How do I get an unbiased evaluation of my yard drainage and erosion state of affairs?

panpsych wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 1:04 pm
I simply moved right into a home that has a beautiful however advanced yard. There aren’t any imminent points that we will see, however I however wish to have somebody consider it for peace of thoughts. The issue is making an attempt to get an unbiased and ideally free evaluation in order that I do not wind up paying for pointless interventions?

Primarily, there’s a hill behind the home. The earlier house owners put in a number of decking and retaining partitions, turning the hill right into a form of backyard. There are mature bushes and plantings, in addition to rocks and mulch. My concern is that there *could* be some rising erosion points that we might handle proactively. However I do not know for certain as a result of I am not an knowledgeable. We actually want a good and sincere analysis. The earlier house owners waterproofed the home and put in french drains, and there’s a flat space between the hill and the home so we’re much less involved about the home itself and extra involved in regards to the hill what’s on it. There are two bigger tall bushes which might be on the sting of the hill (they’re alive and nicely presently). We do not know in the event that they have to be eliminated or needs to be left alone or what. I already contracted one drainage and erosion firm and so they mentioned they’ll come out and supply a “free estimate”. I am involved that they’re incentivized to inform us we have to do x, y and z with a purpose to hold themselves in enterprise. I do know that we might get competing quotes, however that does not solely remedy the issue as a result of if everyone seems to be incentivized to say we have to do one thing, we might nonetheless find yourself doing rather more than we have to do.

Can we simply wait till there are actual indicators of an issue? I imply, it may very well be that there are already indicators however I simply do not acknowledge them. Do I simply want to teach myself on what the indicators are and what must be performed?

I am asking the Bogleheads neighborhood as a result of I assume you of us are savvy and know tips on how to deal with these conditions in a means that reduces your odds of spending $ unnecessarily.

to op:
1
Almost any and all contractors and companies, from a “handyman service” to a “Common Contractor” to a “Landscaping firm” to a realtor, to a “house inspector with a brand new certificates”, goes to have their very own views inside their scope of companies, and, usually, with their very own greatest pursuits (cash) in addition to yours.
One of the best you are able to do is get numerous inputs and opinions from numerous “professionals” and parse what you want by yourself with out getting “bought”.
2
Look forward to it to rain, usually, onerous and sustained is healthier. Go outdoors. Watch what the water does, the place it goes, and many others.
3
If the world already has apparent proof of abrasion points, ie: retaining wall falling aside or leaning, then you possibly can handle that because it occurs.

Congratulatioins in your new house.

j