As per many other posts - I'm new to this forum, so here goes...

We are looking to do some renovations (alterations/ additions) to our property in Melbourne (eastern suburbs). We're planning on adding on a open plan living/ dining/ kitchen out the back. As the block is slightly sloping, this will be approximately 1.5m below the level of the existing bedrooms/ formal living areas of the existing period house which we're keeping. As part of this, we will be completely re-building one of the bedrooms in the upper level, which will back onto (but be 1.5m above) the new additions. That's the background, now to my question....

Given we will have all of this space underneath this bedroom (completely new build), I'd like to excavate under the floor a bit further - say another 1.5m - to be able to fit a laundry / additional storage underneath. The floor area of the excavation would not necessarily be that large - maybe 3.5m x 3m, so a total excavation of 16m3 or so. As this will be done whilst the rest of the renovations are taking place, access to the area will be easily enough to get any of the equipment required in there. My draftsman has suggested that this will cost approximately $25k, as there will need to be retaining / structural walls built to ensure that this "basement" area does not cave in. Does this cost seem right? If this is right - are there any ways to reduce the costs etc?

Thanks
Jonathan


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