During the morning of 3rd August 2010, the builder called me on my mobile asking me to remove the soil asap so as not to delay the progress on the slab.
She asked that I remove about 50-60 tonnes of dirt. I asked how much that would cost and they patched me through their concrete contractor
to discuss my option. he said it would be about 4-6 truck loads... I said I will go and canvass first and ask my wife.
We agreed on the price - $600/truck, since it was cheaper than what we canvassed and they can do it within the day.
Cost is inclusive of removal (excavator, trucks and tipping to a somewhere else).
Then during lunch time, the contractor contacted me that it looks like it will be 7-8 trucks and wanted me there so I can see for myself. It was a good thing that I was able to leave the office to check it out. True enough the day ended with 8 trucks - paid the contractor $4800 just to throw the excess soil.
We felt so down for several reasons:
1. It was an out of pocket expense and not planned for. 5 grand in one day really hurts the pocket...
2. Putting it in the tender as a provisional allowance would have been easier so it can be part of the loan.
3. They didn't tell us about it before hand. Maybe it was one of those fine lines that we need to read again. Or we expected it but we thought we need to do that prior to moving into the house.
Key learnings:
1. Make sure that removal of excess soil is part of the provisional allowance.
2. Once they start piering, look for a place to dump the dirt, maybe someone looking for additional fill. That should minimize the the cost you have to pay.
3. Leave some dirt so you don't need to get another clean fill when you complete the landscaping later on.
