Site preparation is the process that must occur before any construction activity can begin on a property. It involves all of the tasks that get the site ready for new construction to begin.
When proper site preparation occurs, it makes the construction process go much more smoothly, with fewer interruptions.
So, what are the steps involved in site preparation? Here’s a quick overview.
Clearing the site
The very first step in site preparation is always going to be clearing the site. This involves demolishing buildings, removing trees, clearing brush and getting rid of any existing underground infrastructure, such as utilities or foundational work. Teams then grade out the site to make sure it’s ready to go for construction. Getting rid of all of these objects prevents them from becoming obstacles during the building process when it begins. It also makes for a safer construction process, as teams will have thoroughly analyzed the site and handled any potential issues that might have manifested themselves during site clearing.
Surveying
After the property has been cleared, a surveyor will come in to inspect the property and determine exactly where the boundaries are located. The surveying process is the first step in translating the contractor’s plans into an actual physical project site.
Soil testing
Testing the soil is critical for the safety of all construction processes to come. Determining the soil composition is important so construction contractors understand the ground’s ability to absorb water and withstand any structure being placed on top of it. Before any structural work can begin, it’s important that the work crews understand the characteristics of the soil and whether it can safely handle the work without any alterations.
If the soil is not suitable for the projects that will be performed, it might be necessary to look for another site with more appropriate soil that will not have as extreme ground movement. There may also be remedial tasks that can be performed to make the ground safe for work, but this will add some extra expense to the job ahead.
Infrastructure
After soil testing is complete, infrastructure such as utilities, septic tanks and drainage can be added. Next, contractors can alter the design of the project to indicate where those septic tanks and other fixtures are placed, and a permanent record of all underground areas should be created as these changes are made.
This is also the point at which the site plan can be created to show all access roads for temporary storage and construction vehicles, and where the building will be placed upon construction. The site plan will always be updated as needed in the field.
Investigation
Finally, workers will perform geotechnical site investigations to characterize soil, groundwater and rock conditions at the proposed site. This will help determine how the foundation will be designed.
For more information about the basic processes of site preparation that must be completed before construction can begin at a site, reach out to the team at Randy Roan Construction Inc. today.