A soil test is carried during the initial stage of construction of a new home when a series of soil samples are obtained from your property. Because the soil profile of each home site differs from one location to the next, a soil report is required even before your house designs are completed. Some builders will take care of this for you, so ask beforehand or hire a professional soil testing company to do the job correctly. Before signing any building contract, make sure you get the findings of your soil test, as the conclusion might have a major impact on your construction expenses.
Importance of Soil Testing for Construction
Soil Reactivity
The major reason for doing a soil test for construction is to determine how “reactive” the soil is and to verify that there are no chemical or physical problems on the property that might harm your home. Soil reactivity is rated by the class which is related to how much the soil on the site is expected to move, expand, and contract (usually as a result of changing moisture content).
Soil Bearing Capacity
The soil bearing capacity defines the type of footings or slab subfloor that can be constructed on your site and how much weight the soil can hold per unit area. If the soil is unstable, the footings may need to be buried deeper or a different form of foundation applied.
A challenging site, where surface movement is predicted to be higher than usual, will cost significantly more to construct on. Because these expenses can be high at times, it’s better to be well prepared before you begin construction.
How is a Soil Test Performed?
The real estate surveyor or geotechnical engineers dig into the ground and retrieve soil using special equipment. They will be able to classify the site and estimate the bearing capacity of the soil by identifying what sort of soil is present at various depths.
When Planning to Rebuild Home
Remember that if you’re planning to rebuild your home, you’ll need two soil tests: one before demolition and another thereafter.
If you are purchasing a new property or planning to build a home in New York, you can rely on AAA Group for land surveying and soil testing services. We will always provide you with excellent customer service and work while keeping the cost affordable. Call our fully insured team at (718) 387–9800 immediately!