Almost every construction project starts the same way — with an empty plot of land. The average observer might see a ground-breaking ceremony as the first step toward preparing a site for construction, but these are largely just for show. Moving a few shovels of dirt from one pile to another isn’t going to do much.

What does it take to prep a site for construction?

1.Observation

The first step when preparing a construction site is to observe and evaluate it for suitability. This evaluation needs to include details like the size of the site, how it’s orientated, and whether there is any slope for you to contend with.

You also need to pay attention to the climate and the microclimate in your intended area. Climate refers to broad measurements of things like temperature, humidity, and rainfall over at least a year. Microclimate, on the other hand, refers to those same measurements in a very small area — specifically, the area where you want to build.

The kind of weather a given stretch of land experiences will determine the type of structure you’re able to construct and whether the site is suitable in the first place. While it’s possible to build in a flood plain, for example, you want to make sure you’re taking every necessary precaution.

2.Soil Testing

The next step is to test the soil to determine suitability. It’s essential to bring in a geotechnical engineer to determine if the soil can withstand the weight of the proposed building and absorb or drain away any water.

Geotechnical engineering is one of the core disciplines within the broader construction industry, and it focuses on the more analytical side of the job. This expertise will be necessary before any construction project can break ground.

In general, you want a mixture of sand and rock that doesn’t react much to changes in moisture levels. There may also be clay in the mix, but the more clay there is, the more reactive the ground will be when it rains. This could potentially cause problems such as settling, foundation damage, or flooding. In some regions, high clay content could even cause buildings to sink into the ground or trigger landslides, putting both the building and the surrounding area at risk.

3.Clearing or Demolition

The next step in preparing a construction site can go one of two ways, depending on the current state of the site. You either need to clear the land by removing trees and vegetation in the way, or you need to demolish existing structures before you can begin.

Clearing involves removing everything from the site that might be in the way of the project. This includes trees and brush as well as their root systems. Leaving large root systems in the ground, especially those left by trees, can cause settling problems in the future as that organic material decomposes and leaves voids in the soil. You can hire a third-party clearing company to handle this step if you don’t have the equipment on hand. If you do keep a fleet of clearing equipment, ensure that it’s well maintained between jobs to prevent problems once you’re on site. For example, when maintaining your equipment, fluid sampling can help you determine if there are hidden problems you should address before you start heading to the next lot in need of clearing.         

If there are already structures on the site, you'll need to demolish them and remove the debris before you can begin. Depending on the size of the structure, you’ll need to bring in a demolition specialist to make sure no surrounding buildings or properties get damaged by falling debris.

4.Leveling and Grading

With the vegetation or debris out of the way, the next step before you can start to make progress is to level the site. It might look flat to the untrained eye, but it’s likely not level enough to begin construction — at least, not on its own. In addition to removing obvious rises and dips, and packing the soil to make it suitable for construction, you also need to add a grade to the job site.

Grading the site is the process of adding a very gentle slope — not enough that it would affect the structure, but enough that rainfall drains away from the building rather than creating a flooding problem. If there’s to be any landscaping, the plans may call for grading those areas as well to ensure proper drainage and allow for healthy plant growth.

5.Land Surveys

Finally, before you can start pouring your foundation or building a frame, you need a professional survey of the land. Depending on code requirements, you may need to bring in a third-party surveyor to complete the job, but having some surveying equipment and experienced staff can help you fill in some of the gaps during construction. The average construction project already goes up to 20 months over its original schedule, so anything you can do to help cut down those timeline delays is worth the investment.

You may need to file land surveys with your local code enforcement or construction offices, depending on codes and regulations. Make sure you’re in compliance with these laws or you risk costly fines and even costlier delays while you wait for completed surveys.

6.Moving Materials

The last step before you can start construction is to move your materials to the job site so they’re easy to access when you need them but aren’t in the way when you don’t.

Set aside a specific area for materials and supplies so they don’t impinge on your structure or where you’re going to lay your foundation. Make sure you leave enough space for large equipment or trucks, such as those delivering cement, to make their way onto the site as needed. Plan these routes carefully so heavy equipment doesn’t damage your careful leveling and grading.

Looking Forward

Going through these steps to prepare your construction site before you start pouring foundations isn’t optional. You need to ensure the site is suitable for construction, that it will be able to support the weight of your planned building, and that a heavy rainstorm won’t wash it away. Don’t skip these steps when you’re starting your next project and you’ll set your project up for long-term success.

Author: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer in the construction industry and the managing editor of Renovated.