Underbuild and Double Damp meanings

[Monkeybusiness]

I’m just about to pull the trigger on a new Redrow house for my stepmum (the very last thing I want to do in the current climate but circumstances have forced my hand).

I’ve got all of the docs in front of me to sign up to and there is mention on the plans of ‘Underbuild’ (red hashed line annotated 300 to one corner of the house) and ‘Double Damp’ (blue hashed line annotated DD to another corner).

Can someone explain these terms to a non-builder/ground worker please?

 

[V8Druid]

best guess'd be extra depth foundations on the underbuild bit and additional damp proofing at the other corner, all perhaps related to the proximity of the drive way? levels are all pretty much of a muchness so perhaps the ground is made up in the underbuild area and've had to go deeper with the founds ??

 

[Monkeybusiness]

best guess'd be extra depth foundations on the underbuild bit and additional damp proofing at the other corner, all perhaps related to the proximity of the drive way? levels are all pretty much of a muchness so perhaps the ground is made up in the underbuild area and've had to go deeper with the founds ??

That mirrors my thoughts but trying to get definitive clarity. Why only do a bit of the footing and not all of it is my first thought (obviously cost, but seems very Mickey Mouse to me).

 

[V8Druid]

That mirrors my thoughts but trying to get definitive clarity. Why only do a bit of the footing and not all of it is my first thought (obviously cost, but seems very Mickey Mouse to me).

I'd certainly want a plausible explanation from them as to their interpretation of the terms used .... and why they're in place at only those specific locations

 

[Silversabre]

Double Damp: would typically be installed anywhere where there is a likelihood of the external levels or standing water penetrating above the DPC, so if a building had level access doorways and a ramp running parallel, there would be a double Damp, the first DPC set a 15typically at FFL which is 150mm above the external ground level, a second would be installed locally 150mm above FFL

 

[Smiffy]

The other reason for extended foundations is if it's in clay ground and proximity to trees. I think anything within 25m of trees in clay has to have extended foundations. I have definitely had to dig one corner of a house foundation deeper for trees. And anything outside the 25m radius was normal depth. Although I don't know if this was decided by the engineer or building regs

 

[Bob]

Double damp could be for a suspended floor inside higher, deep footings could be because when digging out building inspector or nhbc found a soft spot and had to dig down to solid ground IE old ditches ,ponds etc

 

[V8Druid]

Double Damp: would typically be installed anywhere where there is a likelihood of the external levels or standing water penetrating above the DPC, so if a building had level access doorways and a ramp running parallel, there would be a double Damp, the first DPC set a 15typically at FFL which is 150mm above the external ground level, a second would be installed locally 150mm above FFL

looks like road level is higher than the driveway do you have a broader view of the groundplan MB?

 

[Lancs Lad]

I’m just about to pull the trigger on a new Redrow house for my stepmum (the very last thing I want to do in the current climate but circumstances have forced my hand).

I’ve got all of the docs in front of me to sign up to and there is mention on the plans of ‘Underbuild’ (red hashed line annotated 300 to one corner of the house) and ‘Double Damp’ (blue hashed line annotated DD to another corner).

Can someone explain these terms to a non-builder/ground worker please?

Is she that bad?
Sorry....but jokes aside what's the clauses like these days ? Was loads of hassle round here with weird ground rents and disappearing gardens...
Tbh went past some redrow on Sunday and we actually commented they didn't look as bad as some of the others been knocked up.some did have softwood waney cladding up up top in gables that be a fag to maintain tho .
If you want a selection we've got every housebuilder on the planet having a go here. Apparently 5% of all new builds in UK one year built here.

 

[Monkeybusiness]

looks like road level is higher than the driveway do you have a broader view of the groundplan MB?

It is unfortunately - several alarm bells are ringing as far as I’m concerned…

They’ve protected neighbouring houses to the north with ACO drains but only have them across the garage on the plot we are looking at (83).

Plot 82 looks worse as the shared drive falls their way(!!!)

 

[Silversabre]

With regard to Aco, i would check them out, as seen on linkedIn an inspector who does report for buyers keeps finding many a aco, with no outfall connection, just there for show

 

[Monkeybusiness]

 

[V8Druid]

garage is going to flood for sure 300mm below the road levels and rear corner of the house is at the same level ... back corner of the garden behind the garage is the lowest point by 150mm of all surrounding it gonna pool there ... wouldn't want plot 73

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Underbuild is where they have facing bricks below DPC level apparently - when the ground drops away to be more aesthetically pleasing (which makes sense).

 

[DaveDCB]

Like G said, I dislike the fact the garages sit so low, I always put them the same height as the house floor level if practical.
All this aside, in 5 years time if you were to buy this house I doubt you’d be casting your eyes across plans like this, so I wouldn’t worry too much. I assume they have 10yr NHBC warranty?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Like G said, I dislike the fact the garages sit so low, I always put them the same height as the house floor level if practical.
All this aside, in 5 years time if you were to buy this house I doubt you’d be casting your eyes across plans like this, so I wouldn’t worry too much. I assume they have 10yr NHBC warranty?

Yeah. I’m sure it will all be fine. (It’s just not a house I’d ever choose to buy!!!)

 

[Smiffy]

Like G said, I dislike the fact the garages sit so low, I always put them the same height as the house floor level if practical.
All this aside, in 5 years time if you were to buy this house I doubt you’d be casting your eyes across plans like this, so I wouldn’t worry too much. I assume they have 10yr NHBC warranty?

I don't know have you seen the videos from the new hom inspectors on social media.
It's truly shocking the games they are up to.

 

[DaveDCB]

To be fair I’ve worked on most of the big guys sites, but redrow isn’t one of them! I’d only ever mildly consider William Davis homes, they seemed to do a decent job.

 

[Smiffy]

To be fair I’ve worked on most of the big guys sites, but redrow isn’t one of them! I’d only ever mildly consider William Davis homes, they seemed to do a decent job.

Watching the blokes on social media it seems it varies from site to site and the site manager has more to do with it than the actual company.

I've only worked for smaller developers but even then the things they ask for can be dire.
Not necessarily just structural but the asthetics are completely over looked

 

[Lancs Lad]

Watching the blokes on social media it seems it varies from site to site and the site manager has more to do with it than the actual company.

I've only worked for smaller developers but even then the things they ask for can be dire.
Not necessarily just structural but the asthetics are completely over looked

Did occur to me I'm horrified at the thought of buying a modern build....and yet we bought a 1920s mongrellised cottage that's sunk more cash than I dare to think and 10 years of graft and still is a pain who's the sucker