ᐅ Are the general contractor’s estimated costs for earthworks reasonable?
Created on: 20 Aug 2013 17:01
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Carsten82
Hello dear forum,
I have a question regarding the costs for the earthworks. Construction of our single-family house with a basement is about to begin, and it is being built through/with a general contractor (GC) in Rhineland-Palatinate. The earthworks are optionally included in the construction contract and cover stripping and side storage of the topsoil, excavation of the foundation pit, foundation, and pipe trenches, including side storage (all soil classes 3-5). Backfilling and removal are extra and charged based on actual effort.
The concrete slab will have approximate dimensions of 10m x 10m (33ft x 33ft). The cost for this service is €2,400 (USD equivalent) or will be deducted from the total amount if subcontracted to an external company.
My question is whether €2,400 is a reasonable price for this work? At the moment, I have no way to assess it.
External quotes have not been obtained yet because the results of the soil survey are still pending. Honestly, I am also a bit hesitant about subcontracting this work, as it could cause unforeseen delays or issues if the excavation is done incorrectly. This way, the responsibility remains with the GC.
Thank you in advance for your assessment.
Best regards,
Carsten82
I have a question regarding the costs for the earthworks. Construction of our single-family house with a basement is about to begin, and it is being built through/with a general contractor (GC) in Rhineland-Palatinate. The earthworks are optionally included in the construction contract and cover stripping and side storage of the topsoil, excavation of the foundation pit, foundation, and pipe trenches, including side storage (all soil classes 3-5). Backfilling and removal are extra and charged based on actual effort.
The concrete slab will have approximate dimensions of 10m x 10m (33ft x 33ft). The cost for this service is €2,400 (USD equivalent) or will be deducted from the total amount if subcontracted to an external company.
My question is whether €2,400 is a reasonable price for this work? At the moment, I have no way to assess it.
External quotes have not been obtained yet because the results of the soil survey are still pending. Honestly, I am also a bit hesitant about subcontracting this work, as it could cause unforeseen delays or issues if the excavation is done incorrectly. This way, the responsibility remains with the GC.
Thank you in advance for your assessment.
Best regards,
Carsten82
Hello again,
I think you misunderstood me.
1. It’s not that we had these huge costs because our soil wasn’t stable. On the contrary: you need gravel because you need gravel because you need gravel. Unless you don’t mind your ground around the house settling significantly downward in the first months or years! You can imagine what that means for outdoor features (stairs, paths, terrace...) and the house itself. Maybe we filled in a bit too much gravel... maybe even more than necessary... but I definitely feel better spending more here than cutting corners on this item!!!
2. Building without drainage is something I would seriously reconsider. Regardless of how rainwater is managed. But where does the water infiltrate? Where does it collect underground? I like to know that it flows cleanly past my house or the outside wall of the basement. Are we even talking about the same thing? I mean an underground drainage system... a properly installed perforated drain pipe that directs all water cleanly past your basement wall.
3. Will you need a crane later? Probably yes. Then a gravelled spot for the crane might need to be prepared. Is that included?
4. Basically: your general contractor (GC) will – I assume – probably do their work properly for 2,400 euros. But the question in this case is less what they DO and more what they DON’T do. If your contract does not specify that they will dig and build the inspection chamber, they won’t do it. Then you can renegotiate (which will probably be expensive) or you find another contractor (which means you’ll have to coordinate between the two, something you usually want to avoid with a GC). If it says they’ll dig the trenches for the pipes, they will do that. But that does not mean they will lay the pipes. And it certainly does not mean they will connect them to the sewer or water system.
By the way, from our experience: we received offers and their “standard construction descriptions” from several GCs. They sounded great to us, and our architect wanted to review them. When we met with him two weeks later, the construction descriptions were full of markings, comments, and questions. And almost always, it wasn’t about what was included, but what was missing. And that would never have caught our attention otherwise!
I think you misunderstood me.
