ᐅ Is it advisable to have the foundation slab inspected by a building surveyor?
Created on: 5 Jan 2023 12:28
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bavariandream
Hello everyone,
In mid-December, the foundation slab for our single-family house was poured. The civil engineering company is a family-run business from the region with an excellent reputation. The preparations went very smoothly (they even started with the earthworks before we had signed the contract), and we didn’t have to worry about anything (they also handled various inquiries with the local authorities since they already knew each other).
On the day the foundation slab was poured, unfortunately, we were all very sick (middle ear infection with a fever just under 40°C (104°F)) and couldn’t visit the site (just getting to the bathroom was already a struggle). I went there the next day for a quick look. The slab was completely covered, which we expected because there had been heavy snowfall at the time and nighttime temperatures dropped to -12°C (10°F). The civil engineering company regularly works under such conditions; at our previous landlord’s site, they poured the slab on Christmas Eve despite heavy snow.
So far, so good. However, when we visited the site about a week later (we don’t live locally), some parts of the protective foil were missing. We suspect that children playing may have removed it because the wind alone shouldn’t have been able to do that—the foil was very well secured.
Now we don’t know exactly when this happened, so we’re unsure if the slab was already frost-resistant at that time, and we’re wondering if this might have had any negative effects. Visually everything looks fine and, for example, I haven’t noticed any cracks. The slab will be inspected in spring by our construction manager, but I assume they will mainly check if all measurements are correct.
Therefore, I wanted to ask here if you would recommend having the slab inspected by an independent expert. I’ve heard that organizations like TÜV Süd offer such services. Or is that money wasted because they would basically just measure again and check for cracks (as I said, I couldn’t see any; everything looked fine to me, but I am a complete layperson)?
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
In mid-December, the foundation slab for our single-family house was poured. The civil engineering company is a family-run business from the region with an excellent reputation. The preparations went very smoothly (they even started with the earthworks before we had signed the contract), and we didn’t have to worry about anything (they also handled various inquiries with the local authorities since they already knew each other).
On the day the foundation slab was poured, unfortunately, we were all very sick (middle ear infection with a fever just under 40°C (104°F)) and couldn’t visit the site (just getting to the bathroom was already a struggle). I went there the next day for a quick look. The slab was completely covered, which we expected because there had been heavy snowfall at the time and nighttime temperatures dropped to -12°C (10°F). The civil engineering company regularly works under such conditions; at our previous landlord’s site, they poured the slab on Christmas Eve despite heavy snow.
So far, so good. However, when we visited the site about a week later (we don’t live locally), some parts of the protective foil were missing. We suspect that children playing may have removed it because the wind alone shouldn’t have been able to do that—the foil was very well secured.
Now we don’t know exactly when this happened, so we’re unsure if the slab was already frost-resistant at that time, and we’re wondering if this might have had any negative effects. Visually everything looks fine and, for example, I haven’t noticed any cracks. The slab will be inspected in spring by our construction manager, but I assume they will mainly check if all measurements are correct.
Therefore, I wanted to ask here if you would recommend having the slab inspected by an independent expert. I’ve heard that organizations like TÜV Süd offer such services. Or is that money wasted because they would basically just measure again and check for cracks (as I said, I couldn’t see any; everything looked fine to me, but I am a complete layperson)?
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
We already discussed kitchen planning in the very first threads.
The kitchen studio’s layout drawing and the electrician’s socket placement don’t match. The socket would end up behind the dishwasher. Just have the kitchen studio create an installation plan; it might cost around 200 to 300 euros (about 220 to 330 USD), which can usually be deducted from the final order — a matter of agreement.
The kitchen studio’s layout drawing and the electrician’s socket placement don’t match. The socket would end up behind the dishwasher. Just have the kitchen studio create an installation plan; it might cost around 200 to 300 euros (about 220 to 330 USD), which can usually be deducted from the final order — a matter of agreement.
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Bauherrin1236 May 2023 23:42kbt09 schrieb:
We already discussed kitchen planning in the very first threads.
The kitchen studio’s design drawing and the electrician’s socket placement don’t match. The socket would end up behind the dishwasher. Just have the kitchen studio create an installation plan—you might pay around 200 to 300 euros (about 220 to 330 USD) for it, which can be deducted from the final purchase price... that’s something you can negotiate. 🙂 Hello, yes, that’s my plan... the problem is that the kitchen planners I contacted, as well as two other kitchen studios where I would buy, don’t provide these plans. I also went to IKEA, but they don’t create installation plans. One kitchen studio wanted 500 euros (about 550 USD), which was too expensive for me, and I would never buy the kitchen from them because of that. The place where I had the pictures created and the kitchen planned, and whose design I posted here, is where I would actually buy the kitchen—but not yet. As far as I know, they only provide the plan upon kitchen purchase. I’m going to contact the saleswoman anyway and ask if she can release the plan for a fee... we’ll see. That’s PLAN A. I’m working on it... The electrician also has a lot of experience, and there is some leeway, so don’t you think it might work like that? Of course, that would be PLAN B, but still... I didn’t quite understand what you meant by the dishwasher socket...
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Bauherrin1236 May 2023 23:51Yes, it is not. It is located under the sink, 140cm (55 inches) from the right wall. The dishwasher is farther away, or am I mistaken?
That's right, I compared the wrong wall... however, 140 cm (55 inches) according to the kitchen plan also exactly means the cabinet center of the sink cabinet. It's rather an unfortunate position and also depends on the sink and the drain. If the drain is more or less centered, then the siphon and so on will be right in the middle of the cabinet. I would probably move the outlet 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) further to the left.
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Bauherrin1237 May 2023 08:45kbt09 schrieb:
True, I compared the wrong wall... however, 140 cm (55 inches) in the kitchen plan also refers exactly to the cabinet center of the sink cabinet. It's rather an unfortunate position and also depends on the sink and drain location. If the drain is approximately centered, then the siphon and so on are right in the middle of the cabinet. I would probably move the outlet 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) further to the left. Thank you very much for the reply. Hmm... then there is a risk that when the builder measures later or if I choose a different kitchen, the plug ends up behind the dishwasher, right? But yes, the current position isn’t optimal... although no matter which kitchen, the measurements are always standard. Hmm.
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