ᐅ Concrete slab contractor, city inspection report
Created on: 24 Mar 2012 18:33
K
Kira94Kira94 schrieb:
Hello everyone,
our house needs to be built on piles (depth 3.5–4 meters (11.5–13 feet)). No problem, we knew this beforehand. The seller from the prefabricated house company said at the time of purchase that €2,000–3,000 (around $2,300–3,400) is a reasonable amount because the excavator would already be on site and for that money you get a lot of concrete. Now the foundation slab contractor (construction company = partner) says that this is definitely not possible at that price. We have now requested a concrete quote because recently figures in the range of €7,000–10,000 (around $8,000–11,500) have been mentioned. We are unsure what would be a fair price for a slab with an area of 78 sqm (840 sq ft) plus a 50 sqm (540 sq ft) garage. He also wants to reinforce the slab somewhat—but by how much? We also don’t know if 9 or 12 piles including the garage will be enough, as that number is planned for our timber-frame house.
Can anyone give us advice or tell us what costs are reasonable?
Best regards, sonne
We agreed with the foundation slab contractor on €10,000 (about $11,500) for a planned depth of 4 meters (13 feet).
A few more details about the construction site: A company used to operate on this land years ago. The city purchased these old buildings, demolished them, and developed building plots.
All assessments were carried out by the city, which confirmed that all hazardous substances found in the soil were removed and properly disposed of. Therefore, there was no cause for concern, especially since the environmental authority conducted inspections and issued clearance. We knew that the soil had been moved and filled in, which is why the plan was to build on piles.
Now to the disaster: When digging the first pile, after 5 meters (16 feet) there was still no solid ground in sight, and here is the worst part—there was a large amount of contaminated soil, which we suspect is polluted with heating oil.
The city, police, district office, and our lawyer were immediately involved. The construction site is now on hold; analyses and investigations will follow. After just one day, approximately 40–50 liters (10–13 gallons) of liquid had accumulated at the bottom of the pit. The area smells strongly of contamination. Neighbors who have already built their houses are now very unsettled about what might be under their own properties.
Who is responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are taken, and most importantly, who is liable and will cover the costs of the soil remediation?
M
Micha&Dany27 Mar 2012 05:55Hello
@Kira:
That sounds pretty good for you! Congratulations! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be resolved quickly now. But please keep us updated on what happens next 🙂
@Der Da:
Then I must have had a very good inspector: Mine first asked if we were planning to build with geothermal energy – in that case, they would have drilled deeper. Then he also mentioned on his own that they would need to drill deeper if they didn’t find undisturbed soil within the planned 5 m (16 feet). Of course, that would have cost a bit more, but without drilling deeper, the soil report would be meaningless and the money wasted...
Luckily, my results were exactly as expected 😀
Best regards
Micha 😎
@Kira:
That sounds pretty good for you! Congratulations! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be resolved quickly now. But please keep us updated on what happens next 🙂
@Der Da:
Then I must have had a very good inspector: Mine first asked if we were planning to build with geothermal energy – in that case, they would have drilled deeper. Then he also mentioned on his own that they would need to drill deeper if they didn’t find undisturbed soil within the planned 5 m (16 feet). Of course, that would have cost a bit more, but without drilling deeper, the soil report would be meaningless and the money wasted...
Luckily, my results were exactly as expected 😀
Best regards
Micha 😎
Sure, I will do it!
We are now having soil and media analyses carried out again by an independent geologist. The city has put the fox in charge of the henhouse by hiring the same geologist who prepared the original report and confirmed there were no concerns. I find that very suspicious, and that is why we need a second opinion. Furthermore, the mayor has shifted the responsibility and referred to the pending results instead of personally addressing the issue and taking control, as we had expected—quite the opposite, actually. I don’t think he is completely honest, and I cannot rule out corrupt collusion at that time. But we will see how things develop. In the worst case, we will rescind the purchase contract due to this serious defect, and they can do whatever they want with their oil landfill!
