I do soil tests near Melbourne. These are technically known as a site investigation and classification according to Australian Standard AS2870 “residential slabs and footings”. The climate and geology are the main factors in the soil test. Also involved are the changes to the site like earthworks and trees. My minimum fee for building soil test is $450 inc gst. I can do footing probes that measure the footing profile and what it is founded in.
I do Land capability assessments (LCA) are used to determine how the septic effluent is disposed of into the soil on site. Most councils will not allow effluent pump out as a method. So beware if you buy land that you can dispose of the septic tank effluent, or you may not be able to build. Some councils and water boards interpret the need for a water balance and this can make things difficult. Even the new EPA guidelines say a water balance can give unreasonable results, This is because a water balance can make the effluent area required ridiculously large. I prefer the Australian Standard AS1547 “on-site domestic wastewater management” as the most important document, not the EPA or MAV “guidelines”. My minumum fee for an LCA is $1000 inc gst.
I can do soil pollution samples. It is best you set up and account with the laboratory I deal with. This must be done before the samples are taken there. You can pay them directly and pay me for taking the the samples to them. The laboratory tests for substances, but does not interpret what the results mean. You can do that yourself using the EPA guidelines or get someone to do it, I can do it too. My minimum fee for a pollution soil test is $600 inc gst.
I can do the geotechnical soil test in erosion management overlays (EMO). These usually are where the soil is prone to landslides. The minimum fee is $1000 inc gst.
I can do bushfire attack levels (BAL).
I can do wind ratings.
I can do simple spot levels with my dumpy level.