1. It’s not that we had these huge costs because our soil wasn’t stable. On the contrary: you need gravel because you need gravel because you need gravel. Unless you don’t mind your ground around the house settling significantly downward in the first months or years! You can imagine what that means for outdoor features (stairs, paths, terrace...) and the house itself. Maybe we filled in a bit too much gravel... maybe even more than necessary... but I definitely feel better spending more here than cutting corners on this item!!!
2. Building without drainage is something I would seriously reconsider. Regardless of how rainwater is managed. But where does the water infiltrate? Where does it collect underground? I like to know that it flows cleanly past my house or the outside wall of the basement. Are we even talking about the same thing? I mean an underground drainage system... a properly installed perforated drain pipe that directs all water cleanly past your basement wall.
3. Will you need a crane later? Probably yes. Then a gravelled spot for the crane might need to be prepared. Is that included?
4. Basically: your general contractor (GC) will – I assume – probably do their work properly for 2,400 euros. But the question in this case is less what they DO and more what they DON’T do. If your contract does not specify that they will dig and build the inspection chamber, they won’t do it. Then you can renegotiate (which will probably be expensive) or you find another contractor (which means you’ll have to coordinate between the two, something you usually want to avoid with a GC). If it says they’ll dig the trenches for the pipes, they will do that. But that does not mean they will lay the pipes. And it certainly does not mean they will connect them to the sewer or water system.
By the way, from our experience: we received offers and their “standard construction descriptions” from several GCs. They sounded great to us, and our architect wanted to review them. When we met with him two weeks later, the construction descriptions were full of markings, comments, and questions. And almost always, it wasn’t about what was included, but what was missing. And that would never have caught our attention otherwise!
Orion schrieb:
2. I would seriously reconsider building without drainage. Regardless of insured rainwater issues. But where does it actually infiltrate? Where does it collect underground? I like to know that water flows cleanly past my house or the exterior wall of the basement. Are we even talking about the same thing? I’m referring to an underground drainage system... a properly installed drainage pipe that directs all water cleanly past your basement wall. Hello,
you cannot just install a drainage system without consideration. We received guidelines from the local authority regarding wastewater disposal and water supply, which state: “According to DIN 4095 and DIN 1986 Part 3, water from drainage pipes must not be discharged into sewage or stormwater drains. Safety drainage systems require individual approval from the water management authority.”
I believe in such cases a soil expert must confirm that a drainage system is necessary; otherwise, you will not receive approval.
Best regards,
Lilik
Hello Lilik,
Okay, you’re right. To be honest, I’m not really concerned about the individual items themselves... I can’t assess that from here and I don’t want to. My main point is that quite a few things still tend to be missing from the list. A drainage system was just one example, certainly not the most important of all.
Okay, you’re right. To be honest, I’m not really concerned about the individual items themselves... I can’t assess that from here and I don’t want to. My main point is that quite a few things still tend to be missing from the list. A drainage system was just one example, certainly not the most important of all.
Hello Lilik,
the DIN standards only state that drainage must not be discharged into the public sewer system, right? That’s why an average homeowner also needs a soakaway or infiltration pit to which the drainage lines, as well as roof surfaces, paved walkways, etc., are directed. And the soakaway pit costs money,...
the DIN standards only state that drainage must not be discharged into the public sewer system, right? That’s why an average homeowner also needs a soakaway or infiltration pit to which the drainage lines, as well as roof surfaces, paved walkways, etc., are directed. And the soakaway pit costs money,...
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DerBjoern22 Aug 2013 14:20In my case, it is also regulated so that I am not allowed to discharge rainwater into the sewer system. The water must infiltrate on the property. Even this has to be applied for (processing fees), and before the infiltration trenches (soakaways) are covered with sand again, they must be inspected by the local authorities (even higher fees). If the authorities have any doubts, a smoke test is carried out (much higher fees). So simply letting rainwater infiltrate on the property is not allowed in Germany...
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