Earthworks, ancillary facilities (terrace & driveway)?

The earthworks on our property are due. The developer plans an earthwork depth of approximately 1.50 m (peat layer) for the house.

How is it with the ancillary facilities such as the driveway and terrace?

That would be about 200 sqm for us. Do we also have to have them excavated that deep?

The developer has given us an offer for the ancillary facilities of about €10,000.
Topsoil replacement 286 cubic meters
Filling sand installation (1.70m) 324 cubic meters

Hello,

The earthworks on our property are upcoming. The developer plans for the earthworks at the house to reach a depth of approx. 1.50 m (peat layer).

What does the soil report say?

Best regards from the Rhineland

Hello,

In the soil survey, there is a peat layer up to about 1.50 m deep. The house will also be excavated and filled up to this depth.

The problem with peat is that - unless very careful foundation work is done - settlement cracks will appear over the years. This soil condition is, for example, also one reason why it can be cheaper to build with a basement. However, depending on the depth of the existing peat, a pile foundation may be required, which becomes very expensive. The costs are in the range of TEUR 25-40.

In your case, obvious soil replacement is sufficient, as the peat is presumably not found in deeper layers, and the underlying soil can be assumed to be load-bearing. Now peat has the unpleasant characteristic that you can get stuck with your vehicle; also your ancillary facility - garage? - should remain in place; so it must be securely founded.

Therefore, I do not see how you can avoid the additional foundation costs for the access road and ancillary facility. However, you can ask another civil engineer to submit an offer; perhaps you can save a few euros here and there. You will not get by completely without soil replacement; not even for the access road/ancillary facility.

Rhenish regards