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Started By
Message
Is a soil test/geotech report overkill or necessary?
Posted on 1/13/26 at 8:43 pm
Posted on 1/13/26 at 8:43 pm
’m looking for some advice on a lot I’m buying in a newer neighborhood in Ascension Parish. It’s a 90-lot development with 1-acre minimums, and about 25 houses are already up.
I’m under contract right now and supposed to close by the end of the month. My plan is to start building later this year, so I'm trying to figure out if I really need to shell out for a soil test or a full geotechnical report. I asked the seller if they had anything on file from when the subdivision was started, but they don't have anything (assuming they didn't test before buying the land from the developer).
Is a basic residential soil test enough (or necessary), or is the full geotech report actually necessary for a lot this size? I know the area has a lot of clay, but since there are already 25 houses standing, I’m wondering if I can skip it or if that's a recipe for foundation issues later.
What are the "must-do" steps you guys recommend before I close?
Appreciate any insight from anyone who has built around here recently. It's been a while since I last bought a piece of property (nearly 18 years), and I don't think I had a soil test -- or if there was, it was done by my builder, and I wasn't educated enough back then to even ask.
I’m under contract right now and supposed to close by the end of the month. My plan is to start building later this year, so I'm trying to figure out if I really need to shell out for a soil test or a full geotechnical report. I asked the seller if they had anything on file from when the subdivision was started, but they don't have anything (assuming they didn't test before buying the land from the developer).
Is a basic residential soil test enough (or necessary), or is the full geotech report actually necessary for a lot this size? I know the area has a lot of clay, but since there are already 25 houses standing, I’m wondering if I can skip it or if that's a recipe for foundation issues later.
What are the "must-do" steps you guys recommend before I close?
Appreciate any insight from anyone who has built around here recently. It's been a while since I last bought a piece of property (nearly 18 years), and I don't think I had a soil test -- or if there was, it was done by my builder, and I wasn't educated enough back then to even ask.
4
Posted on 1/13/26 at 9:45 pm to Will Cover
I assume you are talking about a soil compaction test?
If so, I would say absolutely have it done.
The cost is minimal compared to having to repair all the issues caused by foundation problems a few years down the road.
If so, I would say absolutely have it done.
The cost is minimal compared to having to repair all the issues caused by foundation problems a few years down the road.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:02 pm to Will Cover
a geotechnical report will include a soils bore at the foundation location and give you recommendations for foundation design. Primarily whether a deep or shallow foundation is necessary/suitable. Since there are houses in the development your structural engineer will already know what design to use. So no, a geotechnical report is not needed. If for whatever reason the report from the site development is needed, it will be on file for use as reference
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:09 pm to tiggerfan02 2021
quote:
I assume you are talking about a soil compaction test?
If so, I would say absolutely have it done.
The cost is minimal compared to having to repair all the issues caused by foundation problems a few years down the road.
What should I expect to pay for a test like this?
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:10 pm to cgrand
quote:
So no, a geotechnical report is not needed.
Do you have any local company recommendations for soil compaction test? Assuming that you agree with the previous poster that this test should be conducted.
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 10:11 pm
Posted on 1/13/26 at 10:24 pm to Will Cover
all of the geotechnical firms provide construction services. Have your contractor make the arrangements. We use terracon most often but they all can do it
Most have a package including structural fill compaction testing, concrete testing (21 day psi) etc. you don’t need to deal with that as the client
Most have a package including structural fill compaction testing, concrete testing (21 day psi) etc. you don’t need to deal with that as the client
Posted on 1/14/26 at 5:22 am to cgrand
quote:
all of the geotechnical firms provide construction services. Have your contractor make the arrangements. We use terracon most often but they all can do it
I haven't selected a contractor, yet. However, I most likely will choose the one who built my current house nearly 18 years ago.
quote:
We use terracon most often but they all can do it
I plan to close on my lot later this month. While I am not seeking legal advice, and understand this is strictly my decision, would you wait until you select a contractor to do what I originally asked?
Posted on 1/14/26 at 7:13 am to Will Cover
yes
Posted on 1/14/26 at 12:57 pm to Will Cover
Your lot size doesn't matter. It's ideal to have a good understanding of the soil but a geotech report is gonna be overkill more times than not for residential.
I will say that the soil South of the BR fault is not as good as that North of the fault but good enough for a single story building on shallow foundations.
We (company I work for) put all of our geotechnical reports for projects into a .kmz file that allows us to find reports close to project sites. From Google Earth I'm able to click a pin and bring up the report to get an idea of what to expect.
If you want me to see if we have something close just email me (removed) and I'll take a look.
I will say that the soil South of the BR fault is not as good as that North of the fault but good enough for a single story building on shallow foundations.
We (company I work for) put all of our geotechnical reports for projects into a .kmz file that allows us to find reports close to project sites. From Google Earth I'm able to click a pin and bring up the report to get an idea of what to expect.
If you want me to see if we have something close just email me (removed) and I'll take a look.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 7:07 pm
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:16 pm to junkfunky
Thanks for the offer, and I will certainly take you up on it.
I’ll email you this evening.
I’ll email you this evening.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:17 pm to Will Cover
I assume this site has public sewer and will not require a septic system? You have some good comments here, but I would add there are some areas that have sensitive soils (Jackson, MS). In areas like this I would definitely have one and have the foundation designed. A pretty good indicator if you are in an area with sensitive soils are the roads in the area. Areas with high shrink/swell soils are going to usually have rough roads that have to be leveled and repaired often.
If it is an where septic is required, I would at least have the area where the system would be installed tested to make sure it can handle the number of bedrooms you want to install.
If it is an where septic is required, I would at least have the area where the system would be installed tested to make sure it can handle the number of bedrooms you want to install.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:18 pm to TimeOutdoors
Public sewer system is available.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 5:08 pm to Will Cover
No problem
Posted on 1/14/26 at 6:28 pm to junkfunky
e-mail sent. You can remove your email address if you'd like.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 10:11 pm to Will Cover
It was late 2004 when we built, and I think it was $1200-1500 roughly.
It's been so long I am not sure since we built on a cost+ and I was dealing with literally every invoice the GC dealt with, so it was early on, and one of a multitude of things in the process. I think I still have the invoice in a big folder. If you want, I will try to find it this weekend.
It's been so long I am not sure since we built on a cost+ and I was dealing with literally every invoice the GC dealt with, so it was early on, and one of a multitude of things in the process. I think I still have the invoice in a big folder. If you want, I will try to find it this weekend.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 2:30 pm to Will Cover
I replied to your email. You definitely do not need a geotech and while the entire site was surcharged you should always get a proofroll to make sure there aren't any subsurface voids that could affect your foundation.
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