Have you ever wondered what needs to happen to prepare a site for a house to be built on it? There is a lot of prep work to ensure that the property is properly classified and suitable for your new home.
Once you have found the perfect place to build your house, the construction company will begin by clearing the land. Any trees or shrubs must be removed if they fall within the site plan for the house. Sometimes you can design the house around an existing plant, for example if you have a historic tree in your garden. For any plant that is removed, there is more work involved than just felling a tree or cutting down a plant. All the roots will need to be dug up, so there may be some digging involved.
Before you fell a tree, think about how much shade it can provide. This can really mean a big reduction in cooling costs during the summer. Also, trees help remove pollutants from the air and add oxygen back in. They serve as places for animals and birds to nest and raise their young. This can be a lot of fun to watch in the spring.
Once the land is cleared, the contractor must go out to compact and level the land. This may involve picking up soil in one location and moving it to another part of the property. Any soil that can be relocated will save you transportation fees. The contractor will then create the foundation trenches on which the house will sit. Some additional soil may need to be brought in if the soil is not as solid as it should be. Heavy machinery will be deployed to firm the ground and dig the trenches.
Next is the time to mount the stakes that will indicate the location of the corners of the house. They will do this so the concrete pour crew knows where the footings need to go. It is important to find out the topography of the land, in case your house has to be stepped on the hillside. Your contractor can also go ahead and pour your driveway while the concrete truck is there.
Utilities come later. You will see the contractor lay out the electricity, water, natural gas, and sewer lines. If there is no sewer connectivity in the area, you will see them dig a space for the septic tank.
If the plans call for a foundation, it will be excavated and leveled. This will be the time to make sure there are no drainage issues. The last thing you want is a wet foundation that’s always dripping.
If you choose to have your home built on the side of a hill, the contractor may be controlling erosion on the property, so you don’t end up inadvertently bumping into your neighbors.
While it takes a lot of prep work to prepare the ground for a home, attention to detail and good planning will make everything smooth and successful.
