Have you ever wondered what has to happen to prepare a site for a house to be built on? There is a lot of prep work to ensure the property is properly rated and suitable for your new home.

Once you have found the perfect place to build your house, the builder will begin by clearing the land. Any trees or shrubs will need to 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 simply felling a tree or cutting down a plant. All roots will need to be pulled out, 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. Additionally, trees help remove pollutants from the air and re-add oxygen. 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 dirt in one place 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. It may be necessary to bring in some additional soil if the ground is not as solid as it should be. Heavy machinery will be deployed to firm up 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 pouring crew knows where the foundation needs to go. It is important to find out the topography of the land, in case your house has to be stepped on the slope. Your contractor can also go ahead and pour your driveway while the concrete truck is there.

Public services come later. You will see the contractor lay the lines for electricity, water, natural gas and sewer. If there is no sewer connectivity in the area, you will see them dig a space for the septic tank.

If the plans require a base, it will be excavated and levelled. 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 decide to build your home on the side of a hill, the contractor may be controlling erosion on the property, so you don’t accidentally run into your neighbors.

While it takes a lot of prep work to lay the groundwork for a home, attention to detail and good planning will make it all smooth and successful.