3 Activities That Are Part of Construction Site Preparation

20 December 2021
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

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If you have purchased land and are hoping to start the construction process on a home or business, you will need to become familiar with the ins and outs of site preparation. Site preparation is a general term used to describe all of the activities that take place on your land prior to the start of the actual construction process.

When you understand the many components of proper site preparation, you will be prepared to accommodate these activities when planning your construction budget and timeline.

1. Establish Site and Perimeter Access

Construction can't begin if equipment and materials are unable to reach your land. Most site preparation activities start with establishing both site and perimeter access. Site access will include things like establishing a functional roadway, widening existing roadways to accommodate heavy equipment, and removing any shrubs or vegetation that may block access to the construction site.

Perimeter access ensures that people and equipment can access all parts of your site once they have arrived. Activities associated with establishing perimeter access can include removing trees, identifying utility lines, and eliminating boulders or other obstacles from the site.

2. Create Proper Drainage

Water management is an important part of any construction project. You don't want your construction site to flood when it rains, and you want to prevent erosion from compromising the stability of the soil on your construction site. Drainage is an issue that should be addressed during site preparation.

Taking the time to install culverts, reroute running water, and alter the topography of the construction site to maximize drainage before you begin to build will ensure the safety and integrity of your building over time.

3. Excavate the Site

Excavation is an integral part of any construction site preparation. The amount of excavation that will be needed to prepare your site will depend on the current condition of the land and your desired building design.

You may just need to clear out weeds, rocks, and shrubs from the land to make room for your building pad. If you are planning to construct a building with a basement, you will need to excavate the area to create room for the basement installation. It can be helpful to work with an experienced excavation company when finalizing your site preparation to ensure your land will be ready for construction crews.

Don't overlook the importance of site preparation when investing in new construction. Good site preparation will ensure that your construction project runs smoothly and is completed on time.