Help Centre
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Help Centre
Straight answers to the questions Melbourne homeowners, builders and developers ask most about concrete, excavation, foundations and retaining walls.
Browse 609+ answered questions.
All Questions
Does my council require an asset protection permit for excavation?
Many Victorian councils require an asset protection permit for construction work that could affect council-owned infrastructure — footpaths, kerbs, nature strips —…
Read Answer Council RequirementsDo I need to notify council before a concrete truck arrives?
Generally not for a routine delivery accessing your own property normally, but if the truck needs to use nature strip access, temporary…
Read Answer Building PermitsCan a building permit be transferred if I sell the property?
A building permit is generally attached to the property itself rather than the individual owner, meaning approved work can genuinely continue under…
Read Answer Building PermitsWhat happens if I build without a required permit?
Genuine consequences can include fines, a requirement to obtain retrospective approval (which may require costly rework if the as-built work doesn't comply),…
Read Answer Building PermitsCan I start work before my building permit is approved?
No, genuinely not for structural work requiring a permit — proceeding before approval is issued is a real compliance risk, potentially resulting…
Read Answer EngineeringHow long does a typical engineering design take?
For a standard residential slab, engineering design often takes one to a few weeks once your soil report and building design details…
Read Answer EngineeringCan engineering drawings be reused for a similar project?
Not genuinely, no — engineering drawings are certified specifically for your site's actual soil conditions and your building's actual design and loads,…
Read Answer EngineeringWhat happens if an engineer’s design needs to change mid-build?
If a genuine site condition differs from what was assumed at design stage (unexpected rock, different soil than the original test area,…
Read Answer Soil ReportsCan a soil report be done on a block I haven’t purchased yet?
Yes, provided you can arrange access with the current owner's permission — this is genuinely a smart step for anyone considering purchasing…
Read Answer Soil ReportsHow many boreholes does a soil report usually require?
This genuinely varies with your site's size and the complexity of the assessment needed — a standard residential soil report commonly involves…
Read Answer Soil ReportsCan I reuse a neighbour’s soil report for my own build?
No, genuinely not appropriate — soil conditions can vary meaningfully even between adjacent blocks, and a compliant foundation design needs a soil…
Read Answer FoundationsCan a foundation last longer than the house built on it?
Genuinely, yes — a properly designed and constructed foundation can often outlast the original structure above it, provided it hasn't been compromised…
Read Answer FoundationsHow is a foundation protected during nearby construction?
Proper assessment of the existing structure, careful excavation technique, and in some cases specific engineering measures (temporary support, monitoring) are used to…
Read Answer FoundationsDoes tree removal affect an existing foundation?
It genuinely can, particularly on reactive clay soil — established trees draw significant moisture from the ground, and removing a mature tree…
Read Answer Commercial ConcreteDoes commercial concrete require public liability insurance checks?
Yes, genuinely important — verifying a commercial concrete contractor's public liability insurance (and other relevant coverage) is a real, standard due diligence…
Read Answer Commercial ConcreteCan commercial concrete work start without a signed contract?
It's genuinely not advisable — a proper signed contract, clearly setting out scope, price, timeline and terms, protects both parties and should…
Read Answer Commercial ConcreteCan commercial concrete work be done outside business hours?
Yes, often — after-hours or overnight scheduling is a common, genuine approach for commercial projects wanting to minimise disruption to normal business…
Read Answer Bored PiersCan bored piers be used alongside a waffle slab?
Yes — this combination is used where a site's soil conditions call for both a waffle slab's flexibility for surface soil movement…
Read Answer Bored PiersAre bored piers inspected before being filled with concrete?
Yes, typically — bored pier holes are inspected before filling to confirm depth, diameter, and ground conditions match what the engineering design…
Read Answer Bored PiersCan bored piers be drilled through rock?
Yes, though it genuinely requires appropriate drilling equipment suited to rock — different, generally more robust equipment than what's needed for standard…
Read Answer Screw PilesHow deep do screw piles typically need to go?
This genuinely varies by site — screw piles are installed to a depth where they achieve adequate bearing in stable ground, which…
Read Answer Screw PilesAre screw piles quieter than other deep foundation methods?
Generally yes — screw piles are mechanically screwed into the ground rather than requiring drilling and concrete pouring, which tends to make…
Read Answer Screw PilesCan screw piles be removed and reused elsewhere?
Technically yes, in some circumstances — screw piles can be unscrewed and removed given they're mechanically installed rather than poured, a genuine…
Read Answer Retaining WallsDoes a retaining wall add value to my property?
Often yes, particularly where it genuinely improves your property's usability — creating usable flat garden or entertaining space on a sloping block,…
Read Answer Retaining WallsCan an existing retaining wall be made taller?
Not straightforwardly — simply adding height to an existing wall's top isn't generally a sound approach, since the original wall was designed…
Read Answer Retaining WallsCan plants be grown against a retaining wall?
Yes, generally, though it's worth being mindful of root systems — larger trees with aggressive root growth planted too close can potentially…
Read Answer Soil RemovalCan soil removal be scheduled around my daily routine?
Often yes, to a reasonable extent — a properly organised contractor can generally discuss timing considerations relevant to your household, though genuine…
Read Answer Soil RemovalDo I need a permit to have soil trucks on my street?
Depending on your specific street and council, some form of permit or notification can genuinely be required, particularly if truck access needs…
Read Answer Soil RemovalCan I keep some of my excavated soil for the garden?
Often yes, where the material is genuinely suitable — good quality topsoil in particular can be worth retaining for garden beds or…
Read Answer Site CutsDo site cuts need a retaining wall afterward?
