Hello,
What is the usual tolerance for cost estimates in quotes (legal practice?) regarding unforeseen conditions in the existing soil for earthworks?
At what point does a (non-)binding quote become invalid?
Is 20% or 40% miscalculation acceptable?
Probably, with fixed-price quotes, enforcement is difficult if significant unforeseen issues arise, such as unexploded ordnance or similar.
Does the risk related to the soil conditions lie with the client?
Does anyone have experience with this?
What is the usual tolerance for cost estimates in quotes (legal practice?) regarding unforeseen conditions in the existing soil for earthworks?
At what point does a (non-)binding quote become invalid?
Is 20% or 40% miscalculation acceptable?
Probably, with fixed-price quotes, enforcement is difficult if significant unforeseen issues arise, such as unexploded ordnance or similar.
Does the risk related to the soil conditions lie with the client?
Does anyone have experience with this?
W
Wassermann29 Sep 2021 09:05First, a geotechnical report should provide information about the basic characteristics of the soil. This serves as a solid foundation for further planning.
The earthworks contractor will ALWAYS assume that the site is free of unexploded ordnance and underground utilities. Information about utilities on the property can be obtained from the local municipality/utility company/energy provider.
Unexploded ordnance is usually unknown beforehand. Naturally, this can significantly increase the costs. The earthworks contractor cannot be held responsible for this and is entitled to charge you for the additional expenses after notifying you, provided the contract continues. The amount of these costs depends on many variables.
The earthworks contractor will ALWAYS assume that the site is free of unexploded ordnance and underground utilities. Information about utilities on the property can be obtained from the local municipality/utility company/energy provider.
Unexploded ordnance is usually unknown beforehand. Naturally, this can significantly increase the costs. The earthworks contractor cannot be held responsible for this and is entitled to charge you for the additional expenses after notifying you, provided the contract continues. The amount of these costs depends on many variables.
W
Wassermann29 Sep 2021 09:06In short: Yes, the risk lies with the owner.
P
Pinkiponk29 Sep 2021 09:10This means that the civil engineer cannot just "make up any circumstances" on the spot to charge more money, unfortunately, unfortunately?
@Pinkiponk
As a layperson, you are somewhat dependent on statements like, "We need to replace more because the unstable soil unfortunately lies unevenly on the building plot." In this way, you can’t really verify it yourself. At least you receive delivery notes for the new soil and disposal receipts for the removed soil. Whether this was truly necessary, however, you won’t find out unless you commission another expert report. But the time involved in that usually costs more.
As a layperson, you are somewhat dependent on statements like, "We need to replace more because the unstable soil unfortunately lies unevenly on the building plot." In this way, you can’t really verify it yourself. At least you receive delivery notes for the new soil and disposal receipts for the removed soil. Whether this was truly necessary, however, you won’t find out unless you commission another expert report. But the time involved in that usually costs more.