ᐅ Assessment of Building Site – Your Opinions?

Hello everyone,

we are planning to purchase a plot of land and have received a geotechnical survey from the local authority. I have attached a screenshot with the results. Measurements 13 and 14 were taken directly next to the property, while the other two are about 50 meters (165 feet) from the property boundary. The plot is marked with an X.

We are now wondering what impact this might have on the foundation and costs.

Does anyone have experience with similar soil conditions? Should we expect additional costs for soil replacement or special foundation measures?

Thanks for your insights!

I’ll call in @Cronos86, if I remember correctly, they are our forum’s civil engineering expert.

NeubauWinsen schrieb:

We are planning to buy a plot of land and have received a soil investigation report from the local authority.

It is located in S., H-str, take the first roundabout to the right when coming from the west. Former nursery.

ypg schrieb:

That is in S., H-str., take the first roundabout right when coming from W. Former nursery.

Yes, that's correct. What are your thoughts on it?

NeubauWinsen schrieb:

Yes, that's true. What do you think about it?

It brings up emotions for me. I used to enjoy shopping there.
Local news at the time warned about glyphosate, but this issue probably affects all former farmland that has been cultivated and is now being converted into building land.
The soil report you have definitely does not replace your own report for the specific plot where you are building. This is explicitly stated in the soil report from CK. This also applies to other development areas, though I haven’t seen the notice placed on the first page like that before.
I can’t read it myself.

The area is quite close to the dike and the nature reserve zone. My parents had to do soil replacement work back then, but they were even closer to the Elbe River.
In your case, it’s the Brack (where I learned to ice skate—those waters used to freeze every year).
I would drive around the area to the right of H.-Str. to check out newer constructions and ask the residents there. This can be done easily on a sunny Sunday when people are outdoors in their gardens. Basement construction there is practically off-limits!

Hello,
I’d like to share a brief assessment of the soil (without knowing the exact location and conditions).

The main challenge is the high groundwater level. I would advise against building a basement because the costs for groundwater lowering and shoring could be quite high. It’s better to check the groundwater level again beforehand.

The sandy soil itself is not a problem. My general recommendation is to remove the topsoil and then recompact the subgrade (with a minimum groundwater clearance of 50 cm (20 inches)) before building up a base layer to reach the desired height. Consider potential HQ 100 flood events.

Make sure to carry out a separate investigation for the plot to rule out any significant peat layers beneath the building.

But as long as you don’t have peat layers, there is no objection to the site in principle.

Regards,
Tobi