ᐅ Increase in Excavated Soil Volume – How Much Is Allowable?
Created on: 12 Jun 2022 14:32
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TraumhausHH22T
TraumhausHH2212 Jun 2022 14:32Hello forum!
Our earthworks are now complete, and the final invoice has arrived.
According to the weighbridge tickets, the actual amount of soil excavation and removal is about 12% higher than quoted/contracted, and around 50% higher for backfilling the work area! Do we have to accept this, or are there legal limits for such overruns?
Thanks for your feedback!
Our earthworks are now complete, and the final invoice has arrived.
According to the weighbridge tickets, the actual amount of soil excavation and removal is about 12% higher than quoted/contracted, and around 50% higher for backfilling the work area! Do we have to accept this, or are there legal limits for such overruns?
Thanks for your feedback!
T
TraumhausHH2213 Jun 2022 10:00No, there were no complications or anything like that. I haven’t joined the discussion yet; I just wanted to find out beforehand what options I have. What did you do?
In my case, it was only about the work and bringing in new soil; the removal was done at the very end by a subcontracted excavation contractor I hired myself.
I had already announced additional costs for soil replacement compared to the 30cm (12 inches) stated in the scope of work. According to the geotechnical report, 70cm (28 inches) had to be replaced, meaning I had to pay for an extra 40cm (16 inches). I roughly calculated this and came to an amount that was bearable. Then suddenly, 1 meter (39 inches) had to be replaced because a humus layer was unevenly distributed in the building area and therefore the full 1 meter (39 inches) had to be replaced after all. I recalculated and gritted my teeth.
The final invoice was 50% higher than my initial rough estimate and still 25-30% higher than the second calculation.
The delivery notes provided were not plausible and even showed more material delivered. At that point, I sent over my calculations and asked why it was more expensive now.
The site manager then broke down the costs and explained that not only was the excavation depth filled, but also an additional 20cm (8 inches) was added on top.
That was reasonable, even though it was not clear to me beforehand and nobody had mentioned it. The delivery notes still didn’t quite match up, but I accepted the explanation that the final grading (fine grading) was actually higher than the surrounding terrain at that time.
So, just ask questions and request a detailed breakdown. Of course, this is easier if you have the offer in unit prices beforehand and not just a lump sum.
I had already announced additional costs for soil replacement compared to the 30cm (12 inches) stated in the scope of work. According to the geotechnical report, 70cm (28 inches) had to be replaced, meaning I had to pay for an extra 40cm (16 inches). I roughly calculated this and came to an amount that was bearable. Then suddenly, 1 meter (39 inches) had to be replaced because a humus layer was unevenly distributed in the building area and therefore the full 1 meter (39 inches) had to be replaced after all. I recalculated and gritted my teeth.
The final invoice was 50% higher than my initial rough estimate and still 25-30% higher than the second calculation.
The delivery notes provided were not plausible and even showed more material delivered. At that point, I sent over my calculations and asked why it was more expensive now.
The site manager then broke down the costs and explained that not only was the excavation depth filled, but also an additional 20cm (8 inches) was added on top.
That was reasonable, even though it was not clear to me beforehand and nobody had mentioned it. The delivery notes still didn’t quite match up, but I accepted the explanation that the final grading (fine grading) was actually higher than the surrounding terrain at that time.
So, just ask questions and request a detailed breakdown. Of course, this is easier if you have the offer in unit prices beforehand and not just a lump sum.