speck if you want better advice you need to provide better photos & Info...
ie. Photos of the support walls/structure beneath, the slab crack, types,…

LOL... What use is an Independent assessment after you've handed over an initial non-refundable deposit?
Back to my post if you've got a difficult block or build do your homework first.…

cherie1987
Lets do the math
$1000 engineer
$1000 Draftsman
$1000 Building Inspector
$3000 Total+ Fees
That leaves less than $2000 for the actual Real Work
LOL...I guess you can't do…

manofaus Flexible Floor coverings ie Timber & Carpets mask/hides cracks
Firstly you need to check slab level heights around the cracking (hogging or sagging)…

I suppose if there are painters on this forum they would start complaining about how they're constantly fixing up wet plasterers faulty work. I agree a lot of people are…

Drywall over brickwork Isn't offered as a superior alternative at the same price
It's offered because it masks poor Brickwork & constant Cracking
The question arises if it masks major structural (flexural)…

manofaus faus the engineer should have inspected the footings, Reinforcement and bearing over the piles before the concrete was placed, and the owner is…

Hi Cherie1987
To be honest save your money (for your renovation) you don't need a fancy report from anyone.
But you may need a certified…

Cellaraso Are you buying the block in a new estate? -> Has it been developed yet? ->
The land developers geotechnical engineers will give you…

Barongrizzly You will need to alter/drop the Footings for the timber deck
It is also easier if you block slopes downwards not so if it…

Cherie1987 Most people aren't trusting..but I've found they always trust Building Regulators & Engineers... funny...not so much Contractors & Builders the Quality & Accuracy…

Optimising the floor space is always a good idea, as beams and slabs extend to the walls below
the problem are generally upper floor boundary setbacks & Planning codes...again you need…

jasmunder you mean clay-> Class M Moderately reactive
Sand is great to build on ie good compaction, good drainage etc...It should cost no more to…

clanwatson Good to hear
What you don't want is to (1) pay extra and eventually get (2) overpriced rubbish…

clanwatson I saw similar tactics deployed by Builders during the perth building boom
The majority just pay because they have so much money & time…

clanwatson unfortunately if the works hasn't started and there were delays beyond the builders control he can ask for prices increases. Once you have…

Buildem If the brick walls upstairs are not directly supported on brick walls beneath
Then the wall will need to be supported on Steel…

Buildem the majority of 2-storey houses built in WA are Double Brick
The options for supporting the upper storey wall brick loads are by…

rorygardner111 Not sure if you mean a suspended floor load?
If so then I would have to say reinforced concrete slab, durability is a function…

I am in WA we all use std contracts here.. it is what it is...
They are one sided tilted towards the builder, hard to add additional clauses or…

moonlite Standard building contracts are HIA or MBA contracts they are building industry associations contracts
I would prefer one of those contracts to other…

Thanks, you might want to tell them to fix their page with their structural info...
Also reference Fire Standards & Engineering data in light of

jemmalee if you search for keywords you will find your answer
You need to weigh up costs, engineering, compliance, maintenance & then Resell
most people prefer…

chode1984
Having a 3D Architectural with Building Information Model (BIM) will certainly help if you are DIYing and checking compliance, make sure you also…

spooky8080
Upgrading the materials for durability is one thing, installing, placing & fixing as per the Codes & Standards is yet another
No-one remembers what…

Dexx
I've done a few lofts/drawing/Construction (3D) details in my time and they are very useful for owner builders

I hope you find them useful
The…

Spooky8080
One possible reason why things are left half completed is because problems or issues arise
and the trades aren't able to finish their section…

chrismarshall3 Builders front loading profits on progress payments is precarious
This is where the builders tries to get as much money from you as…

vinothkumar It doesn't matter how much Architecture costs wherever it comes from.. you can give it away for free if you wish? But If…

Ouch... They may have included an additional wealth location Cost/levy?..I see it creeping in on afew jobs these days
Particularly with the way Sydney prices are going.."every ones is in for…