Statics - Structural Stability Proof

Hello everyone,

first of all: for our construction project, we have to build a retaining wall next to the neighbors.

When awarding the contract to the structural engineer, this was completely known and discussed. He then almost tripled the costs for the structural analysis with reference to a "complex and difficult construction project." That was in May of this year. He received the requested soil survey in June and hasn't done anything since then. In the offer, he writes that he will, among other things, calculate/confirm the structural stability (not specified in detail).

Now – at the end of August, it is said -> The retaining wall must be confirmed by a separate geological structural stability report, which he cannot provide. The retaining wall means that we can found on a normal single-family house foundation.

Timewise, we wanted to start 2 months ago. Without informing us, he contacted the soil surveyor in the background, left us in the dark regarding timing, and forwarded all documents without our consent. In fact, he forced an order on us. At this point, I will set aside the violation of the data protection law.

Now we have to pay an extra 2-3k€ and have a 2-month delay in the start of construction because of him and his dawdling.

Is it correct that a structural engineer cannot provide this report? Can I increase the costs in advance because of this and then have the work left undone? Who bears the additional costs? Has anyone ever had a similar case?

If he wanted money from me for a job that I did not explicitly order, he could wait a long time and I would look for another service provider. Unfortunately, communication is absolutely terrible with many parties involved in house construction.

Otherwise, the costs with another contractor would not change, so you probably won't be able to avoid them. I can only guess what is meant by the "geological stability certificate", but for that the structural engineer alone would really not be the right supplier.

The retaining wall must be confirmed by a separate geological stability verification, which he cannot provide.

If he previously justified the complexity of the work to classify it into a higher fee category, I would expect that he also pays fees for what I would call "sub-engineers" (?). That he selects them freely and independently supplies them with the documents would probably be the correct procedure.

Hi, we also do static calculations, best regards Werner Spann
info@ingenieurleistung-beratung.de
We are located in 94486 Osterhofen

Hi, we also do static calculations, best regards Werner Spann [...] We are located in 94486 Osterhofen

Ohauerha, that's really far away from SH *LOL*