Layer water / Surface water - what now?!

Hello Christopher,

but it is completely pointless to request a soil survey if I am going to buy the plot anyway. With most house providers, a soil survey is included when the contract is concluded, right?

It is by no means included in the scope of services of all providers; with prefabricated house providers you will mostly be looking for it in vain, and not all solid house providers offer it as standard either.

If at all, it would only be helpful if I had the survey before buying the plot.

Correct, so your "risk" is the €1,000.00 for a soil survey, if your preferred provider (ask whether they even offer it) does not agree to an equivalent discount and provided they even offer it in the first place.

But again, you want to build without a basement, so where is your problem?

Best regards

Hello building expert,

I also don’t know where my problem lies. Sometimes I’m just overly cautious. Especially with moisture, all alarm bells go off.

You are right, I just looked at the construction description again. It says that although a free inspection of the property is included to better assess the specific costs, "a possibly necessary geological soil analysis is not included."

I spoke with the realtor again today and improved our offer a bit. Let’s see...

Best regards

Hello,

I have since given up on the idea of requesting a soil survey. We are not building a basement and will be constructing on a slab. The plot is 850m² in size and therefore offers enough space for a large garage with an adjacent storage room. That should be enough for us (hopefully).

I already have some documents regarding the plot. Since these are documents that I, as a layperson, can hardly interpret, I want to briefly list them here and ask for your opinion. Especially with regard to documents that might still be missing and are absolutely necessary.

I have

- an excerpt from the soil value map (50/W)
According to the broker's information, this clearly shows that the square meter in this area is supposed to cost 50 euros. The seller has already lowered it to 45 euros on his own.

- and plans showing the connections for wastewater, drinking water, gas, low-voltage electricity, and street lighting electricity.
According to the broker, the plot is fully developed. This is also stated in the exposé. However, I unfortunately cannot interpret the plans.

I do not yet have any documents indicating how construction must be carried out there. The exposé says "like neighboring development." I (still) do not have a development plan. It is not a new development area but a building gap in the village. There is also no sketch showing the exact dimensions of the plot. At least I do not have one. Originally, it was a very large plot. The seller divided it. The other half has already been sold and built on. Now he wants to sell the other half as well.

What do you think about this? Is all this usual?

Best regards

Chris.

Hello,

I have long since abandoned the idea of requesting a soil survey. We are not building a cellar and are founding on a slab.

I am not writing so much and in such detail here because I am bored - it would be nice if you would also read it.

I have explained to you how groundwater behaves and that it does not affect you as long as you are building on a slab foundation and your property is not on a slope; with the latter, groundwater is "normal." However, this in no way means that you can/should do without a soil survey.

What is a soil survey needed for?

For every building! Soil investigations fundamentally serve to assess the subsoil in terms of its suitability as a building ground and the expected interactions between soil and structure. Essentially, a qualified soil survey provides information on:

[*]Soil composition and soil mechanical properties of the existing earth materials (bearing capacity, sensitivity to settlement, etc.)
[*]Soil type and soil class
[*]Groundwater occurrence (long-term high level, pressing water, concrete aggressiveness, etc.)
[*]Need for soil improvement (soil replacement, compaction, etc.)
[*]Key values for the type and dimensioning of foundations
[*]Requirements for the foundation of a building
[*]Infiltration capacity of surface water
[*]Assignment to earthquake zones

All risks arising from the building ground are the responsibility of the builder and are not transferable. This is part of every architect’s duty to inform!

According to the broker's information, the property is fully developed. That is also stated in the exposé. Unfortunately, I cannot interpret the plans.

Fully developed only means that the supply lines lie "at" the property - usually in the street; no more and no less. Development costs therefore still apply.

I do not yet have documents showing how building must be done there. The exposé says "like neighboring buildings" ... The other half has already been sold and developed. Now he also wants to sell the other half.

Accordingly, this is a development according to § 34; you have to align yourself with the already built neighboring development regarding roof pitch, ridge and/or eave height, and probably also building site boundaries.

Kind regards

Hello,

I read your posts very carefully and I am glad that you are helping me. I apparently misinterpreted your statement.

I could also contact the real estate agent and suggest that I sign a preliminary contract (legally not binding) and have a soil survey carried out, paying the costs myself. The seller really can't refuse that. Or will they dig up half the garden? And the geologist who prepares it will then explain the report to me?

Have a nice evening.

Chris.

Hello,

I could also contact the real estate agent and suggest that I sign a preliminary contract (not legally binding)

?

and have a soil survey done and cover the costs for it. The seller really can’t refuse that. Or do they dig up half the garden? And does the geologist who does it then explain the report to me?

No, the geologist drills at 2 to max. 4 points within the building area and yes, he will also explain the results to you.

Kind regards