We are now having soil and media analyses carried out again by an independent geologist. The city has put the fox in charge of the henhouse by hiring the same geologist who prepared the original report and confirmed there were no concerns. I find that very suspicious, and that is why we need a second opinion. Furthermore, the mayor has shifted the responsibility and referred to the pending results instead of personally addressing the issue and taking control, as we had expected—quite the opposite, actually. I don’t think he is completely honest, and I cannot rule out corrupt collusion at that time. But we will see how things develop. In the worst case, we will rescind the purchase contract due to this serious defect, and they can do whatever they want with their oil landfill!
B
Bauexperte27 Mar 2012 12:47Hello,
Keep in mind that if this case goes to court, an additional expert appointed by the court will be commissioned. Your counter-expert report will initially have no evidential value.
Unfortunately, this is not as uncommon as you might think. I could name many properties from the real estate portfolio of a chemical company; reports, certificates of harmlessness – everything is available. But I have good contacts within the corporation and therefore know that not everything that glitters is gold 😡
What speaks against putting this plan into action now, instead of wasting valuable energy – like the Hornberger shooting episode?
Such disputes – starting with a counter-expert report, through evidence preservation proceedings, up to the final outcome – can take many months or even years.
Best regards
Kira94 schrieb:
We are now having an independent geologist conduct soil and medium analyses again.
Keep in mind that if this case goes to court, an additional expert appointed by the court will be commissioned. Your counter-expert report will initially have no evidential value.
Kira94 schrieb:
Because the city appointed the geologist who already prepared the original report and confirmed the harmlessness in that report. I find that very suspicious, which is why we need a second opinion.
Unfortunately, this is not as uncommon as you might think. I could name many properties from the real estate portfolio of a chemical company; reports, certificates of harmlessness – everything is available. But I have good contacts within the corporation and therefore know that not everything that glitters is gold 😡
Kira94 schrieb:
But we will see how it goes. In the worst case, we will rescind the purchase contract due to this serious defect, and they can do whatever they want with their oil landfill!!!!!
What speaks against putting this plan into action now, instead of wasting valuable energy – like the Hornberger shooting episode?
Such disputes – starting with a counter-expert report, through evidence preservation proceedings, up to the final outcome – can take many months or even years.
Best regards
Hello.
Since yesterday, we know that the contamination involves benzene compounds and that they exceed the limit value by a factor of 20. Today, six boreholes are being drilled to narrow down the contamination source. If necessary, additional boreholes will be made. This is being supervised by the district authority. The city commissioned the work. The cost is nearly 10,000 euros. A response was made within three days, and we are optimistic that this pace will continue. It is clear that the contamination must be removed as quickly as possible, and the environmental agency is ensuring this. Since the city has issued the order, this is already a concession.
Tomorrow, we will have an approximate idea of the contaminated radius.
We want to wait a little longer to see the results and test how cooperative the city is. If this does not meet our expectations, plan B will be implemented, meaning we will modify the contract.
Since yesterday, we know that the contamination involves benzene compounds and that they exceed the limit value by a factor of 20. Today, six boreholes are being drilled to narrow down the contamination source. If necessary, additional boreholes will be made. This is being supervised by the district authority. The city commissioned the work. The cost is nearly 10,000 euros. A response was made within three days, and we are optimistic that this pace will continue. It is clear that the contamination must be removed as quickly as possible, and the environmental agency is ensuring this. Since the city has issued the order, this is already a concession.
Tomorrow, we will have an approximate idea of the contaminated radius.
We want to wait a little longer to see the results and test how cooperative the city is. If this does not meet our expectations, plan B will be implemented, meaning we will modify the contract.
Well, if something like that happens, there isn’t much you can do: you either hope that the contamination is deep enough or you have to replace all the soil around the house.
You can completely forget about using cisterns, rainwater harvesting, and growing vegetables. And you have to hope that the benzene compounds, which are partly volatile, don’t evaporate. That can be life-threatening.
During my chemistry studies, I dealt with benzene compounds quite often, and we had to follow many safety regulations. Disposal, in particular, was always a challenge.
You can completely forget about using cisterns, rainwater harvesting, and growing vegetables. And you have to hope that the benzene compounds, which are partly volatile, don’t evaporate. That can be life-threatening.
During my chemistry studies, I dealt with benzene compounds quite often, and we had to follow many safety regulations. Disposal, in particular, was always a challenge.