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Soil Removal Cost
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=18706		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  rj_louise [ May 28, 2009 4:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Soil Removal Cost
In our contract there is a provisional sum of $2,000 for the removal of excess soil. I've asked that this be removed as I'd like to keep the soil and use it at a later time (also a tip I got from another DFH customer).

But I've been told that it can't be taken out because "it will be a lot of soil that comes out so it can only be determined onsite if there is any room to leave it on site but generally the standard size blocks do not have enough room."

Forgive my ignorance but is this usual practice or a money spinner? $2,000 seems a lot to me for this service.
Author:  ok180 [ May 28, 2009 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
How many tonne you getting rid of?
Author:  Carmel [ May 28, 2009 6:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost


This is my $1,000 pile of dirt. Nice huh.

IMO if you have enough room for the dirt you should be allowed to keep it. I can see how it would be a problem if it was in the way.
Good luck.
The Undertaker took ours away.
Author:  davinci [ May 28, 2009 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
bobcat and tandem truck (not truck and dog) $90 a hr + gst
usual min. 4 hr
landtrak site dump $45 per truck av. 12 q/m a tandem truck
or tip as clean fill app. $50 a load
20% odd builders
if supervised app. $45 - $130 hr min 4 hr app.

most bulk outs are an estimate only, no real way of determining amount of soil after excavation (soil fluffs up etc when excavated)
Author:  alk [ May 29, 2009 12:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Be happy its only dirt. I have a pile of dirt that size and then two bigger piles of excavated rock next to it. The wallets gonna hurt getting that taken away.
Author:  sparkle [ Jun 02, 2009 8:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Hi,

We had been charged the same provisional cost for soil removal however we got out sales consultant to put a note on the contract stating that they are to leave all excess soil on site and only under the instruction from us is it to be removed, so this money will be credited back in the final payment if the soil hasnt been removed.
Author:  craigandamy [ Jun 02, 2009 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
when we did our selections it was mentioned that we would need to remove the soil within 7 days of the slab being poured.....we will see about that...its my soil and besides we have a 1161sqm block so there is more than enough room for the soil, house and builders waste.
Author:  joles [ Jun 02, 2009 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
We have also requested that they leave the soil. We'll have a lot of soil because we have a 2m slope and the house is a big single storey. :shock: :lol:

We actually had it included in our contract that it was to be piled at the back of the block. We got charged for it to be moved and piled (I sh*t you not), but the charge was minimal and nowhere near the removal cost. It's still costing someone time and money to move all the soil I guess.

We have a 1639m2 block though, so room and access wasn't an issue. Not sure whether my builder does it on standard sized blocks. :th:

This is a good thread though..... because it's worth anyone thinking about keeping their soil rather than removing it. Our soil is really good... I couldn't see the point of removing it, then bringing in top soil at a later date. I'll just use my excess when the build has finished and feed the soil as Fu says. Seemed like a more cost effective way of doing things.
Author:  Andronicus [ Jun 02, 2009 5:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Our 2nd home we decided to have the soil stockpiled at the rear of the block because we didn't think it would be a lot (flat block). Big mistake! It was big, maybe twice the size of Carmel's. We called it the 'volcano'.

The problem... We didn't have any access to the rear after the house was built. When I say no access I mean, we couldn't even fit a wheel barrow down the side because the hot water system was blocking the path. It took 5 of us with shovels and barrows about 4 days to clear it away. Actually we used about 1/2 in the back yard to level it out and 1/2 was carted away. Thanks to our neighbour for letting us remove a section of the fence!

If you do have access to the rear for at least a dingo (the machine not the one that eats babies) then i'd suggest having it left on site at the rear so you can use what you need and have the rest removed after build. If you don't have access or don't think you'll use it - get the builder to remove it.

I recently got the engineering report back for my current house and they calculated that 1000 tonne needed to be removed @ $16 per tonne ($16,000). So that gives you an idea of the cost.
Author:  houseofl [ Jun 02, 2009 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Similar story to Joles - we have a 3.5mt deep cut across approx 25 mts so there will be a lot of soil removed, anticipating 3 days of it. We are not being charged to remove any of it and we are not keeping any of it. We are having a pool put dug out in Oct / Nov and will probably keep some of that instead.

