Offer cost for excavation of building pit and canal fabrication

Hello everyone,

Our new building will have the basic dimensions of 11.00 x 8.75m plus a conservatory measuring 3.43 x 2.20m and a bay window measuring 1.00 x 3.08m.

We have now received an offer for the excavation of the foundation pit + [Kanalanfertigung] (see attachment) and are somewhat surprised by the exorbitant amount.
What do you think? Are these reasonable costs or not?

Regards,

Michaela

Hello,
we have just received our final invoice for our earthworks. The pure earthworks are okay. The sewer works are definitely too expensive. An example:
Wastewater pipe DN 100 supply and installation including fittings approx. €42 net.
Transfer shaft DN 1000 with all work: €750 net

Regards

A. Müller-Wissmann

48,000 € is already a hefty amount for creating the excavation pit with leveling, drainage, and digging.

At the moment, the order books of craft businesses are quite well filled, which is why some offers are not calculable from a pricing perspective. I have recently noticed discrepancies of up to 150% for the same work when making inquiries. In 2012, the order situation will be calmer, and then the offers will also be more in line with the market.

The following tips for disposing of the excavation:
- Offer the excavation via soil exchanges on the internet. Then possibly only half of the transport costs will apply.
- In advance, inquire with the responsible landfill etc. whether the excavation from your construction site can be disposed of without problems. There are regions where even normal earth excavation cannot be disposed of.
- Check the removals of the construction site excavation with delivery notes and weighings, and bill according to the receipts. Possibly commission the haulier yourself.

Regards
T.H.

Hello everyone,

Thank you already for your tips!

Unfortunately, we definitely have clay soil, which is why I already thought it would probably be a bit more expensive, but 48000 still seemed somehow too high to me.

Supposedly the next landfill is over 25km away from the construction site, and that's why the disposal is probably so expensive...

We will see what can still be done about the price.

Regards,

Michaela

Hello Michaela,

Supposedly, the next landfill is over 25km away from the construction site, and that's why the disposal is probably so expensive...

This statement is correct as such, but the price quoted is still a "fair gulp from the bottle"... not only concerning the replacement of the soil and even by Bavarian standards!

We'll see what can be done about the price.

You should definitely do that. From whom is this cost estimate, from your main contractor/general contractor or did you request the costs from an external civil engineer?

Best regards

Above all, check what he excavates and supposedly hauls away. In the offer, he excavates 108 sqm of topsoil and sets it aside. Then another 700 sqm of clay soil, but wants to haul away 900 sqm. Those are already significant differences in the prices. So watch out like a lynx.

Regards Bromi