The Step by Step Process for Construction Site Preparation

What is Site Preparation in Construction?

Site preparation is an activity that should be done accordingly for other construction activities to commence. The failure and success of site preparation set the condition and the tone for other construction activities executed on-site. The definition of site preparation is already enough to demonstrate the value of this activity to building construction. Also, deploying a construction schedule software is highly recommended as it also has given higher importance during the process.

Furthermore, site preparation is also defined as a set of activities and tasks before engineers commence work. For instance, if new building projects need to be executed on a site that partially served as a gym house, the old building must be removed. By doing so, a new building will be erected, and preparing the site is made easy.

Steps Involved in Site Preparation for Construction Projects

When site preparation is done correctly, all activities are straightforward. If constructing a building needs to be done in a specific place with tons of underground pipes, preparing the site is necessary. By having the site ready, contractors are helped in knowing where to dig and where not to dig. It will prevent any issues related to underground pipe bursting. Implementing project management for construction is equally crucial because it lessens possible mistakes and delays that can lead to costly reworks.

Below are the five necessary steps involved in implementing a site preparation for construction projects. 

1. Site Clearing 

Clearing the site is the very first step in site preparation. The entire site must be in a graded and cleared condition. The case involves the demolishing of buildings, the removal of trees, and eliminating any underground infrastructures. These obstacles should not hinder in the first place because it might affect the future building process. Completing the project might also at risk if clearing the site is not successful. Hence, it must be prioritized once and for all.

2. Site Surveying

You might not be sure if you are building on the right block if survey pegs do not determine the building block. A surveyor is responsible for surveying the site and lining out the exact area where the road project or structures to be built. The process for surveying land might not be an option but is mostly a requirement zoning and permitting processes. Besides, surveying is the translation of the contractor’s set of plans into an actual representation of the project site.

3. Soil testing 

Testing the soil is one of the most critical tasks that have to be done before the site is procured. The soil’s main composition should be determined to test the ability to absorb water and examine the ability to withstand structure. The site engineer must insist on doing all necessary soil testing procedures before commencing any structural tasks. 

If the soil at the site isn’t suitable enough for future projects, there might be no other choice but to look for another site that has soil appropriate for the projects. A chart showcasing the different classes of soil is outlined below:

· Class A (Acceptable): mostly the rocks and sand have no little or no ground movement

· Class S (Satisfactory): slightly reactive clay sites that only have little ground movement

· Class M (Moderate): Moderately slit sites or reactive clay that can experience moderate ground movement 

· Class H1 and H2 (Highly reactive): Clay sites are highly reactive that it can experience higher ground movement

· Class E (Extreme): Extremely reactive sites that are prone to experiencing extreme ground movement

· Class P (Problem): Sites that include softer soils like a slit or soft clay. Soil is subject to erosion, which cannot be classified otherwise.

4. Site Plan Design

After doing the soil testing, all necessary septic tanks and drainage should be installed. The next step will be modifying the design to indicate the placement of fixtures and septic tanks. Additionally, there should also be a permanent record of the areas located underground. A construction site is considered a living and breathing thing. Hence, it changes every single day as the water tank’s placements slightly change. Underground rock formations often cause changes. The use of a crew scheduler superior is proven to be a helpful tool during site plan design.

Moreover, the site plan shows all newly developed access roads for temporary storage areas and construction vehicles. The site plan also depicts where the building must be placed after it is constructed. Unlike any other steps taken during site preparation, revisions are carried out in the office, and the site plan is always updated in the field. 

5. Site Investigation

Geotechnical site investigation is performed to characterized rock, soil, and groundwater condition of any proposed sites. A geotechnical site investigation is defined as evaluating site conditions and collecting data to construct and design the foundation of a structure. Parking lot, bridges, roads, and buildings are some of the typical samples.

Well-planned management and strategy of a geotechnical site investigation is the primary key in acquiring correct site information. This data is generally used for structure designing with minimum surprises for effort and estimates need. The preparation of reports and collection of geotechnical data must be considered in the following three stages. Take a look below:

· The project definition is usually prepared by the respective owner in conjunction with the architect. Thus, the project definition is expected to consist of engineering/architectural foundation criteria such as settlement and loading. 

· The chosen geotechnical consultant must conduct project evaluation and preliminary site for the site investigations. It often consists of initial site reviews of past geotechnical investigations. This consensus by the owners and initial assessment is used to develop the proposed geotechnical site investigations’ details.

· This site investigation can also determine if the building phase is done in 1-2 steps. A preliminary site visit is included by a particular geotechnical engineer and a groundwater expert. Both experts must have the practical experience to obtain visible data and performance information.

How long does it take to prepare a site for construction?

The plans are finally approved, and all of the assessments are completed as well – construction is near to begin! So how long is site preparation? For most residential building projects, site preparation will take between 1-2 months. For multi-commercial projects, the timeline can be a little bit longer, depending on the project size. The construction stage includes the following:

· Site preparation (site clearing, site surveying, soil testing, designing of site plan and site investigation)

· Acquiring essential appraisals and building permits

· Exterior construction (foundation, roofing, framing, electrical, grading, and landscaping)

· Interior construction (drywall & insulation, trim, and cabinets, floors and painting)

Before construction begins, it is crucial to establish several essential services and tools to accommodate visiting project stakeholders and participating crew. Below are some useful services and advanced tools needed onsite:

· Construction crew scheduling software for project management

· Job trailer(s)

· Temporary electricity hookup for public utility

· Temporary portable water and accessible generator

· Portable toilets and water connection to city pipes

· Water tower for construction water

· Temporary pond for construction water

Depending on the density and the size of the construction projects, the timeline often varies. That is why contractors have to consider timely decision making from any of their clients. Doing so will make the work easier, and timelines are analyzed thoroughly. Having the right and skilled team is considered a fundamental aspect of a successful build.