Should engineer be present at house slab cement pour

**Heather M** · 5th October 2007, 06:20 PM

Help, i'm an owner builder.

I had an engineer design our slab I thought he said he would be present at the pouring of the cement, but he now says he doesn't need to be. he will inspect the formwork and issue a certificate and thats it. My understanding is that if he is not there he won't be liable for any future slab complications. What should I do? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

**DJ’s Timber** · 5th October 2007, 06:25 PM

Is unusual for an engineer to be on site whilst concrete is being poured, as long as the formwork has been inspected and signed off, that is normally all that's required

**Stringy** · 5th October 2007, 07:03 PM

I know a few that should be present and included in the pour!!!!!!!!!

**bsrlee** · 5th October 2007, 07:22 PM

If he doesn't want to go, it will cost you $$ now to have him turn up. If someone stuffs it up, it will cost you $$ in the future.

SOMEONE should be present, if only to make sure that the reinforcing hasn't been stolen/recycled, no dead cats/dogs/wives/husbands added to the mix

If you can, be there yourself with a video camera (borrow one) & film it - claim its for the kids when they grow up - just keep out of the way of the blokes doing the pour or you'll get cement filled shoes

**Heather M** · 5th October 2007, 08:24 PM

Thanks for the replies this website is great.

Being the owner builders and to save money we are trying to do as much as possible ourselves so we as in my husband and I with a proffessional concreter/friend are pouring the slab ourselves so I'm not worried about things being taken out etc. Just whether we should have the engineer there for liability. If it's cleared as okay/certified should I worry about having the engineer their just for liability if by chance the slab structure fails in the future?

**Tommy** · 5th October 2007, 09:03 PM

Hi.
There is no need for him to be there.Once he has signed off on it ,you are good to go.

If there ever was a accusation that the slab failed because steel had been removed .It wouldn't be to difficult to prove that the steel, is infact still there.

Just make sure that you receive your delivery dockets from the concrete yard and that you do not request any water added to the mix on site.Have the driver sign the docket.

This will be proof that the mix was as delivered from the concrete yard and as ordered.Your docket will also contain strength ,slump and agg size that was delivered,..

A pour always seems like a huge worry but once it is all done you can't help but feel a huge satisfaction that it will be there for a long time.

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