What are the most common issues resulting from poorly executed earthworks?

Differential settlement: Where cut and fill is performed on a site, the fill area must be prepared and compacted methodically and with extreme care. All organic matter must be removed from the surface and the ground properly prepared to key into the fill. Where organic matter has not been removed, the resulting joint between the fill and the organic matter becomes a slip zone as it decays that can cause the fill area to slide down the slope and lower the fill side relative to the cut side. This can cause serious structural issues in a building located on the pad above such as slab and wall cracks, plumbing separation from the slab, floor unevenness, vermin issues, etc.

Slippage: as described above, where material is placed on organic matter, the weight of soil as well as any structures can cause downward movement.

Drainage issues: Inadequate consideration of the drainage of a site prior to earthworks can lead to very costly and time consuming works and repairs.