Hello fellow home builders,
Like many of you, I am currently in the early stages of planning my house. I’m really just at the beginning: the plot is reserved, I have had some discussions with construction companies, and I have created a spreadsheet listing all additional building costs, partly based on many contributions I found here in the forum.
However, there is one concerning item: earthworks.
The plot slopes down about 1.5–2 meters (5–6.5 feet) along its entire width (20 meters / 65 feet). I have been reading a lot over the last few days and I am currently very uncertain about what costs for earthworks I should expect. Right now, I have a very wide estimate range of 20,000 to 100,000 Euros, which makes planning difficult.
In my last conversation with a builder, the sales representative told me that the civil engineering companies I contacted could not provide a proper quote because soil reports and similar documents are missing. But I can only provide all the required information once I purchase the plot—a bit of a catch-22.
So I’m trying my luck here in the forum. Maybe some of you have had a similar plot and have built on it, and can give me a rough cost estimate or advice on which additional items to expect compared to a flat plot.
Yes, I know it’s quite difficult without knowing the soil conditions, but perhaps the current wide estimate of 20,000 to 100,000 Euros can be narrowed down a bit.
I’m attaching a picture taken from the front.
By the way, the planned house will be 9.5 meters (31 feet) wide and 11.5 meters (38 feet) deep, and the plot starts right at the left edge of the picture.
I appreciate any helpful and constructive input.
Like many of you, I am currently in the early stages of planning my house. I’m really just at the beginning: the plot is reserved, I have had some discussions with construction companies, and I have created a spreadsheet listing all additional building costs, partly based on many contributions I found here in the forum.
However, there is one concerning item: earthworks.
The plot slopes down about 1.5–2 meters (5–6.5 feet) along its entire width (20 meters / 65 feet). I have been reading a lot over the last few days and I am currently very uncertain about what costs for earthworks I should expect. Right now, I have a very wide estimate range of 20,000 to 100,000 Euros, which makes planning difficult.
In my last conversation with a builder, the sales representative told me that the civil engineering companies I contacted could not provide a proper quote because soil reports and similar documents are missing. But I can only provide all the required information once I purchase the plot—a bit of a catch-22.
So I’m trying my luck here in the forum. Maybe some of you have had a similar plot and have built on it, and can give me a rough cost estimate or advice on which additional items to expect compared to a flat plot.
Yes, I know it’s quite difficult without knowing the soil conditions, but perhaps the current wide estimate of 20,000 to 100,000 Euros can be narrowed down a bit.
I’m attaching a picture taken from the front.
By the way, the planned house will be 9.5 meters (31 feet) wide and 11.5 meters (38 feet) deep, and the plot starts right at the left edge of the picture.
I appreciate any helpful and constructive input.
yorolf87 schrieb:
Asking the "new neighbors" is not that simple; it’s a new development and only about one-third of the houses are completed.In that case, there should at least be a geotechnical survey report for the entire development to estimate costs. Additionally, you can also check the construction signs on the individual houses being built, as they often include the contact numbers of the owners.
yorolf87 schrieb:
I am active here in the forum, but when it comes to getting an answer about a specific existing plot of land, just reading is not enough. I also meant less that it would be educational just to read in other threads, but to also participate in other threads.
yorolf87 schrieb:
OK, I was not aware of that; I might have found out in one of the many topics. So, I can discard the current plan anyway. It was a single-family house with two full stories arranged at an angle. A clear and simple rule: the direction with the steeper slope should be along the shorter axis of the house; otherwise, it becomes expensive.
yorolf87 schrieb:
I just like to stay near the garage. You can stay near the garage, but not in the passageway (especially here because that would require the house and garage to be on the same level). I see the issue with layer 8 less here; you are focusing on the wrong critical points.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
H
hanghaus20236 Feb 2025 17:41If you are planning with the slope, then the earthworks are included.
It is probably steeper than 10%.
Could you please mark a boundary?
It is probably steeper than 10%.
Could you please mark a boundary?
yorolf87 schrieb:
Currently, I’m gathering ideas and suggestions from you all ;-)I think that’s already a great start.With a 2m (6.5 ft) height difference in the building area, a basement / lower ground floor is almost unavoidable. On the other hand, a bungalow would probably be the most expensive option. The key will be how well your requirements fit a house designed to work with the slope, rather than against it. This approach minimizes earthworks and their costs.
A precise cost estimate is unfortunately difficult, as there are too many variables. What always helps is asking around. The neighbors who are building nearby are naturally the best candidates. Don’t be shy about reaching out. If they’re not around, you can leave a friendly note or talk to the tradespeople.
You could also call the local disposal companies to find out what it costs to remove a ton of excavated material at your location. Using Pythagoras’ theorem and similar methods, you can estimate the volumes yourself. At the same time, you’ll learn how to position the house in a way that requires the least amount of earthworks.
And as always: the more information you gather, the more advice you’ll receive here.
H
hanghaus20236 Feb 2025 18:02I took a closer look at it. There is a height difference of 4.5 meters (15 feet) at the northern boundary.
Is there no building permit / planning permission available?
Is there no building permit / planning permission available?
11ant schrieb:
I meant less that it would form, also to read in other threads, but also to read in other threads.Best regards, which is why the underlines have disappeared here once again and it looks like I’m writing nonsense.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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