Skipping or rushing a soil investigation can lead to structural failure, cost overruns, and safety hazards. Here are the most common mistakes contractors make and how to avoid them.

In construction, what you can’t see often matters most. Many developers underestimate the importance of proper geotechnical investigation before starting a project.

Common mistakes include:

  1. Assuming soil conditions are uniform across a site.

  2. Relying on outdated data from nearby projects.

  3. Starting foundation work before test results are analyzed.

  4. Ignoring groundwater influence on stability.

  5. Using non-standard laboratory procedures.

A detailed investigation provides reliable parameters for design, preventing future settlement or cracking. At Landmass, we’ve seen how investing early in soil testing saves millions later.