Postby OLBC Group » Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:47 am
How long is a piece of string?
It all depends on what you are doing. Basement vary enormously in complexity.
Realistically allow 20-24 weeks for a straightforward structural basement. Anything more complicated takes longer.
As @ localcommon72 states down the thread it is very important that there are three kinds of insurances in place *all* need to specifically state that they are for *basements* - general contractors cover only goes down to 1.2m not the 3.4 - 4m required.
- Public liability cover
- Contractors all risks
- Professional Indemnity [PI] - this is the one most of the other companies don’t bother with even thought they are advertising doing Design and Build packages. PI cover requires a chain approach. You cannot rely on the engineer or architect’s PI cover in a D&B contract. Gap in cover = no cover.
Basement related insurances are phenomenally expensive so most companies deal with it by not having them - even some long standing ‘basement’ companies don’t - yes, really.
Another large and emerging problem is architects (and even engineers) who don’t have Professional Indemnity cover for basements. We often have to deal with this by having the architect novated to us. If clients have done engineering like this it just hits the bin and is redone.
But ask yourself this: why am I engaging someone to do something complex without the right professional insurance covers in the first place?
That should be a self answering question..
As far as noise goes - we bought a fleet if all electric JCB and Bobcats which are essentially silent. Literally all you can hear us gravel crunching into the bucket. Digging this way makes a lot less dust as it is a zero vibration method - with hard clay just put a small bucket in.
We only use water suppressed electric saws to cut concrete to keep noise, dust and vibration down.
Other bits of work are not silent - at some point you have to use breakers but it us possible to minimise it.
