General advice
- Buy common power tools early, they will save time at every step of the build. Some examples:
- Framing nailer (10 gauge), finishing nailer (14 or 15 gauge) – check min. gauges required for your selected cladding and flooring prior to purchase.
- Laser measure with electronic viewfinder (so it can be used outside in full sun).
- Fence site for security and safety (requirement). Rental fencing is expensive, so it makes sense to build an actual boundary fence first. Neighbours are legally required to share half the cost of agreed fence type.
- Organise temporary site accomodation. A caravan or site office saves travel time and fuel costs and allows tools to be stored securely.
- Temporary power for light and charging tools can be via generator or a kind neighbour via a box with kWh meter so that electricity used can be paid for.
- With tape measures and laser level, set out the site. Place setout poles and beams about 1 m from footings to allow machinery movement.
- Use string lines to indicate edges of floor frame and centre of each bearer.
- Drill footings to prescribed depth using excavator with auger. This can be strenuous on rocky sites. (First practice and get confidence elsewhere on the property. Seek advice.) Use 2.5 t excavator or heavier if soil is hard.
- Use excavated soil to level site under the house, ensuring correct drainage away from it.
- Clear bottom of holes using post hole pincer
- Suspend temporary bearer on posts along string lines
- Fabricate reinforcing steel baskets where required and suspend together with the steel stumps from the bearers in the holes. Ensure required clearances from sides, top and bottom of holes are maintained.
Required equipment and materials include:
- Sufficiently long tape measure
- Laser level
- Chalk marker spray
- Builder’s string lines
- Star posts
- 90×35 setout beams and temporary bearers (or actual bearers)
- Steel stumps with ant caps, such as Unipier
- Steel reinforcements bars and ligatures, fencing wire 1.75-2 mm for connections and hanging
- Excavator with auger or other auger of required diameter
- Screws, nail, nail guns and other common tools and consumables.
