Before you buy
When Does Land Need a Soils Report?
The study is more useful once there is a preliminary grading concept.
The short answer
A soils review is part of evaluating a development site. A qualified geotechnical professional determines the field work and writes the recommendations. Those recommendations belong in the budget and the schedule. The work is in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and southern San Bernardino County, including the Inland Empire. Call (760) 271-1081.
Why a soils review is part of the site
The review should consider previous reports, planned grading, foundations, slopes, existing fill, groundwater, rock, and earthquake-related hazards. Rock, boulders, and expansive soils matter. Deep cuts through rock can be especially expensive.
How the grading is managed after that report is in hand is on grading and site preparation.
What the geotechnical professional looks at
A qualified geotechnical professional determines the field investigation, including liquefaction and nearby faults. The report should explain how the conditions affect design and construction.
Soils that change the budget
Weak, expansive, collapsible, or variable soils can require removal, treatment, more compaction, or special foundations. Rock and unsuitable fill can raise the grading cost. Put those recommendations in the budget and the schedule so the owner can see the effect.
What else moves the cost and the schedule is on land development budget and schedule.
Groundwater
High groundwater can complicate excavation, trench stability, foundations, waterproofing, and underground utilities. Sewer, water, and storm drain construction may need temporary dewatering, and a way to treat or discharge the pumped water. High groundwater can also add liquefaction risk in susceptible soils.
A regional map is not a site investigation
Regional maps are useful background. They do not replace a site-specific investigation when one is needed.
When the study is more useful
A geotechnical investigation is more useful once there is a preliminary grading concept. Proposed cuts, fills, buildings, and deeper basins help the geotechnical professional target the field work. Without that concept, the findings may be more general and need more work later.
Which studies belong with this one is on what studies a land development project needs. The purchase review that uses the findings is the feasibility study.
Frequently asked questions
When does land need a soils report?
Geotechnical review is part of evaluating a development site. A qualified geotechnical professional determines the field work. The study is more useful once there is a preliminary grading concept, so the work can target the proposed cuts, fills, and buildings.
What does the geotechnical professional look at?
Previous reports, planned grading, foundations, slopes, existing fill, groundwater, rock, and earthquake-related hazards. That includes liquefaction and nearby faults. The report should explain how those conditions affect design and construction.
Which soils change the budget?
Weak, expansive, collapsible, or variable soils can require removal, treatment, more compaction, or special foundations. Rock and unsuitable fill can raise the grading cost. Deep cuts through rock can be especially expensive. Those recommendations belong in the budget and the schedule.
How does groundwater affect the site?
High groundwater can complicate excavation, trench stability, foundations, waterproofing, and underground utilities. It can require dewatering and a way to treat or discharge the pumped water. It can also add liquefaction risk in susceptible soils.
Is a regional soils map enough?
Regional maps are useful background. They do not replace a site-specific investigation when one is needed.
Related pages
- Land Development Feasibility Study
Screen a site before purchase: permitted use, access, utilities, drainage, soils, environmental concerns, expected approvals, and total development costs.
- Grading and Site Preparation
Confirm permits, bonds, and the current plan revision before grading starts, and watch the earthwork balance, import, export, and erosion control.
- What Studies Does a Land Development Project Need?
Which studies a project needs before a purchase, including environmental work, a soils study after a grading concept, and a street study a city may require.
Want help with the soils report?
Call (760) 271-1081 or email brian@landdevspec.net.