Hello everyone,
we are about to purchase a plot of land and are wondering if we might be buying into a problematic situation.
Our future plot is located in a newly developing residential area. Currently, the infrastructure work is underway, and the sewage gullies have already been installed. When the gullies were put in, we noticed that our entire plot area (approximately 27 x 24.5 meters, 663 m² (7,130 ft²)) is about 40 cm (16 inches) below the future street level. Our concern is whether we will have to raise the entire plot by 40 cm (16 inches). Is this really necessary, or does the fill only need to be applied beneath the foundation slab? The planned building footprint is around 160 m² (1,722 ft²).
To clarify, I’m attaching some pictures of the current situation. The gully is located in what will be our driveway, and the green area is the future plot, adjacent to the neighboring house.
What preparatory work would need to be done in this case, and what kind of costs might one expect?
Best regards,
Timo3092
we are about to purchase a plot of land and are wondering if we might be buying into a problematic situation.
Our future plot is located in a newly developing residential area. Currently, the infrastructure work is underway, and the sewage gullies have already been installed. When the gullies were put in, we noticed that our entire plot area (approximately 27 x 24.5 meters, 663 m² (7,130 ft²)) is about 40 cm (16 inches) below the future street level. Our concern is whether we will have to raise the entire plot by 40 cm (16 inches). Is this really necessary, or does the fill only need to be applied beneath the foundation slab? The planned building footprint is around 160 m² (1,722 ft²).
To clarify, I’m attaching some pictures of the current situation. The gully is located in what will be our driveway, and the green area is the future plot, adjacent to the neighboring house.
What preparatory work would need to be done in this case, and what kind of costs might one expect?
Best regards,
Timo3092
I believe there are sometimes regulations in the development plan regarding how far above or below the future street level the height of the house is allowed to be? Or am I mistaken?
I think even if you had to add 40cm (15.7 inches) of fill, it probably wouldn’t become financially untenable.
I think even if you had to add 40cm (15.7 inches) of fill, it probably wouldn’t become financially untenable.
kati1337 schrieb:
I think there are sometimes regulations in the development plan about how far above or below the future street level the height of the house is allowed to be? Or am I mistaken?
I believe even if you had to fill in 40cm (16 inches), it probably wouldn’t become a bottomless pit financially. These usually apply to the finished floor level of the ground floor and are often in the range of 50cm (20 inches) above the street centerline (manhole cover on the finished street).
Filling in is inexpensive, hauling away material (to a landfill) is costly.
As previous contributors have mentioned, there is no need to worry about the possibility of having to add fill material.
Depending on the type of house construction and local zoning or development regulations (building permit / planning permission), this can even work to your advantage! The costly part of earthworks and site preparation is usually the disposal of excess soil, so in this case, you might actually benefit from the lower existing ground level.
Even if you theoretically had to raise the entire plot, it would only cost you a few thousand euros (depending on the material). However, keep in mind that excavation will occur for basements or foundations anyway, and this soil can be reused or redistributed on site. Also, some neighbors might be happy to let you use their clean excavated soil on your property.
In any case, I would view the situation more positively than negatively, and I would definitely build above street level.
Depending on the type of house construction and local zoning or development regulations (building permit / planning permission), this can even work to your advantage! The costly part of earthworks and site preparation is usually the disposal of excess soil, so in this case, you might actually benefit from the lower existing ground level.
Even if you theoretically had to raise the entire plot, it would only cost you a few thousand euros (depending on the material). However, keep in mind that excavation will occur for basements or foundations anyway, and this soil can be reused or redistributed on site. Also, some neighbors might be happy to let you use their clean excavated soil on your property.
In any case, I would view the situation more positively than negatively, and I would definitely build above street level.
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