Practical guide
Preparing the structural work of a house in Geneva at a lower cost
A structural worksite that runs smoothly was prepared on paper. Here are the points we discuss with each owner and each architect before drawing up a quote.
In brief
Before the structural work of a villa or an extension in Geneva, gather the architect’s and engineer’s plans, have the soil study carried out, obtain the building permit, describe the access to the plot and set the scope of each package. The quote is then drawn up package by package and the worksite proceeds from earthworks to foundations, then to walls and slabs.
Gathering the plans
Structural work is carried out from plans, the architect’s for volumes and openings and the civil engineer’s for foundations, reinforcement and thicknesses. Without execution plans, a quote rests on assumptions that will need to be checked.
If your architect has not yet appointed an engineer, now is the time to do so. Their work determines the start of the worksite.
Knowing the soil
The geotechnical report describes the layers of the ground, their bearing capacity and the presence of water. It allows the engineer to choose between footings and a raft slab and tells us about the stability of the excavations.
A soil study ordered early helps avoid surprises when the excavations are opened and changes to the foundations during the worksite.
Obtaining the building permit
In Geneva, a new house, an extension or a raised storey requires a building permit. The application is filed by the owner or their architect. Processing times are counted in months.
Structural work only starts once the permit is final and the start of works announced. Build these timescales into your calendar before setting a start date.
Describing access to the plot
The width of the lane, the slope, the clearance under lines or branches, the space for a crane, a skip and material storage, and the proximity of neighbours determine which machines can be used and how concrete deliveries are organised.
A few photos and a site plan are enough for a first assessment. The visit then confirms what is possible.
Setting the scope of each package
A structural work quote reads package by package, from earthworks to slabs by way of foundations, reinforced concrete and masonry. For each package, the quote states the quantities, the assumptions and what is not included. Check that the interfaces with the other companies are clear, namely who applies the waterproofing, who provides the provision plans and who carries out the backfilling.
Comparing several quotes only makes sense if they describe the same scope. Ask each company for the same item structure.
Understanding the sequence
Structural work follows a fixed order with setting out, earthworks, foundations, basement walls, slab, ground-floor walls, slab, and so on up to the last slab or the roof structure starter bars. Each pour is preceded by an engineer’s check and followed by a setting time.
The decisions to make during this phase are few but fundamental. They concern the position of provisions, finished levels and, for an extension, the details of the connection with the existing building. They are prepared before the worksite, with the architect.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked before a worksite
Can I request a quote without an architect or engineer?
You can describe your project to us and we will tell you which documents are needed. The structural work quote for a house or an extension does, however, rest on plans. Design and calculations are the responsibility of an architect and an engineer you appoint.
What is the owner’s role during the structural work?
The owner approves the quote, makes the decisions that are theirs (levels, provisions, options) and is kept informed of progress by their architect or directly by our site manager. Site meetings are an opportunity to ask your questions.
What happens if the soil differs from the study?
The engineer is informed as soon as the excavations are opened and adapts the foundations if necessary. The effects on the quote are priced before execution and approved by the client or their representative.
Your house
A villa project starts with a discussion of the plans.
Describe your project, the municipality and the stage of the studies. MS Contractor SA contacts you again to clarify the structural work packages to price.