Cost planning for earthworks

Lesson 1: Nobody cares about anything! If you have the feeling somewhere that something is unplanned or uncoordinated, then it is. Always ask questions, always force a clarification! Even if your site manager builds 100 houses a year, he will always have things that are not planned or not discussed. You really are the only one you can rely on during the construction. And no one else will worry about it!

Unfortunately, all this sounds very negative and much more pessimistic than how one always imagined "building a little house." But in the end, you are absolutely right! Nobody will have to live in the house except us, and that is how we are treated.

But it wasn’t meant to be that naïve either. First, the soil surveyor has to go to the site, then the civil engineer (who in my case is more of a "vertical builder"...) and then the house manufacturer may carry out the planning for the foundation slab. That still has to be coordinated with the utility companies, who have their own civil engineers to bring us (waste) water and electricity to the house. That will definitely be fun!

Unfortunately, everything sounds very negative and clearly more pessimistic than one always imagined "building the little house." But ultimately, you are absolutely right! No one will have to live in the house except us, and that's how they treat us.

But it wasn't meant to be that naive either. First, the soil surveyor has to go to the property, then the civil engineer (who in my case is more of a "structural engineer"...) and then the house manufacturer may carry out the planning for the foundation slab. This also has to be coordinated with the utility providers, who have their own civil engineers to bring us (waste)water and electricity to the house. That will definitely be fun!

Although the whole thing should not be taken naively or lightly, don’t drive yourself crazy now and don’t see everything in a negative light. You are already thinking about it and taking care of it. In the end, hopefully, you will be able to say that it was easier than expected.

At least for me personally, that was the case, and beforehand, I was also annoyed or worried about many unclear details, especially with surveyors and civil engineers. During and after the execution, it was all "not so bad" and went well or easier than expected.

You also have a reliable partner with Weberhaus, so good conditions have already been created here for them to think along a bit and not leave you completely out in the cold ;)

So, understand the requirements and get your own offers. Then it will work out.

First, the level of the foundation slab is filled, compacted, and fine grading is done.
Then your house builder or his excavators come again, dig out the 80 cm and place it sideways.

Great, so we already agree on something :D That’s how I imagined it too (see above).

There’s nothing you can do about the city’s fee schedule, of course.
I don’t believe a soil survey will cost that much more. Likewise, the surveyor shouldn’t cost that much either...
1. It’s worth comparing
2. Ask the surveyor whether an "official site plan" has been offered or is required! This is often NOT necessary, but it is offered and is significantly more expensive.
I’m basically in your neighborhood and can recommend a very capable and "cost-effective" surveyor from the region.

Exactly, nothing can be done there. But at least you can point out to the customer that such a thing exists. Personally, I didn’t know that because I’ve never dealt with construction before. What’s wrong with the architect advising me to ask about it during the cost calculation? Actually nothing, but he chose simply to name 500 euros, which we then undoubtedly relied on. The same applies to the surveyor. I have already asked surveyors for quotes myself (for which I actually pay my site manager very well), which were indeed somewhat cheaper. But still about 2000 euros above the planned amount. Most of it depends on the standard land value and house size in combination with HOAI and fee schedules, so 0% negotiable. Accordingly, all parties involved could have known here that 3000 euros for the surveying of a single-family home in a relatively expensive large city in NRW will never be enough. By the way, according to the city’s statement, I do need an official site plan, whose price is also fixed (independent of the surveyor). Nevertheless, I’m very grateful for tips. But writing about this here is probably not allowed, right?

A side note: When comparing the offers from the earthworks contractors, pay attention to the unit specifications! Some offer in tons, others in cubic meters or mixed… Misunderstandings or "pitfalls" can arise here.
Your mentioned 22 EUR sounds reasonable/inexpensive. Therefore, I really counted on "worst case," but I think that for filling (significantly) less should be charged in the mixed calculation.

By the way: How is the drainage of the rainwater carried out? Sewer or on the property (+ soakaway)?

I hope you’re right! As I said, if an earthworks contractor gives me an offer within the budget (or now slightly above), I’ll take it immediately. I just want to be sure I won’t end up paying 20 or 30,000 euros more in the end.

The drainage will take place near the surface. For the water from the roof, we have a separate sewer connection that leads to a soakaway outside the new development area. So, additional connection costs are coming up, especially because of the location in the water protection area. For this reason, the sewer must be specially encased.

This still needs to be coordinated with the utility providers, who have their own civil engineers to bring us (waste)water and electricity to the house. This is definitely going to be fun!

Have the empty conduits for the utility providers installed right away during the civil engineering work. Then you'll have much less trouble with the utility providers. Usually, not everyone digs up the trench again; the first one creates an empty conduit system, and the others use it.

A look at the fee schedule of the city of Duisburg is enough to find out: the permit will cost 1,500 euros. The surveyor also works according to the fee schedule and wants 5,500 euros instead of the calculated 3,000 euros. [...] So far, we have to pay extra everywhere, which simply completely (really completely!) robs us of the anticipation, pride, and currently our sleep.

In cases like this, only careful planning in advance and not relying on estimates helps. That didn’t happen, and the situation is already dire. Still, I would recommend you go through the calculation again as quickly as possible and critically question all items. Simply so that you know how much additional cost will actually come your way and can plan accordingly in case of doubt.

What speaks against the architect pointing out to me to inquire about this as part of the calculation? Actually nothing, but he decided to simply state 500 euros, which we then undoubtedly relied on. The same applies to the surveyor. I have already asked surveyors for quotes myself (for which I actually pay my construction manager very well), which were then somewhat cheaper. But still about 2000 euros above the planned value. Most of it depends on the standard land value and the house size in conjunction with HOAI and fee schedules, so 0% negotiable. Accordingly, all parties could have known here as well that 3000 euros for surveying a single-family house in a relatively expensive NRW major city will never be enough. By the way, I need an official site plan according to the city's statement, the price of which is also fixed (independent of the surveyor). Nevertheless, I am very grateful for tips. Writing about this here is probably not allowed, right?

Basically, you are right that people are often not sufficiently advised/informed. Many variables are indeed difficult to capture in advance, but in the examples given, one could actually point out the circumstances and possible sources of information...

Regarding the "official site plan," I still advise you to check more thoroughly whether this is actually required. I almost don't assume so. According to my information, it is only required (?) if there are contaminated sites and no building plot has yet been formed. Otherwise, it is cheaper without it.

Have the empty conduits for the utilities installed right away during the civil engineering work. That way, you'll have much less trouble with the utility companies. Usually, not every company will reopen the trench; instead, the first one will create an empty conduit system, and the others will use it.

No, as far as I understand, the MSH is included and provided by Weberhaus. It is installed by them during the construction of the foundations or the slab. You probably won't have much trouble with the utility companies themselves, except for scheduling after the house is delivered, etc.