Hello!
I hope this is the right subforum.
Here is the situation: Our neighbors are currently excavating about 0.50 - 0.6 m (20 - 24 inches) away from our garage to a depth of approximately 1.50 - 1.80 m (59 - 71 inches). Our garage is built on strip foundations. I don’t know the exact depth of these, but I assume they extend to a maximum of 80 cm (31 inches). No underpinning, shoring, or battering/sloping was done during the excavation. About 0.5 m (20 inches) from our garage, the ground is now excavated straight down to at least 1.50 m (59 inches) depth.
According to my understanding of standards like DIN 4123, if no additional underpinning measures are taken, excavation up to 2 m (6.5 ft) next to the garage should only go to a maximum of 50 cm (20 inches) above the foundation base, which is about 30 cm (12 inches) deep. Only beyond 2 m (6.5 ft) distance can excavation be carried out deeper with a proper slope or batter. Otherwise, appropriate section-by-section underpinning should be carried out professionally.
Are my concerns about the structural stability of the garage foundations justified, or am I mistaken? We have already spoken with the neighbors, but they rely on their contractor. If my concerns are valid, what would be reasonable next steps I can take to ensure the stability of the garage? The location is the federal state of Hesse.
I would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer here.
I hope this is the right subforum.
Here is the situation: Our neighbors are currently excavating about 0.50 - 0.6 m (20 - 24 inches) away from our garage to a depth of approximately 1.50 - 1.80 m (59 - 71 inches). Our garage is built on strip foundations. I don’t know the exact depth of these, but I assume they extend to a maximum of 80 cm (31 inches). No underpinning, shoring, or battering/sloping was done during the excavation. About 0.5 m (20 inches) from our garage, the ground is now excavated straight down to at least 1.50 m (59 inches) depth.
According to my understanding of standards like DIN 4123, if no additional underpinning measures are taken, excavation up to 2 m (6.5 ft) next to the garage should only go to a maximum of 50 cm (20 inches) above the foundation base, which is about 30 cm (12 inches) deep. Only beyond 2 m (6.5 ft) distance can excavation be carried out deeper with a proper slope or batter. Otherwise, appropriate section-by-section underpinning should be carried out professionally.
Are my concerns about the structural stability of the garage foundations justified, or am I mistaken? We have already spoken with the neighbors, but they rely on their contractor. If my concerns are valid, what would be reasonable next steps I can take to ensure the stability of the garage? The location is the federal state of Hesse.
I would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer here.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
According to the description, the garage should have already settled.... and to an extent visible to the naked eye.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
R
Ratsuchender2515 Sep 2025 20:18Thank you very much for all the really helpful answers!
Update:
Regarding the questions about the foundations: The garage consists of several precast concrete elements resting on strip foundations. The strip foundations run parallel to the street, each perpendicular to the edge of the excavation. This probably prevented more serious damage.
We have documented the previously completely crack-free condition of the garage with numerous photos. We will also use a rotary laser level to mark reference points. Is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves in case the soil beneath the foundations has loosened and settlement cracks appear within one or two years?
Update:
- We called the building authority this morning and explained the situation. Around midday, someone came directly to the site and stopped construction.
- The excavation had to be refilled and compacted up to approximately the underside of the foundations.
- Now a structural engineer needs to calculate everything and create a plan for how to properly carry out the work.
Regarding the questions about the foundations: The garage consists of several precast concrete elements resting on strip foundations. The strip foundations run parallel to the street, each perpendicular to the edge of the excavation. This probably prevented more serious damage.
We have documented the previously completely crack-free condition of the garage with numerous photos. We will also use a rotary laser level to mark reference points. Is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves in case the soil beneath the foundations has loosened and settlement cracks appear within one or two years?
R
Ratsuchender2515 Sep 2025 20:27Pools are apparently allowed to be built within the setback areas in Hesse as long as they do not extend more than 1 m (3.3 ft) above ground level, as someone has already mentioned here.
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Gerddieter15 Sep 2025 20:38Ratsuchender25 schrieb:
Pools are apparently allowed to be built within the setback areas in Hessen as long as they do not protrude more than 1 m (3.3 ft) above ground level, as someone already mentioned here.Specifically – I don’t understand what could be appealing about a pool that is built right up against the neighbor’s garage wall...N
nordanney15 Sep 2025 20:46Ratsuchender25 schrieb:
We called the building authority this morning to explain the situation. Around midday, someone came by and shut down the construction site. The authority also views this matter very critically. They are handling it accordingly. Thumbs up
Went really well!
What I’m curious about: what did the neighbors say about this? Did they ever mention what they have planned? Size of the pool, etc.?
Maybe it’s the ideal windbreak? It might also be that the garage wall is visually appealing and provides a nice backdrop, especially if grasses are planted to the left and right. I would never rule out a nice appearance just because something is next to a house or garage wall. I’d rather look at a well-maintained, calm surface than patchy greenery from the neighbor, behind which there’s a huge trampoline.
What I’m curious about: what did the neighbors say about this? Did they ever mention what they have planned? Size of the pool, etc.?
Gerddieter schrieb:
Specifically – I don’t understand what’s nice about a pool that’s right up against the neighbor’s garage wall...
Maybe it’s the ideal windbreak? It might also be that the garage wall is visually appealing and provides a nice backdrop, especially if grasses are planted to the left and right. I would never rule out a nice appearance just because something is next to a house or garage wall. I’d rather look at a well-maintained, calm surface than patchy greenery from the neighbor, behind which there’s a huge trampoline.
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