Stage 1 Activities

We went on a weekend around mid February and noticed the water tap is already installed. Few days later we also received the bill with connectivity charges. PD managed the time quite well and they have been working in the background in connecting the utilities while waiting for the building approval. BC gave us a call and informed they are planning to start the construction work by end of Feb. However the dates got postponed due to an approval that has to be taken from the owners of the neighbouring house.

Soon after signing the contract in the second week of January, we informed PD to provide the building approval since that needed to be submitted to the bank. This was a prerequisite from the bank in order to fund the loan.

PD also made arrangements immediately to update the engineering plans to include the partially constructed neighboring house. Here is a list of activities expected to take place during first stage of the construction.

Site Set Up

• Temporary Fencing. Most councils now require 1.8m high fencing of sites.
• Power supply. Originally a temporary box on a pole at the start, These days installation may be delayed until slab construction and then the final box put in at the finished position.
• Portable Toilet (Kenny’s favourite)
• Silt barriers Only on sites where silt may be washed off site. Can be hay bales or a geotextile (like shade cloth) fence.

Excavation

• Site clearance Removal of topsoil, vegetation and any rubbish.
• Initial peg out. To provide enough information to allow excavation works.
• Cut and fill Providing one or more level ‘platforms’ that the house will be built on.
• Retaining walls Any major retaining walls that are required to either support or retain the building ‘platform’. Other retaining walls will often be part of landscaping.

Drainage and Pipework

• Building set out.
• Site drainage.
• Installation of under slab ducts and pipes

Slab Construction

• Any below base foundations such as Concrete Piers.
• Laying of sand/gravel slab base.
• waterproof membrane.
• Erect slab forms.
• Install waffle pods and reinforcement.
• Cast slab.