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Jason,
Seen this so many times over many decades in the trade, we always put our quote in writing specifying drainage, buried rubbish issues are subject to an extra charge to sort as they are not obvious on initial inspection. Has your son given a written quote specifying what he is doing?
Moving on the first thing is to discuss with the owner the problems. What spec were they given from the builder? Has the developer complied wirh their obligations? In our experience once they have the money they are unwilling to get involved, so if the development still has unsold houses it is worth getting local press ,social media involved to exert pressure.
The developer may offer to sort the issues but this is always on the least cost option and the owner is best insisting on a financial contribution to sort with their own contractors to ensure it is done properly.
What is properly? Land drains and soak aways if it is wet now with little rain what is it going to be like with lots of rain?
We would put a 4 inch layer of sharp sand on top of existing soil and thoroughly rotovate in followed by 4 to 6 inches of good quality screened top soil then turf, this is all going to be costly and labour intensive, but if the owner wants it doing properly there is no alternative or short cuts and as referred to I doubt whether the developer will pay.
Hope that helps, but I feel a battle coming on.
Yes he has a clause saying we can revise the price based on previously unknown obstacles or things we weren't aware of at the time of quoting. Thus also included damage to machinery.
The developer has already put a land drain in near their patio, the customer said water pours down the garden.
We will go back to them and get them to ask the developer to add soil and fix the drainage.
The garden should at least be compliant to the NHBC guidance (if that's worth anything)
https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/10-external-works/10-2-drives-paths-an...
It is a prestigious area and the developer won't want bad press. They are just reallly starting the estate.