Clay soil - additional costs

[Tulamalula]

I'm looking at a block in Bassendean, and assuming it has clay soil as close to the river.

Typically any idea of additional costs if clay as I understand certain extras have to be put in place so the house doesn't move and crack.

 

[paulie]

Add an extra $30k in site works and extra engineering per lot to your figures should be about right for river side of Bassendean

 

[Tulamalula]

Yikes! Yi yi yi was thinking $10K. WOuld have to get the block cheap then! Thanks!

 

[MTR]

Someone on SS advised that it cost an additional $100K and it was Bassendean.

I believe, similar scenario, similar cost posted on SS, $100K.

 

[Tulamalula]

*vomit* and looks elsewhere.

 

[MTR]

I believe some sort of soil report, not sure of the name, can be conducted/placed as a condition of purchase.

Also pockets of Beckenham also has issue with clay, when I mentioned this area to my builder he said "don't look at this area".

 

[Tulamalula]

There's also an issue with connecting to the councils' stormwater in Bassendean, you have to prove you can't store run-off on the property, if you can, then you have build pits on the property, more expense.

 

[westminster]

You can add a geotech report (paid for by you) into your Subject To section if you wish, just like a Building and Pest.

Soil issues are fun

 

[Tano]

Does anyone have a list of the areas/suburbs where its advisable to get a soil report?

Currently i have

1. Midland
2. Pockets of Beckingham
3. Anywhere near 500m of a river??

 

[CharlieT]

The silly thing about these 'clay issues' is that every house in Melbourne is probably built on a 'worse' site. WA builders (and i guess their customers) only build double brick, and those that offer framed homes typically charge a small fortune for the 'privilege'.

I'm convinced there's a niche in the market for a smart eastern states builder to set up in Perth and build framed homes.

 

[Tulamalula]

I'm not used to these brick and tile homes in Perth, coming from Queensland where there are so many wooden homes.

 

[Doovalacky]

I agree about the frame construction. Wanted to go that way on a sloping block with possible clay and only found one builder who would consider it at a premium.

Just remember the geotect surveys are only worth the paper they are written on. Might change totally when they do the earthworks/footings.

 

[mrdobalina]

Does anyone have a list of the areas/suburbs where its advisable to get a soil report?

Currently i have

1. Midland
2. Pockets of Beckingham
3. Anywhere near 500m of a river??

Armadale area

 

[INVSTOR]

I'm not used to these brick and tile homes in Perth, coming from Queensland where there are so many wooden homes.

I grew up in Two storey brick veneer homes. There was so much clay around we'd dig it up and play with it. Would cost a bomb to live in the same sort of house in Perth.

 

[mrdobalina]

I grew up in Two storey brick veneer homes. There was so much clay around we'd dig it up and play with it. Would cost a bomb to live in the same sort of house in Perth.

We ship our red dirt to China.

 

[INVSTOR]

We ship our red dirt to China.

Seriously?? To make red bricks and roof tiles??

 

[chindonly]

Iron ore I believe...

 

[INVSTOR]

Iron ore I believe...

Thanks!

 

[jart78]

We almost bought a clay block in Bassendean near the river, glad we did not after we had the soil report undertaken and were advised of the $60k in additional preparation work.

Cheers
James

 

[Tulamalula]

But if you use that information to get a big slice off the market price it could be worth it.