Things to ask Excavation company when getting estimates

[dantheman8119]

I've had one company out to give me a quote on prepping my site for a 30'x40' pole barn which I plan to build next year. Basically they said they would remove top soil, use that dirt on the perimeter to slope away from the future building and then bring in clay/gravel to level out the 30'x40' area and the site would be ready. First guy thought about $1000 for an estimate.

The site currently has what I would call a moderate slope, dropping 2-3 feet over the 40' length of the shed site.

I'm planning to have a couple more companies out to get my quotes to see what their thoughts are but I was wondering if there was any additional questions I should ask them while they get me an estimate?

Thanks!

 

[T_R]

Price seems about right. My site was about that much out of level and I paid the same. Be sure they are going to compact it for that price.

 

[pcmeiners]

"and then bring in clay/gravel "
Compaction is the main concern, gravel yes clay no. Very few slab areas are compacted correctly as it is more expensive; the contractor will not compact clay properly, it is just cheap for them. If they remove 6" of top soil, add 6" more gravel to the needed height, with compaction every few inches of gravel fill. With a slope of 2-3, that is a lot of non clay fill. With the extra fill and proper compaction, thinking double the price you got.
The only time I have seen clay compacted properly is when they build road beds and compact with the giant rollers, not something a general contractor has on hand, something similar to the rollers in the link below.

http://www.volvoce.com/CONSTRUCTION...CTORS/SOIL_COMPACTORS/Pages/introduction.aspx

"The site currently has what I would call a moderate slope, dropping 2-3 feet over the 40' length," .... brings up the cost considerably.

 

[matt_i]

"gravel" could be many different things from washed stone to crushed stone with fines to pea gravel to stream gravel. Clay is probably cheap fill unless its the basic soil they are referring to, like the red clay you get in Georgia. Done shoddily, that stuff will compact itself eventually with a heavy rainfall....if you let it sit over the winter, it could erode, but it could also be pretty well compacted come spring time.

 

[dantheman8119]

Thanks everyone... This is great feedback!

 

[brewchief]

My advice is to pick the highest point of your building site and have the pad prepped 6" above that, by the time you pour your slab it will end up 8 to 12" above grade and you will never have water problems in your barn, I've seen way to many barns that have water problems.

Make sure the fill is brought in and spread out and compacted in layers(lifts), unless they have a large roller keep those lifts around 6" or so or you may have settling issues in the future when you least want it to settle.

 

[pcmeiners]

"Done shoddily, that stuff will compact itself eventually with a heavy rainfall."
In my yard, I raised it 4 feet with red clay ( like 40 large truck loads), 45 years ago, took >20 years to settle.

Even compacted with a walk behind, clay will still sink for years. My poor neighbor next door does not know their 3 year old basement slab already has a cavern under it; the slab rests on 6 piers but it will break up in the future. Clay is just about the worst thing to build on.