Civil engineer contradicts structural engineer

Hello,

we now have the following "conflict" to resolve. We are building a 14x14.5m bungalow. The soil survey states the following layers: Layer 1: topsoil 20cm Layer 2: sand, highly silty, soft to stiff, gray-brown Layer 3: sand, highly silty, humus, soft to stiff, dark brown, black-brown Layer 4: sand, low silt content, partly silty, medium dense, ...

Recommendation: remove 1 to 1.1m and refill compacted with gravel or similar.

Now, a civil engineer, who has our plans, pointed out that the gentleman naturally did not know about our filling plans. We actually need to fill an average of 1m. He said it would be sufficient to remove just the topsoil (possibly a few centimeters of layer 2) to achieve a 1.4m gravel layer under the floor slab. If necessary, the floor slab could be made thicker and the reinforcement adjusted. That would save us money.

Our structural engineer, however, says that everything must be removed, as recommended in the soil survey.

Now we are uncertain. Both are experts. We will contact other civil engineers and see what they say.

But there is a lot of money involved here. Has anyone had experience with a case like this?

The foundation recommendation is stated in the soil report. You should follow it.

However, it was cut down without knowing about the severe embankment requirements. The civil engineer said that would be sufficient. He does not make such a statement without reason, especially since he was highly recommended to me by several experts.

But it was felled without knowing about the severe fill requirements.

And why didn't you pass the information on to the geologist?

If you ultimately disregard the soil report, you might as well have saved the money for it.

If I were you, I would now get an adjusted soil report. It could be that the groundworker is right, but it could also backfire. Ultimately, you will live in the house, not him. If you build according to the soil report, you are also covered for all eventualities in case something does settle in the end.

We had the appraisal done before the purchase. At that time, we knew nothing about the restrictions. The construction company had the appraisal. Plus the [upfill documents]. Now I don't know how easy the structural engineer is making it. Whether he bluntly accepts the appraisal or has also thought it through.

Maybe I'll call the guy who prepared the appraisal.

Just give us a quick call. Our expert was very nice and went through all the options with me again.