ᐅ Plot with a slope. Planning to build a bungalow with a double garage.
Created on: 1 Feb 2017 12:20
2
2000youandme2
2000youandme1 Feb 2017 12:20Hello forum members,
I own a sloped plot of land where I plan to build a bungalow with a double garage.
The construction contract has already been signed with a building company.
In the contract documents, the double garage is directly attached to the house, and the contract states: "The bungalow will be founded on a slab-on-grade with strip footings or approximately an 80 cm (31 inch) gravel cushion foundation to compensate for the slope of the site."
Now the plot has been leveled. The slope measures approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) in total. After that, I was sent a new drawing showing the garage detached from the bungalow, with a walkway between the garage and the house, and the house positioned lower down the slope. I informed the builder that I want the original design as planned from the beginning, with the garage and bungalow connected and at the same height. However, the company was not happy with this. Now I have received a work order stating “install 175 cubic meters (6,183 cubic feet) of compactable gravel base layer beneath the footing as additional slope compensation” at a gross price of 7,392 euros, which I am supposed to sign.
Am I required to cover the cost for the gravel?
The contract drawing shows the garage attached to the house, and the land has always had this slope. Approximately 80 cm (31 inches) is given as an estimate and shouldn’t mean a maximum of 80 cm, right? From the start, I informed the company that the slope of the plot is about 2 meters (6.6 feet).
I would greatly appreciate your opinions.
Kind regards
I own a sloped plot of land where I plan to build a bungalow with a double garage.
The construction contract has already been signed with a building company.
In the contract documents, the double garage is directly attached to the house, and the contract states: "The bungalow will be founded on a slab-on-grade with strip footings or approximately an 80 cm (31 inch) gravel cushion foundation to compensate for the slope of the site."
Now the plot has been leveled. The slope measures approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) in total. After that, I was sent a new drawing showing the garage detached from the bungalow, with a walkway between the garage and the house, and the house positioned lower down the slope. I informed the builder that I want the original design as planned from the beginning, with the garage and bungalow connected and at the same height. However, the company was not happy with this. Now I have received a work order stating “install 175 cubic meters (6,183 cubic feet) of compactable gravel base layer beneath the footing as additional slope compensation” at a gross price of 7,392 euros, which I am supposed to sign.
Am I required to cover the cost for the gravel?
The contract drawing shows the garage attached to the house, and the land has always had this slope. Approximately 80 cm (31 inches) is given as an estimate and shouldn’t mean a maximum of 80 cm, right? From the start, I informed the company that the slope of the plot is about 2 meters (6.6 feet).
I would greatly appreciate your opinions.
Kind regards
P
Peanuts741 Feb 2017 12:27Ah, did it work out?
Didn't the general contractor inspect the plot?
Didn't the general contractor inspect the plot?
Basically, it can happen that the earthworks need to be more extensive than stated and agreed upon in the contract. Naturally, additional work under the earthworks section will be required, which must be paid for by the client, even if the general contractor is the client under the contract. Therefore, it is advisable to allow a generous contingency for earthworks, especially on sloped sites.
Best regards
Best regards
This is how I understand it. In the construction description, he offered and calculated 80cm (31.5 inches) of gravel bedding. Now he realizes he needs significantly more. That’s steeper. He’s trying to salvage the situation. If we place the garage at the front and the house at the back, I can manage with the calculated amount of gravel roughly. Now you say: I don’t want that. He says: then it will cost more.
Are you not communicating with each other?
Are you not communicating with each other?
P
Peanuts741 Feb 2017 13:20So the question would be what is specified in the contract regarding earthworks.
In general, the builder cannot change the plan in a way that originally connected house and garage, possibly with a passage, are suddenly completely separated.
However, the price seems generally reasonable, as it involves around 300 tons of gravel plus installation.
In general, the builder cannot change the plan in a way that originally connected house and garage, possibly with a passage, are suddenly completely separated.
However, the price seems generally reasonable, as it involves around 300 tons of gravel plus installation.
2
2000youandme1 Feb 2017 17:10The general contractor did not inspect the plot beforehand. However, he has been aware of the 2-meter (6.6 feet) slope since the first meeting. We even discussed it on the day the contract was signed.
His employee told me over the phone that the reason for the new version was that the house would not look good if built so high, as it would then appear to be "floating." I then told her that I unfortunately did not share that opinion and would prefer the original plan. After that, I spoke with the general contractor. He said that with the original plan, "small fences and walls" would be needed to support the structure, and from his side, the gravel (at his expense) would not be a big issue. He then said he would send me a cost breakdown for the additional expenses, but now I am receiving an order form for gravel that I am supposed to pay for. That is why I have turned to you. I would like to know whether I am responsible for paying for the gravel required for this house construction, which is also part of the contract. The contract states "approx. 80 cm (31.5 inches)," not a maximum. And the general contractor has known from the beginning about the 2-meter (6.6 feet) slope.
His employee told me over the phone that the reason for the new version was that the house would not look good if built so high, as it would then appear to be "floating." I then told her that I unfortunately did not share that opinion and would prefer the original plan. After that, I spoke with the general contractor. He said that with the original plan, "small fences and walls" would be needed to support the structure, and from his side, the gravel (at his expense) would not be a big issue. He then said he would send me a cost breakdown for the additional expenses, but now I am receiving an order form for gravel that I am supposed to pay for. That is why I have turned to you. I would like to know whether I am responsible for paying for the gravel required for this house construction, which is also part of the contract. The contract states "approx. 80 cm (31.5 inches)," not a maximum. And the general contractor has known from the beginning about the 2-meter (6.6 feet) slope.
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