Building under house.

**tcns** · 2nd August 2005, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by dallas

Ok, here are some before piccies of my underhouse (when viewed from garage)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...rhouseb4_1.jpg
and anotehr
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...rhouseb4_2.jpg

Some progress shots as of sat arvo with the piers removed, adn beams in place.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...molition_1.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...molition_2.jpg

I'm gonna get the slab done and do the retaining wall mysefl (require small retaining wall up far end where level rises), and will knock in some windows for light.

Slab is getting laid to 55mm below the existing garage slab level, to allow for 35mm battons and 19mm recycled timber floorboards...

The only frightening part i reckon is to remove piers and install RHS members, so if you can get this done professionally, you should be right to do the majority of the work yourself!

D

Dallas,

just a few questions - your situation is very similar to mine, I have a stack of
brick piers with a brick surround. How much did your steel cost and did you just work out the span between the brick walls and buy the right size so no additional supports were necessary ?

Thanks mate
Tom

**ian** · 3rd August 2005, 01:46 AM

One thing to keep in mind is the living comfort in the old part of the house.
Queenslanders are on stumps to allow air to circulate UNDER the house thus keeping it relatively cool, especially in summer. Closing in this space may mean that you need to factor whole house air conditioning into the cost.

In Sydney, you'd split the block into two, sell one and use the cash to build a new house

**dallas** · 3rd August 2005, 08:28 AM

No sweat guys,

No, i got the piers removed and RHS members installed by a builder. I could have prob done this myself, but the hassell vs the cost vs the completion time just made more sense to get a builder... and like I said, i'm paying for peace of mind, speedy turn around, and not giving myself a hernia by lifting and digging! LOL!

Span was worked out for each end, and additional piers were bricked and tied in to the existing piers at the beams end to give it additional support. Think about it... the end pier used to only support the outside of house and some floor load (whilst other piers took the rest of the floor load).. now i've removed the piers, that floor load is transferred to the outer piers, so they carry more weight, hence being strengthened by new piers tied in.

After seeing the work progress (it's still going as you can see), I would 100% recomend getting the piers/RHS done professionally, (and also quickly!) and then allowing you to save $$$ on the other things like organising the slab/retaining wall, installing windows, plasterboards and fitting it out...

D

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