JL
Author:  francesco [ Jun 15, 2009 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Hi all - I'm in the same position right now, we have a $2,500 provsional allowance by our builder to remove excess fill from site - he had assured me that based on his calculations this should cover it..... Well, since the excavations have begun to prepare for the slab, I've had nothing but dropped comments from builder and excavators alike, saying "There's a lot of dirt..."... I am yet to see the cost difference, but I do know from a reliable source that a truck and dog (10tonne truck + trailer = 20 tonne) is about $800 per load including bobcat etc. I wait with stress and tension tyo see what the builder charges me. By the way, has anyone requested proof of the amount of dirt, ie actual cost, from their builder??

Francesco.

P.S Going by the phto in this thread - in my inexpereinced view, it looks like a <$1,500 pile of soil.
Author:  alk [ Jun 15, 2009 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Andronicus Andronicus
I recently got the engineering report back for my current house and they calculated that 1000 tonne needed to be removed @ $16 per tonne ($16,000). So that gives you an idea of the cost.


Are you sure it wasn't 1000kg? 1000 tonnes is crazy.

I recently carted away 33 tonnes (33 000kg) of dirt and rock. I organised it myself, builder suggested someone but this guy said he'd do a good deal If I paid cash.

It took three truckloads...
Breakdown:
Labour: $85p/h (one man, excavator and truck)
Hours: 4.5 hours
Dumping fee: 3 tonnes free (resident) and each additional tonne at $6.50
Total: $577.50

I paid less than that though. The nice lady at the tip let me off for the last load saving me about $65. Pretty silly you have to pay so much any way since it was clean fill, the tip use it to cover up rubbish.
Author:  Andronicus [ Jun 30, 2009 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
alk alk
Are you sure it wasn't 1000kg? 1000 tonnes is crazy.

I recently carted away 33 tonnes (33 000kg) of dirt and rock. I organised it myself, builder suggested someone but this guy said he'd do a good deal If I paid cash.

It took three truckloads...
Breakdown:
Labour: $85p/h (one man, excavator and truck)
Hours: 4.5 hours
Dumping fee: 3 tonnes free (resident) and each additional tonne at $6.50
Total: $577.50

I paid less than that though. The nice lady at the tip let me off for the last load saving me about $65. Pretty silly you have to pay so much any way since it was clean fill, the tip use it to cover up rubbish.


Yes, 100% positive it is 1000 tonne. It is crazy, but imagine taking a 2.6m deep cut into the land 20 metres wide, you'd reach 1000 tonne quite easily. That's not even cutting out a square chunk, it's more like a wedge shape (due to the land sloping). It's interesting to compare your price ($17.50 per tonne) with my builders price ($16.50 per tonne). I wouldn't be able to stockpile that amount, it'd be as high as ayers rock. ::lol::
Author:  JellyLegs [ Jun 30, 2009 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
We just had a quote done today for the removal of approx 30m3 - not sure how much that would weigh :?

I was told $90/hr (cash) for the bobcat and removal plus tip fees of about $270 if he couldn't find somewhere / someone looking for free fill. All up it will apparently cost us about $720 at that rate.

We had asked for ours to be left on the block so we could use it for raised garden beds. But its shocking clay and just in the way of any landscaping effort, so it's got to go. We'll need to dig more out for the driveway and possibly where we're going to build the deck, so it wont be missed.
Author:  hunts01 [ Jun 30, 2009 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
We just went through the same thing

The soil was $5 a cubic metre to dump at a fill site LANTRUC
The tip truck was $75 an hour
The excavator as $85 an hour

Basically we were quoted 200 cubic metres or 20 tip truck loads, excavation and tip fees for $6000.

I suggest you get onto lantrak and speak to them about prices, they sem to be pretty good!
Author:  onc_artisan [ Jul 01, 2009 1:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
Andronicus Andronicus
alk alk
Are you sure it wasn't 1000kg? 1000 tonnes is crazy.

I recently carted away 33 tonnes (33 000kg) of dirt and rock. I organised it myself, builder suggested someone but this guy said he'd do a good deal If I paid cash.

It took three truckloads...
Breakdown:
Labour: $85p/h (one man, excavator and truck)
Hours: 4.5 hours
Dumping fee: 3 tonnes free (resident) and each additional tonne at $6.50
Total: $577.50

I paid less than that though. The nice lady at the tip let me off for the last load saving me about $65. Pretty silly you have to pay so much any way since it was clean fill, the tip use it to cover up rubbish.


