Site Work Costs?

kormak

Got a quote from a guy who came recommended to carry out proper site works on problem site to supply adequate drainage.
He also does the perc test too.
initial phone conversation, from what I described the site was between €14-1600. which seemed a good deal.
He then came out to see the site and advised it would probably be around 2k.
Now today after reviewing all the work involved he now reckons it will be more €3000 to get everything done.
Bit of a set back, especially as we're working within a budget.
Not that I doubt him or anything, he seems genuine enough.
and even offered me the chance to use my own man to carry out all the digging work to keep costs down.
but I just want a second opinion...
site is a little over an acre.
we need to :

refill old perc hole.
kill the grass (too many rocks, etc.. for mowing)
plough it
dig a 70m french drain across the site
redig percolation area
bring in gravel, clay, etc... for drainage
put down mole drains
resow the site
and finally carry out the perc. test

A good lot of work I agree.
Just wondering what people think of the 3k price tag?!

He's very confident he can get the right t's & p values we require,
bit of a gamble how and ever when you're still not guaranteed PP.

Any advice?

stackerman

I'm not expert but IMO that seems like a resonable price. You could poss get 200/400 euro better price, but I honestly think you get what you pay for. At the end of the day if "He's very confident he can get the right t's & p values" and he does, it would be cheap at 5 times the cost. You can budget all you like but I would mean nothing without Planning.

kormak

yeah...
I know the guy that does the digging part fairly well and he was quite generous before when i used him to clear ditches.
so i'm banking he might give me a bit of a deal with the promise of giving him all the foundations/raft type work once planning is received.
still though, there's nothing worse when people's prices jump up and up like that!

is grass killing using chemicals rather than mowing a lot more expensive?

RKQ

Do you own this site?
The price seems ok especially if it includes EPA Soil test report and new lawns.

Why are you planting grass and laying a 70m drain?

I'd do the soil test and apply for permission, then if sucessful I'd look at a stone burrier, lawn seed, etc

Why spend so much when all you really need is a soil test? (Circa €500 - €1000)

kormak

sorry I should have mentioned.
I had a percolation test done on it already, last year.
It read a P Value of 35 and a T value of 81, although t was only done in one drop. (which was picked up by the coco.)
So going on this, the subsoil is not really draining enough.
Ideally I need to get a t value of below 50.
and this guy maintains that laying down these drains, etc.. should provide that.
Also I do own this land.