Construction Start – Excavation, Foundation, and Sewer Connection

After some intensive discussions and offers from three excavation companies, we were able to award the contract for the earthworks to one of them. On April 22, the time had finally come: the first construction machines arrived, marking the official start of our building project.

The excavators removed several cubic meters of soil and temporarily stored it directly on the site. At that point, it was still unclear whether a timber shoring would be necessary to prevent the slope from sliding. Fortunately, thanks to the stable soil layers, it was not required, sparing us additional costs of around €6,000.

The geotechnical engineer inspected the bottom of the excavation pit without any objections. Immediately afterward, the excavators filled the pit with a one-meter-thick layer of crushed stone. This so-called foundation cushion provides the stable base for the concrete slab that will be laid on top.

Portable toilet, crane, and sewer pipes: On May 5, the shell construction company began setting up the construction site. Since the construction crane is located on a plot across the street, the builders prepared the ground there. They removed soil and replaced it with compacted gravel – because, as everyone knows: crane pads must be compacted.

Just in time for the start of construction, the utility company and the municipality provided temporary electricity and water. The shell construction company is currently connecting the property to the sewer system and laying wastewater pipes for rainwater.

Costs for Excavation and Soil Replacement

The final costs from the excavation company (excluding additional earthworks for sewer construction, which are being handled by the shell construction company) are as follows: