What do you wish you knew before you had your house built?
Did you find you wished you knew more about:
contracts?
colour selections?
how long it would take?
where you could save…

If you're struggling with the concept of not connecting a slab to a pier, then you're going to hate this product:

When we test concrete in place we have a couple of tools available:
- Schmidt Hammer tests. A non-destructive way to measure the strength of the concrete surface. They can be…

Hi annie88
Not sure if I'm missing something. If a soil tester classified the site as H2 (a measure of how much the…

I agree with bank - get the original engineer to sign off on the cut reinforcement including what steps to take to protect…

I don't want to get your hopes up because every slab heave job is different. And if it is possible it will still be a long hard slog. Get good…

Take lots of photos. When we investigate house movement, apart from plans, soil test and levels it's my next favourite thing to troll through to see how it all went…

If anyone is interested I just did a video about screw piers for houses on the weekend. I know you guys are all very well informed so I thought you…

This service that Resbuild offers might be handy?

Thanks for the recommendation StructuralBIMGuy but I'm not a big fan of timber retaining walls due to long term durability issues. I'd like…

It's good that you're aware of these issues so early. Good work.
Overland flow affects what type of building you can build (on stumps vs on slab) so speak to your…

Hi
Have you got a building designer yet or do you intend getting your builder to help with the design?
Did your soil tester say anything about getting a "slope stability"…

This is an old report done for the Australian Government but it's worth reading if you have time. It turned me off having a rainwater tank:
In fact I'm surprised that…

Hi Do
Even before you start talking to builders (unless you're only chasing an indicative price, I'd suggest you have a bit of homework to do first:
Carport slabs don't need to…

Hi
That looks like plasterboard tape - the paper tape placed over the plasterboard joints by the plasterer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ17oTw0jkI
If it's loose there could be moisture above…

Hi sweetswisssteel
I had a look at your previous posts and you\'re already pretty aware of the issues.
Three things to consider. Drainage. Drainage. Drainage.
Keep moisture away from your house.…

You might have overall building height limits imposed by council like we do here in Brisbane. Either that or the designer isn't willing to recalculate the wind loads on your…

Thanks for the feedback Chippy. I've put a lot of effort into the website and I'm glad it's helping people. We haven't got all the answers but we try at…

I've never heard of a builder doing a construction joint in a waffle slab before. Definitely need your engineer to approve the two-pour slab in writing before you let them…

Try this link from Timber Queensland.
https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/sites/defau ... _final.pdf
PS. You'll also need a building certifier. Try http://www.buildingcertificationgroup.com.au/

Hi Sarah
Try Don Dixon. He services Brisbane area. http://www.buildingpestinspectionsnorth ... te.com.au/
Phone 0418 222 934

I agree. Higher ceilings are definitely better. I convinced a client to raise her ceilings in her house raise project. After all the engineering and inspections and work we did…

Our senior structural engineer, Patrick Mazoudier, delivered an internal training session for our engineers at Cornell Engineers on articulation joints this morning and we're making it freely available on our…

Hi ctvu
It is certainly more complicated and more susceptible to gapping.
Here's what I found online:
http://www.paradise-timbers.com.au/pdf/ ... cedure.pdf
Matt Cornell

How about picking out some of the old ones and mixing them in with the new ones and vice versa?
Matt

This might help. It's an extract from the previous version of AS3700 regarding mortar joints but I doubt it changed in the most recent version. Bluff and say it's current!

Try these guys:
http://www.resbuild.com.au/
But that isn't a lot of money for an extension. You might be able to do a nice renovation though?
http://www.clairestevensid.com.au/
Regards
Matt

I'll take a bet both ways.
If the cavity is filled with mortar, I don't think brick ties will be required but I'd be concerned the steel could corrode unless you…