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  Chris Auld April 13, 2011 at 9:08pm

  Hi Angela, i did a simlar job to this recently. It is ok to use hardcore as long as its reasonably compacted to avoid any gaps, although i would want at least 12" of soil on top. There are many skip companies that will deliver  hardcore/brick rubble for free (locally) as it costs them more to send it to a landfill site. You should phone around a few companies and see what they can do. The drainage system on sleeper retaining walls is very important but a bit to complicated for me to discuss on here. Hope this helps.
• PRO

  Gary RK April 13, 2011 at 9:31pm

  Are you talking about sleepers on end or horizontal?

   

  Personally, I would consider a 1.4m (4.5ft in old money) Sleeper wall 'Structual', especially if area is heavily sloped.

   

  I would be looking for an professional help in understanding loading etc and best way to construct (posts, RSJ's, deadman arms etc)

  There's been many threads on here with different view on what is/isn't the best way.

   

  Not saying I know the best way, but have built a few and would not go that high without guidance or extensive experience...

   

  If you do sub contract, just make sure they know what they are doing as you will still carry the liability as Prime.
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  Angela Palmerton April 13, 2011 at 9:37pm

  Thanks Chris, that makes sense.  12" sounds good.  I'll call around the skip companies - didn't know they did that.
  
  Chris Auld said:

  Hi Angela, i did a simlar job to this recently. It is ok to use hardcore as long as its reasonably compacted to avoid any gaps, although i would want at least 12" of soil on top. There are many skip companies that will deliver  hardcore/brick rubble for free (locally) as it costs them more to send it to a landfill site. You should phone around a few companies and see what they can do. The drainage system on sleeper retaining walls is very important but a bit to complicated for me to discuss on here. Hope this helps.
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  Angela Palmerton April 13, 2011 at 9:45pm

  Thanks Gary - you're quite right this job (at least the structural elements) will fall to the experts - I'm backing away from this even more than I first thought which is no bad thing.  I'll still run it all through my company as want to continue expanding portfolio.  Have been, perhaps (definitely) embarrased to revert to client to say I need someone else to come and look at job before quoting as didn't want them to think I wasn't up to the job, or was in anyway 'cowboy bull-shitting" them when I visited.  Gotta be stronger!  Ooh, you don't wanna here my angsts - I'm clearing off now

   

  Thanks again
  Gary RK said:

  Are you talking about sleepers on end or horizontal?

   

  Personally, I would consider a 1.4m (4.5ft in old money) Sleeper wall 'Structual', especially if area is heavily sloped.

   

  I would be looking for an professional help in understanding loading etc and best way to construct (posts, RSJ's, deadman arms etc)

  There's been many threads on here with different view on what is/isn't the best way.

   

  Not saying I know the best way, but have built a few and would not go that high without guidance or extensive experience...

   
• PRO

  Gary RK April 13, 2011 at 10:07pm

  Angela,

   

  You should not be embarassed, far from it. The client should feel comfortable that you are taking the design/build sensibly and bringing in experts for specialised areas. It is not always possible or desirable to be a jack of all trades.

   

  Take an anology, a Builder does not do all the work himself (he might know how), but he will defer to plumbers, sparks, plasterers etc etc.

   

  Learn from who comes to quote with you so that next time you may be able to specify and quote and then sub out.
  
  Angela Palmerton said:

  Thanks Gary - you're quite right this job (at least the structural elements) will fall to the experts - I'm backing away from this even more than I first thought which is no bad thing.  I'll still run it all through my company as want to continue expanding portfolio.  Have been, perhaps (definitely) embarrased to revert to client to say I need someone else to come and look at job before quoting as didn't want them to think I wasn't up to the job, or was in anyway 'cowboy bull-shitting" them when I visited.  Gotta be stronger!  Ooh, you don't wanna here my angsts - I'm clearing off now

   

  Thanks again
  Gary RK said:

  Are you talking about sleepers on end or horizontal?

   

  Personally, I would consider a 1.4m (4.5ft in old money) Sleeper wall 'Structual', especially if area is heavily sloped.

   

  I would be looking for an professional help in understanding loading etc and best way to construct (posts, RSJ's, deadman arms etc)

  There's been many threads on here with different view on what is/isn't the best way.

   

  Not saying I know the best way, but have built a few and would not go that high without guidance or extensive experience...

   
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  Simon Smith April 13, 2011 at 11:16pm

  hey good luck with it! I'm sorry if it's dead patronising and you know this but i just thought i'd mention in case that sleepers as steps are pretty but also pretty deadly. They are very slippy when wet so either make client aware if that is what they have thier heart set on or make other arrangements.

   

  It have worked on a couple of gardens where clients have had sleeper based steps in and have moaned about how sliipy they are and how the landscaper never told them this etc etc.
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  Angela Palmerton April 14, 2011 at 8:08pm

  Patronising I can cope with, especially if it's putting me right !  Yeah, though, I had covered the slippy surface with client and we're going with chicken wire.  Any other thoughts do chuck 'em at me.

   

  Thanks Simon
  
  Simon Smith said:

  hey good luck with it! I'm sorry if it's dead patronising and you know this but i just thought i'd mention in case that sleepers as steps are pretty but also pretty deadly. They are very slippy when wet so either make client aware if that is what they have thier heart set on or make other arrangements.

   

  It have worked on a couple of gardens where clients have had sleeper based steps in and have moaned about how sliipy they are and how the landscaper never told them this etc etc.