11 Ways To Save You Money

(1) Minimum walling, minimum cost - Slope soil to the head of the wall reducing its height. Only retain what is absolutely necessary, if you don't need it to do a job, don't build it.

(2) Question your engineer, most engineering detail is Photostatted general calculations. In most instances it is correct, yet we have seen many instances where alterations to design can save $1000s.

(3) Build your walls before you build your house, after site works but before structural and brickwork. Yes the flooring can be down unless it is a waffle pad footing. The easier the access, the quicker to build and cheaper your wall will be.

(4) If you have rock type soil conditions work with it not against it. There are ways to minimise costly removal.

(5) If affected by Law 75S2 (a-c) see if modification of the law is appropriate to your situation.

(6) Combine wall construction with neighbours if possible. It is always cheaper for both parties especially if you’re the one retaining fill.

(7) Do as much as you can yourself

(8) Choose the right contractor and if price is amazingly cheaper than others be very careful, something is missing. Failed walls cannot be fixed only replaced, which is very expensive. NB Landscapers unless licensed specifically to do so are limited in wall construction to 1.0m high.

(9) Obtain a written guarantee by a licensed contractor, 5-year minimum (RWI offers 10 years).

(10) Backfill walls correctly. Incorrect backfill is a major cause of wall failure; it is worth the extra.

(11) Do not modify specifications to suit your pocket. Seek professional advice if you feel the specifications you have are "over the top".

Last modified on Saturday, 3 April 1999