Structural EngineersTips and tricks for building in Queensland.
This is our secret list of tips for how to cyberstalk a property in Queensland like a structural engineering professional.
This simply marvellous list of resources will help you find (just about) all you need to know about a (Queensland) property you own or are interested in buying.
So Urban Utilities has finally come to the game and provided an online GIS (that stands for graphical information system) so that we humble mortals may identify the depth and diameter of their precious underground infrastructure (ie pipes).
I was staggered this week. It was just unbelievable. Is underpinning even required?
A client came to me for a second opinion about a quote to underpin his residential property in Queensland. The quote was from a local builder for 25 underpins to an approximate depth of 2.5m in order to ‘stabilise’ a single level house.
The quote was based on an engineer’s assessment. A geotechnical engineer had also attended and provided the results of a soil investigation.
Both good signs.
So on the face of it, everything seemed legitimate. However, once I dug deeper the justification for spending so much money was very thin.
Very thin.
So very thin.
So how do you, as a homeowner, evaluate a quote for underpinning from a builder and determine if you’re likely to get value for money.
Let’s go through my independent assessment process together.
Have you got a house on a sloping block with drainage problems?
The queries we get go something like this:
Hi. My house is on a sloping site (slopes from the back towards the front) and water gets in under our house when it rains. The ground under our house gets wet and then takes ages to dry out. Sometimes the water gets into the downstairs rumpus room, storeroom, laundry, garage slab (pick one or two!).
How can I stop water getting under my house? Should I use an ag pipe and or should I install a better drain?
Well, we have some ideas (and a video) that might just help.
The coronavirus is taking a toll on our current, daily lives. We’ve been introduced very rapidly to the ideas of self-isolation, social distancing and the work from home concept in a bid to limit the spread of the virus.
We already understand that the virus spreads rapidly and that it is very important that we limit the spread of the virus so that our medical systems aren’t overwhelmed.
The changes that we’re accommodating, including the opportunity to work from home (even in organisations that never previously allowed it), are vital but will more than likely have the effect of making people feel isolated and alone.