Often yes, where the cut creates a genuine level change against an adjoining area (a neighbouring property, or another part of your…
Read Answer Site CutsCan a site cut be avoided by building up instead?
Sometimes, yes — filling to raise a site rather than cutting to lower it is a genuine alternative approach in some circumstances,…
Read Answer Site CutsCan a site cut affect my neighbour’s drainage?
It genuinely can if not properly managed — changing your site's levels can affect how water naturally flows across a boundary, making…
Read Answer ExcavationCan excavation work go ahead in winter?
Generally yes, though winter's wetter conditions can genuinely affect scheduling and ground workability more than drier months — an experienced contractor plans…
Read Answer ExcavationDo I need to be home during excavation work?
Not necessarily for the entire duration, though being available (in person or by phone) for any genuine questions or decisions that arise…
Read Answer ExcavationCan excavation be done in a small backyard?
Yes, genuinely — compact excavation equipment specifically suited to tight residential access is commonly used for smaller backyard projects, allowing work in…
Read Answer ExcavationWhat happens if excavation hits an unmarked pipe?
Even with a proper Dial Before You Dig check completed, occasionally a service is unmarked or inaccurately located — if this happens,…
Read Answer Plain & Coloured ConcreteCan plain concrete be coloured later after it’s poured?
Not in the same way as integrated oxide colour added at batching — but genuine options exist for existing concrete, including concrete…
Read Answer Plain & Coloured ConcreteCan I match a colour sample exactly for my concrete?
Getting genuinely close to a specific sample is often achievable, but an exact match isn't always guaranteed — concrete colour can be…
Read Answer Plain & Coloured ConcreteHow is colour added to concrete during the pour?
Colour is typically added as an oxide pigment mixed into the concrete batch before or during batching, thoroughly integrated so the colour…
Read Answer Plain & Coloured ConcreteCan I mix two colours in one concrete pour?
Yes — this is achieved by pouring separate sections with different colour batches, divided by a control joint or forming line, rather…
Read Answer Exposed AggregateDoes exposed aggregate cost more than a broom finish?
Yes, generally — exposed aggregate involves additional finishing steps (washing/exposing the surface, sealing) compared to a standard broom finish, reflected in a…
Read Answer Exposed AggregateCan exposed aggregate be repaired if it chips?
Minor chips can often be repaired with appropriate patching techniques, though achieving a genuinely seamless colour and texture match to surrounding aggregate…
Read Answer Exposed AggregateIs exposed aggregate harder to clean than plain concrete?
Somewhat, yes — its textured surface can hold onto dirt and grime slightly more than a smooth plain concrete surface, though this…
Read Answer Exposed AggregateHow often does exposed aggregate need resealing?
As a general guide, every two to three years for a high-traffic, sun-exposed driveway, though this varies with your specific sealer, sun…
Read Answer Concrete DrivewaysCan I add a border or edging to my concrete driveway?
Yes — a contrasting border, often in a different colour or finish to the main driveway surface, is a genuinely popular way…
Read Answer Concrete DrivewaysIs a curved driveway more expensive to build?
Often somewhat, yes — curved formwork and more complex site setup generally take more time and skill than a straightforward rectangular driveway,…
Read Answer Concrete DrivewaysCan heavy trucks or caravans park on a home driveway?
A standard residential driveway is generally designed for typical passenger vehicle loads — regularly parking genuinely heavy vehicles (large trucks, laden trailers,…
Read Answer Concrete DrivewaysHow many days should I stay off a new driveway?
As a general guide, light foot traffic is often fine after a few days, while vehicle traffic commonly needs around a week…
Read Answer Waffle SlabsIs a waffle slab cheaper than a strip footing system?
There's no universal answer — cost comparison genuinely depends on your specific site and building design, since these two systems suit somewhat…
Read Answer Waffle SlabsCan a waffle slab be built on a steep site?
It can be, provided appropriate site preparation (cutting, filling, or in some cases stepped design) establishes a genuinely suitable building pad —…
Read Answer Waffle SlabsHow much concrete does a standard waffle slab use?
This genuinely depends on your slab's area, thickness, and the specific waffle pod system used — the ribbed structure actually uses less…
Read Answer Waffle SlabsDo waffle slabs need extra plumbing planning?
Yes, genuinely — a waffle slab's ribbed beam structure means plumbing penetrations need to be planned around the beam layout, rather than…
Read Answer Raft SlabsCan a raft slab move or crack over time?
Some fine, stable hairline cracking is genuinely normal shrinkage behaviour in any concrete slab, raft slabs included — this isn't a sign…
Read Answer Raft SlabsHow long does a raft slab take to build?
A standard residential raft slab, from site preparation through to a curing surface ready for the next stage, typically takes one to…
Read Answer Raft SlabsHow thick is a typical raft slab edge beam?
Edge beam dimensions genuinely vary by design, but are typically deeper than the slab's main body — providing additional strength around the…
Read Answer Raft SlabsCan a raft slab be used on a sloping block?
It can be, though a sloping block often needs additional site preparation — cutting or filling to establish a level building pad…
Read Answer House SlabsHow do I know if my house slab is structurally sound?
A compliant house slab's soundness is confirmed through the certification process itself — your engineer's certified design, proper inspections during construction (reinforcement,…
Read Answer House SlabsCan a house slab be poured in one day?
The actual concrete pour itself is often completed in a single day for a standard residential slab, though the preparation leading up…
Read Answer House SlabsIs there a warranty on a new house slab?
Yes — structural work like a house slab is generally covered by statutory warranty periods in Victoria, in addition to whatever specific…
Read Answer House SlabsWhat’s included in a standard house slab package?
A properly detailed house slab package typically includes site preparation, engineering-specified reinforcement, concrete supply and pouring, and finishing — but the exact…
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