When the purchase contract for the new property has been concluded, the actual construction process can finally begin. However, many areas are not yet ready for construction. In the case of sloping areas in particular, it is important to level them out.
It is not always possible to straighten a hillside plot
Applicable building law
Section 909 of the Building Code stipulates that deepening a property is not permitted if the neighboring property is endangered. In the event of consequential damage, the neighbor can demand compensation. The building code follows the basic principle that a plot of land should not be changed if possible. You must obtain a permit for interventions such as excavations and embankments.
Essential tools
If there are small bumps on the building site, you can level them yourself with a shovel, roller and rake. Here, the existing soil is redistributed without having to move large amounts of soil. If the imbalance is greater, heavy equipment is required.
Professional straightening
Motor hoes are useful for work on a slightly larger scale. Elaborate movements of large amounts of substrate or the removal of a mound of earth require a mini wheel loader. Earthmoving companies are in demand when completely new plots of land are to be leveled.
Rough course of the preparatory work
In the first section, the height difference of the sloping property is calculated. This provides the basis for calculating the volume of earth that needs to be moved. Such height measurements are made on classic lawns with poles, strings and a spirit level. There are special devices for leveling and calculating the slope, which provide more accurate measurement results. They prove to be indispensable for larger projects.
Alternative options for small-scale slopes:
- Terracing and straightening of partial areas
- Retaining walls to fortify sloping areas
- L-stones, dry stone walls or plant stones as slip protection
Possible costs
How deep you have to dig into your pocket depends on the scope of the work. Doing your own straightening is the cheapest option, but it quickly reaches its limits. If you hire a gardening company to do the excavation, it can cost between 25 and 50 euros per cubic meter. These fees are affected by soil quality. Additional expenses arise for the filling and leveling of the subsoil as well as the removal and disposal of the excavated earth that is not required, so that you quickly arrive at 100 euros per square meter.