Do This When You Buy Land

[@Lastboomers]

This contractor takes you through steps nobody talks about. Much appreciated.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Thanks!

[@TomBodet556]

You've thoroughly terrified me into making sure this is part of a contingency on my land purchase.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I hope I have not scared you too much.

[@pcatful]

We have expansive clay here and there all over our area. It really affects how you build. We end up with a high number of pier and grade beam or structural mat foundations--making it very difficult for all the people (EVERY homebuyer down the road) who wants to remodel.

[@tmut44]

thanks for information

[@sierraechopnw4228]

The county we are building in the soil scientist is sent by the county upon permit application.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

That's very odd for the county to manage Geotech.

[@sierraechopnw4228]

@ they won’t issue a permit until the report is completed to know whether or not it’s buildable land.

[@rafaelvillalobos9145]

Many sellers will say: must do own dilligence, meaning they want buyer to pay for the geotech report.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Right. If seller wants to sell, they should offer Geotech.

[@JL-hn6hi]

Great advice. One can pay for it now or possibly pay for it big time later…

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Agreed. I have seen people pay big for not finding out what is below before they dig.

[@dbdouglas]

What kind of price range should one expect for a geo-technical report?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

between $800 and $4,000, it varies according to market demand

[@zobenn2833]

Is this the same as the PERT TEST or similar?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

No. A perc test is for septic systems and they are usually done with a backhoe and they dig just a few feet to test how fast water will percolate into the soil.

[@valleyoftears8964]

Thanks for the emphasis on this! Is a Perc Test geotechnical report?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Yes. The geotech engineer often performs a perc test for a septic.

[@valleyoftears8964]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome Appreciate your response!

[@eljefe4473]

One more reason why home building costs a fortune. Just paid 1500 dollars for this non necessary service for my area. Guess what? I’m building the same foundation we have been building with for many years but a geo tech stamped his approval. These crooks know the areas and soil types yet still make you get a test. When something goes wrong they will let the homeowner take the hit. To blanket every permit with this fee is ridiculous.

[@eljefe4473]

My next favorite trick is hammering out blue malapai rock ( $250 hr) instead of drilling and pinning the footings.. Makes so much sense to remove a nearly unbreakable natural material and replace it with weak concrete. Love the vids keep them coming.

[@Lastboomers]

True, however he talks of actual core testing and not a stamp. There are many areas where soils in one part of a valley are completely different from another. Poltergeist is a movie about a housing development being built on a graveyard. Core samples and test pits are what is most important. I am willing to pay to know what’s below.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Good point. If I could build directly on natural material that is superior to man made stuff, I would do it. Engineers are not God, they do not know what He has already engineered.