Yes, 100% positive it is 1000 tonne. It is crazy, but imagine taking a 2.6m deep cut into the land 20 metres wide, you'd reach 1000 tonne quite easily. That's not even cutting out a square chunk, it's more like a wedge shape (due to the land sloping). It's interesting to compare your price ($17.50 per tonne) with my builders price ($16.50 per tonne). I wouldn't be able to stockpile that amount, it'd be as high as ayers rock. ::lol::

2.6 x 20 = 52 cu mtrs @ an overly generous sg of 2.8 = 145.6 t

We levelled an area 45m x 35m x 1.5 mtr cut and 1.5 mtrs fill, was bush :(
we moved 2300 cu mtrs of sand. Cost of $3160.
No sand was removed or brought to site.
But it was a contra deal. :z:
Author:  Andronicus [ Jul 01, 2009 2:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
onc_artisan onc_artisan
2.6 x 20 = 52 cu mtrs @ an overly generous sg of 2.8 = 145.6 t

We levelled an area 45m x 35m x 1.5 mtr cut and 1.5 mtrs fill, was bush :(
we moved 2300 cu mtrs of sand. Cost of $3160.
No sand was removed or brought to site.
But it was a contra deal. :z:


Need to factor in the entire building envelope. Something like 2.6 deep x 20 wide x 16 long x your factor of 2.8 = 2330 t. However since the land slopes down over that 16m (eg it's not 2.6m deep the whole 16m) that you end up digging out a wedge rather than square. So perhaps 1/2 the 2330 t or 1164 t.

Because the original plan was all cut, we couldn't use the soil for filll and thus the need to spend $16 per tonne having it removed from site. I didn't mention the $4500 charge to actually do the siteworks.
Author:  seast [ Jul 01, 2009 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
You need to find someone like me (and I need to find someone like you all) who wants some fill. ::lol:: Anyone on the southside of Brissy with some dirt to give away to a good home??? :lol:
Author:  Andronicus [ Jul 01, 2009 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
could walk down the main streets of adelaide with a handfull of soil singing..

Some Soil, Soil for sale. It's going cheap. Only seven guineas. That -- or thereabouts. Some soil... Rather pale. ...
Author:  Daveky [ Sep 29, 2009 8:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Soil Removal Cost
hunts01 hunts01
We just went through the same thing

The soil was $5 a cubic metre to dump at a fill site LANTRUC
The tip truck was $75 an hour
The excavator as $85 an hour

Basically we were quoted 200 cubic metres or 20 tip truck loads, excavation and tip fees for $6000.

I suggest you get onto lantrak and speak to them about prices, they sem to be pretty good!


Was that including the operators hourly rate for tip truck and excavator?

We are querying our concreter as they've overcharged on every conceivable thing.

To remove 35.64 cubic metres of fill they charged 2800 for a combination rock breaker, 6 tonne excavator and bobcat, and 2735 in tip truck hire (395 tip fee's 5*79= 395).

they say they took 22 trucks to the tip and were only charged for 5.

The first day's excavation they removed most of the soil from the block the majority of the excavation for the retaining wall with supposedly 4 loads (about 27 cubes) this took the operator 6 hours.

The second two days they removed the leftovers (probably a truck full), + 8.64 cubes of material for the footings some of which was rock.

So excavation cost for 35 square metres (including labour of operator of excavator and supervisor for excavator (50 per hour= 2600) was $8135

or $232.4 per cubic metre. Figure that one out !

Also they excavated the footings using the same "technique" and for approx 18 cubes of footings they charged 3410 for the excavator and tipper (11 hours @ 90 for the tipper =990+ 20 hours excavator bobcat rock breaker combo 20 hours *110= 2200,+ tip fees 4 loads @55.05 = 220.20)

Mysteriously the tip fee had dropped it's fees by 30 percent the second time and they were able to take 18 cubes in 4 trucks, as opposed to 35 cubes in 22 trucks.

This is using a 10 cubic metre truck by the way, and the bob cat and rock breaker weren't used in the first day of excavation, i wasn't there for the rest so i don't know what happened.

Also the company that do the concreting own the excavation equipment and rent it out to themselves through a shell company as their address is the same as the concreter so we can't get the actual time rented out from the machinery hire place as it's their company.
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