Best Practices in Site Preparation

One of the basics of home and residential construction is to have a good understanding of the site to be built upon. A host of factors determine the viability of a site for building. In some cases, these factors can completely rule out the site as a desirable place to build a home or other structure. In still other cases, it can add significant costs to the project, or it can increase the time frame of the construction. Following best practices in site preparation protects all parties involved in the project.

Environmental factors need to be taken into consideration on any construction project. Is the site likely to experience heavy rains or other forms of adverse weather during the construction period? Is there a pond nearby or a trout stream that will be sensitive to increased runoff? If so, there might be higher costs due to mitigation expenses. Perhaps there could be an endangered species on site which might require an alteration of the building plan.

Site preparation includes a plan for the clearing of trees and other vegetation. This process can be affected by the topography of the land, and will require heavy equipment as well as a stable surface to work on. Construction might not be able to be started until the site is sufficiently cleared to bring in other equipment.

A comprehensive soil test must be performed on the site. Before any project begins, it is crucial to have an understanding of the composition of the soil. This information tells the builder about the drainage and absorption rates of the soil, as well as the land’s ability to support a heavy structure. Soil tests also help with determining the efficacy of a septic system and where to locate it.

Proper site preparation requires a variety of steps to be taken to determine the quality of a site for construction. It provides the best information on how desirable a site is for building.