Before anyone can give you a price for earthworks on the Sunshine Coast, they will have to know exactly what they are quoting for. That is because there are a number of variables.
Size Matters
First and foremost, how big is the site and how much work will be involved? Contractors will allocate certain types of machines to the job, and earthworks is a rather vague term You wouldn’t expect a painter and decorator to give you a quote until they knew if they were going to be just painting or doing some other aspect of decorating, and one small room is a different proposition from a whole house.
It’s the same with earthworks. Would one bulldozer do the job or are there several stages to this, involving specialist vehicles?
What Type of Terrain are we Talking About?
The speed at which a contractor can work depends on the simplicity or otherwise of the job. What is the soil like? What are the conditions? If the site is muddy and soft, that requires one approach. If it is dry and hard, that requires another. Clay, sand, red or yellow earth? In coastal areas there might be all sorts of material down there, so they’ll need to bring the right equipment.
What is the Access Like?
Ease of access is a significant factor in choosing the machines for the job. Working on a site in a city poses traffic-related questions, because the contractor has to get these powerful, bulky beasts through streets that are primarily designed for standard cars. A big machine may have to be brought in on a transporter.
If you’re out in the sticks, access is probably a lot easier, although not necessarily. Many site are chosen by business owners based on the suitability of the site itself, not how easy it is to get to, and if you’ve got a lake on one side and a marsh on another, that is two options gone right away. If this is down a country lane, exactly how wide is the lane and how robust is it? Heavy machinery can break a brittle surface, not to mention any walls or hedges that line it.
It’s not that earthworks companies are careless or unthinking. It’s just the nature of the machinery nd the importance of bringing the best units for the job.
What Lies Beneath the Earth Here?
A further complication to the overall task could be what the contractor is going to find when the digging starts. If they have to clear trees and brambles etc. before they can start getting under the surface, clearly there are going to be roots down there, and these can slow work down considerably. An experienced operator, particularly one with local knowledge, will know that if it’s a certain type of tree there are going to be roots that are more troublesome than most or perhaps less trouble.
No trees is probably a good sign, but who knows what was there in the past? Again, local knowledge can help. And what if this is a brownfield site where once there was a factory or some other industrial activity? Then there would be pipes down there, cables perhaps, basements and cellars, storage tanks or sewers.
If there was something chemical going on in that old facility, the earth could need remediation, the technical term for cleaning up to make the area safe to work on.
Permits and Official Hurdles
Even before the work can start there might be a delay and an unexpected outlay because the local authorities insist on you applying for permission for change of use, for instance. The actual permits may not cost too much, but if there are restrictions on what you can do there or preliminary work to be done, they can impact the cost.
What if it’s a Straightforward Job?
We’ve given some common issues you may face that could increase the price but many earthworks jobs are much simpler. Whether you face these extra fees or not, the cost is likely to be less than you think.
Find yourself a good contractor with local knowledge like our team and get them to give you an estimate. You may be pleasantly surprised.
