Hello everyone,
my husband and I have found a home builder with whom we would like to realize our dream of owning a house. After extensive research, we noticed significant differences regarding the basement. We have now received an offer amounting to about 36,000 EUR (excavated excess material must be disposed of by us and is not included in the price). The basement is intended to be a purely utility basement, not a living basement. What should we pay attention to, and what must definitely be specified in the building description concerning the basement? What costs can we expect for the disposal of the excess excavated material? Before we proceed with building the house, we would like to have the offer checked by an expert to avoid any unpleasant surprises later. Does anyone know of reliable contacts? Many thanks in advance for your answers.
my husband and I have found a home builder with whom we would like to realize our dream of owning a house. After extensive research, we noticed significant differences regarding the basement. We have now received an offer amounting to about 36,000 EUR (excavated excess material must be disposed of by us and is not included in the price). The basement is intended to be a purely utility basement, not a living basement. What should we pay attention to, and what must definitely be specified in the building description concerning the basement? What costs can we expect for the disposal of the excess excavated material? Before we proceed with building the house, we would like to have the offer checked by an expert to avoid any unpleasant surprises later. Does anyone know of reliable contacts? Many thanks in advance for your answers.
P
perlenmann18 Jun 2011 12:48Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,
Regardless of the fact that the current situation probably cannot be changed and assuming the excavation itself was part of the contract scope:
- Was the disposal of the excess soil clarified before awarding the contract?
- How was the general contractor (GC) instructed regarding removal/deposit of the soil?
- Or was there no contract at all, and the GC just hauled it away and sent an invoice?
By the topsoil layer, you probably mean the topsoil, which is usually stripped off and stored on the property, if space allows. For one meter of clay soil and the rest gravel (which will be reused), the price of around 22.00/m³ (about 0.27 yd³) is already at the upper end of the scale.
Best regardsHello Bauexperte,
you know my GC anyway,
I was on vacation and received the quote on Friday (but I wasn’t there), and excavation took place on Monday. I really had no choice, and I never confirmed it.
Gravel for backfilling was stored, but I don’t know if there was any topsoil underneath or behind it.
A correction: 217 m³ (284 yd³) was hauled away for 3654 net, so about €4350, which equals roughly 20 €/m³ (about 15 USD/yd³). The rest was 5 €/m² (about 0.46 USD/ft²) for clearing all the blackberry bushes, stumps, etc.
Additionally, the offer stated that soil with roots would cost nearly 22 €/m³ (about 17 USD/yd³), but even though more than 20 m³ (about 26 yd³) of that was generated, it was not charged.
B
Bauexperte18 Jun 2011 13:46Hello,
This won’t exactly please the managing director, since his team is assigning work to third parties without obtaining written or verbal approval from the client.
This should be guaranteed by your general contractor in the contract; the topsoil is supposed to be stored separately behind the gravel, as it will be needed later.
In my opinion, you should just quietly pay, because first, your general contractor made a mistake in the offer regarding root removal (assuming we are talking about trees)—municipalities often charge €200.00 or more per root—and second, he hasn’t even invoiced you for it yet.
Kind regards
Perlenmann schrieb:
I was on vacation and received the offer on Friday (but I wasn’t there), and on Monday excavation started. I didn’t really have a choice and never confirmed it.[
This won’t exactly please the managing director, since his team is assigning work to third parties without obtaining written or verbal approval from the client.
Perlenmann schrieb:
Gravel for backfilling has been stored, no idea if there is also topsoil underneath/behind it.
This should be guaranteed by your general contractor in the contract; the topsoil is supposed to be stored separately behind the gravel, as it will be needed later.
Perlenmann schrieb:
Furthermore, according to the offer, you would owe nearly €22 per cubic meter including roots, but even though about 20m³ (26 cubic yards) accumulated, this was not charged.
In my opinion, you should just quietly pay, because first, your general contractor made a mistake in the offer regarding root removal (assuming we are talking about trees)—municipalities often charge €200.00 or more per root—and second, he hasn’t even invoiced you for it yet.
Kind regards
P
perlenmann20 Jun 2011 10:05Why do the local authorities charge money for this?
B
Bauexperte20 Jun 2011 12:14Hello,
Because it almost resembles a "jack of all trades"? The builders pay up to €200.00 or more per root for disposal at the landfill. Then it is processed into mulch at the supply yard and resold.
That is why I usually recommend my clients an alternative solution; it costs at most fifty euros and both the excavator operator and the builder are happy.
Kind regards
Perlenmann schrieb:
Why do the municipalities want to charge money for this?
Because it almost resembles a "jack of all trades"? The builders pay up to €200.00 or more per root for disposal at the landfill. Then it is processed into mulch at the supply yard and resold.
That is why I usually recommend my clients an alternative solution; it costs at most fifty euros and both the excavator operator and the builder are happy.
Kind regards
P
perlenmann7 Jul 2011 08:48And I have to deal with this again.
Although I was told our stored excavated soil would be sufficient, the same earthmover has now brought 4 truckloads of new sand to level around the house. Without asking, without an order, without a quote. Is this even acceptable? What should I do now?
Although I was told our stored excavated soil would be sufficient, the same earthmover has now brought 4 truckloads of new sand to level around the house. Without asking, without an order, without a quote. Is this even acceptable? What should I do now?
B
Bauexperte7 Jul 2011 09:30Hello,
Same scenario as before; try to discuss this with your salesperson/site manager and/or the responsible managing director of your provider. In general, such measures should be confirmed by signature and not initiated independently—unless you have already signed approval for situations like this upfront.
Kind regards
Perlenmann schrieb:
Although I was told that our stored excavated soil would be enough, the same site supervisor has now delivered 4 truckloads of new sand to pile around the house. Without asking, without an order, without a quote. Is that actually acceptable? What should I do now?
Same scenario as before; try to discuss this with your salesperson/site manager and/or the responsible managing director of your provider. In general, such measures should be confirmed by signature and not initiated independently—unless you have already signed approval for situations like this upfront.
Kind regards
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