "upgrades" as well.
For example, watertight concrete basements (WU-basements), white tanks, black tanks, and so on.
What is actually necessary can usually only be determined without an expert report once the excavation pit has been dug. Hopefully, there is still enough money left then...
Yes, you are right... if one or more factors have negative aspects, it will become more expensive.
I don’t think it will be that bad. Especially since the plot is located in a neighborhood that is over 50 years old... this particular plot is the only one left undeveloped. All the others are built with bungalows and semi-detached houses with basements due to the sloping terrain... slope difference, as mentioned before, is about 1 meter (3 feet) within the building area. Therefore, I don’t expect poor soil conditions... if there were issues like hydrostatic pressure or similar problems, there would be visible signs somewhere or neighbors would be affected... they would then have problems with their basements, which they don’t. The immediate neighbor (to the north) has a dry basement, absolutely no signs of moisture... built in 1962. So, from that perspective...???
However, I will definitely hire a surveyor/expert... that is worth it to me.
I don’t think it will be that bad. Especially since the plot is located in a neighborhood that is over 50 years old... this particular plot is the only one left undeveloped. All the others are built with bungalows and semi-detached houses with basements due to the sloping terrain... slope difference, as mentioned before, is about 1 meter (3 feet) within the building area. Therefore, I don’t expect poor soil conditions... if there were issues like hydrostatic pressure or similar problems, there would be visible signs somewhere or neighbors would be affected... they would then have problems with their basements, which they don’t. The immediate neighbor (to the north) has a dry basement, absolutely no signs of moisture... built in 1962. So, from that perspective...???
However, I will definitely hire a surveyor/expert... that is worth it to me.
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