Building in Under

[Harry72]

I cant understand why raise then build in underneath... why not add another story on top wouldnt it be easier?

[tcns]

It would look very strange most qlders are already anywhere from 1m - 2m off the ground, there are regulations that stop us from building over 8.75M (from memory) so that really isn't an option.


Tom

[reeves]

planning and execution mate. If u tale into consideration ALL ther variables, plan well and be carefull u should be ok.

However if r impulsive, unprepared, underskilled, unertooled, dont think about possible issues arising and take shortcuts, u will be in a far worse situation.

Get some good good advice and good luck.

regards
john

[Kenchiku]

Thanks Mick for the advice,

I too think it is a job for professionals. I've heard of house breaking in two so I'll stay away from that.

Cape crusader, my plan has not evolved so much yet, still at the Sketch Design stage. But I am thinking of doing a timber floor rather than a slab just because timber may be nicer and I figure I can put a few bearers,joists and floorboards down (I built a carport so I have a bit of confidence now). Then the framing then cladding. I have to do a lot of research on the detailing of the joints ect.
Actually the more I wite about this the more daunting it seems. I have a wife and 2 kids and a Job to compete for my time so this could be a long project.

If I was using recycled timber do I need special testing for it. I know if its hardwood or pine but how do I know if it's F14 ect. Is there a legal restriction with this?


Ken

[capedcrusader]

I have worked through a plan on the actual lifting

Hello Tcns
Sorry but I think I actually meant to ask you about how youre going to do the lifting- I guess its just a matter of ensuring it goes up evenly right? I thought I might make sockets for the ram part of the jacks and weld these onto the UBs and also maybe weld the jacks to a larger steel base for stability. I was also going to suggest that you make sure that the top plate halved corner joints between the main walls and between any load bearing cross walls are still intact (mine werent) although if the galv roof sheeting is still on there would be a fair amount of bracing there. Id be interested to see the new thread as it progresses anyway.
Kenchiku you inspect timber for obvious visible defects - old and dried good species hardwood without defects should be very strong as long as its not so dry that it has become brittle ie:some of the softwood that comes from roof spaces etc in my limited experience has been very dry /almost brittle. Although the way the timber has been loaded previously (ie: dynamic) might affect its strength - not sure - someone else might know. For any application seriously structural however you might want to leave the defect inspection to a timberyard but unfortunately its not generally available dried beyond 45mm thickness.
Cheers

[Harry72]

It would look very strange most qlders are already anywhere from 1m - 2m off the ground, there are regulations that stop us from building over 8.75M (from memory) so that really isn't an option.


Tom

How do they build two story house's then, most would be higher than 8750mm.
The SWMBO parents last house was over 10000mm high, it would depend on local laws.

[tcns]

How do they build two story house's then, most would be higher than 8750mm.
The SWMBO parents last house was over 10000mm high, it would depend on local laws.

I think a picture would be the go,

The queenslanders as they stand are ususally between 600mm - 2000mm off the ground already - so if you plonked another house on top it would look very much out of proportion and even at 10m you would be lucky to get two stories + the distance off the ground within the bounds of the local law.

That and it would look hideous - it's a qld thing we raise them and build in underneather.

During more research I have found this company http://boothshire.com.au/propsaccess_propping.html

Who do hire out sleepers, jacks, props and bracing equipment.

I haven't priced anything yet but they look like they would have just about everything you would need.

Tom

[Hofmann]

I'm interested in doing a similar thing with my house except that its anormal weatherboard house in Newcastle. The house is about 1500 high at the back and 400 at the front.I have extensive views especialy if I go up. The reason I want to lift and build under instead of building on top are 1.downstairs I want a large amount of garage space and Im not keen on tearing out perfectly good and expensive to finish bedrooms to acommodate this.2.I get a finished, self contained, rentable flat upstairs and my wife and I can live downstairs next to my beloved garages. Iwant to design the stairs so that it can be lived in as one house,flats,flat and business etc for maximum resale appeal.3.Im not too keen on the present condition of my footings and dont reckon theyll take another story.This way,I can lift,put in permanent steel posts in on original footings,get the lifting gear out and pour a slab around the posts.Slab will probably be partly suspended.Any thoughts? Im a second year carpenter apprentice and Im also doing cert iv.I'm not even considering doing the lift myself but I want to detail this process for my cert iv build studies asignment. Does anyone know where i can find this info?