lower slab preparation

You can see in the photos that the lower slab preparation is just about complete and ready for the pour. The excavator is digging out footings for the foundations in the areas on the slope where we are not using a slab. If you look closely, you can also see the tie beams for the foundations for the deck extending out beyond the slab.

 

Termite Protection

The builder today asked me if I wanted to install termite protection at a cost of around $3000-$3500. We are not building in a termite prone area, so strictly speaking we don't to do it and i can think of many other things to spend this money on. (like a nice shiny new projector for my theater).

I asked my builder what he would do if it was his house. His response was that he's just finishing his home (also in a nearby non termite area), and that he chose to install termite protection. Firstly he thinks it will add to resale (i don't necessarily agree) - but more importantly because you only get one chance to install termite protection effectively, and that's at build stage. You can't effectively retrofit it later. It's a system that goes in when the foundations are being poured.

Based on that, we decided to go ahead with installing it

Engineering updates

The original soil report required making the foundations 800mm deep and founding them into rock. In some spots, the builder has excavated to 1800mm and still not encountered rock. As a result we've had the engineer on site and he's revised some of the foundation engineering to reflect what he's seeing on site.

 

Foundation work continues

Work on the foundations is continuing. Here's some side photos - not much to see other than a lot of dirt from the excavation so far.

Foundations Started

Over the last few weeks, the builder has put in all the stormwater drainage and sewer lines. Now he's started on digging the trenches and preparing the foundations. It will probably take 3-4 weeks to get the foundations dug, poured and finished up - then we'll finally be getting out of the ground.

The structural engineer specified the foundations go 800-900mm deep into rock - based on the soil report. Unfortunately in a few places it's taken 1800mm to hit rock, and that's going to need some extra concrete and the concrete pump a couple of more times to get it done. 

It's a bit of extra cost, but I think you only get one chance to get your foundations right.

We also had to tweak the driveway drainage and retaining wall a bit based on how things actually look on site vs the picture. See image.