Getting Your Land Ready the Right Way: Site Preparation by NFRC

When it comes to your construction project, the most critical step is getting the site prepared correctly. With years of experience in this industry, I can tell you that proper preparation makes all the difference in the world. At NFRC, we're not just moving dirt; we're laying the foundation for your success. We take pride in making sure your land is perfectly ready – level, stable, and exactly how it needs to be for your project to thrive. It's about doing the job right, the first time, and that's a commitment we stand by.

Why Choose NFRC for Your Site Preparation?

When you choose North Forty Ranch Construction for your site preparation, you're not just hiring a contractor – you're partnering with a team that cares about getting the job done right. Here's what sets us apart:

Experienced and Skilled Team: We've been doing this for years, and our crew knows the ins and outs of proper site preparation. We're not learning on your dime.

We Handle It All: From clearing away trees and brush to making sure the ground is perfectly graded, we offer a full range of services to get your site ready from start to finish. You won't need to juggle multiple contractors.

The Right Equipment for the Job: We own and maintain a fleet of reliable, high-performance equipment, including bulldozers, excavators, and skid steers. This means we have the right tools to tackle any challenge efficiently and effectively.

We Understand the Rules: We're familiar with local regulations and safety standards, and we ensure your project complies with all requirements.

Quality is Our Priority: We take pride in our work and pay attention to the details. For us, it's not just about moving dirt; it's about creating a solid foundation for your future.

We offer a complete suite of site preparation services to meet all your needs:

Site Evaluation: We have extensive knowledge and vision to see the “big picture” and help eliminate future obstacles such as drainage, landscaping, etc.

Please refer to Land Clearing 101 for a better understanding of what site preparation and evaluations entail.

Land Clearing: We'll remove trees, stumps, brush, and any other obstacles to create a clean slate for your project. This includes options like forestry mulching for a more environmentally friendly approach.

Grading and Excavation: We'll level your land using our integrated laser guided equipment, create proper slopes for drainage, and excavate for foundations, basements, or other underground structures.

Erosion Control: We implement effective measures to prevent soil erosion and protect the surrounding environment.

Soil Stabilization: If your soil needs it, we can employ techniques to improve its stability and load-bearing capacity.

Utility Preparation: We'll prepare the ground and rough-in areas for your water, sewer, and electrical lines.

Compaction and Soil Testing: We ensure the ground is properly compacted to provide a solid base, and we can conduct soil testing to verify its suitability.

Demolition: If there are existing structures on your site that need to go, we can handle the demolition safely and efficiently.

Drainage Solutions: We can design and install effective drainage systems to manage stormwater and prevent water issues.

What is involved in creating a building pad?

A lot! Creating a solid foundation for a building or mobile home takes more than simply spreading some red dirt.

A proper foundation pad removes all top soil and organic material such as roots, debris, etc. That dirt is then replaced with a clean clay/sand soil mixture that has some plasticity and compact-ability.

Foundation pads requiring higher lifts (layers of 6”) will require compacting in between each lift to ensure that the soil is compacted properly. Building pad soil should be compacted to 93-95%. This is often measured using a complicated process reserved for commercial sites. A simple test or determination is to examine the tire marks of a loaded dump truck (~ 50,000 lbs.) as driven over the site. Tires should not leave more than 1/2-3/4” depression (this process is known as Roll Off or Proof Roll test and is often used on commercial sites as well).

Dirt is dirt right?

NO! It’s not uncommon for dirt to be chosen simply based on color vs. actual composition. What the dirt is comprised of makes a HUGE difference. A clay/sand soil mixture that has some plasticity and compact-able will provide the best base for a solid foundation.

Does the "Lay of the Land” matter when considering where I want to build my house?

Yes! If the building site is not level, you may still build the house of your dreams, but additional preparation and planning into the foundation will certainly be a consideration and will usually involve additional costs and materials. House pads that are 2’-3’ (our more) out of level on one end can possibly cost $15K-$20K in dirt alone, not to mention machine and site prep time for the overall foundation. Also, keep in mind erosion and natural water flow as it may play a BIG part in the future landscaping or building structure integrity.

Why is proper Site Preparation so important?

Choosing the right contractor for your building pad is absolutely critical. Think of the pad as the backbone of your building – it's the foundation that everything else rests on. That's why using the proper 'Select Fill' material is non-negotiable in my book.

What is Select Fill? Simply put, it's the material we use to build up that pad. The best Select Fill has just the right mix of sand and clay. This blend is crucial because it allows the material to compact tightly and hold its shape, creating a stable base that will support your building for years to come.

The big problem comes in when the Select Fill is too sandy. If there's too much sand and not enough clay, that material won't compact properly. It can't hold its shape, especially when it gets wet. And when that happens, you're looking at potential foundation issues down the road after your building is up.

Take a look at these photos. You can clearly see exactly what I'm talking about. That sandy Select Fill is washing away from right underneath the foundation. You can see where someone has tried to stop it, but it's a clear sign that this is going to be a continuous headache for the owner. This isn't just a small issue; it can seriously affect the integrity and stability of the entire building over time.

This is why we emphasize using the correct materials and proper compaction at NFRC. Getting the building pad right from the start prevents these kinds of costly and stressful problems in the future. It's an investment in the longevity of your building.

Site selection and preparation are also critically important. Take this site: it was 'cut' into the hillside on one end and 'sloped' on the other. Problem is, both ends have issues that will cause serious trouble for the building later on.

On the 'cut' end, there isn't enough room for proper drainage or easy landscaping upkeep. As the photo shows, water already stands near the foundation, likely causing flooding or moisture damage. Maintaining that steep angle will be nearly impossible for the owner.

The 'sloped' end has a similar issue – it's so steep that erosion will always be a problem, and mowing will be a major headache for the homeowner. Look at these photos; the foundation is too close to that steep edge. This could easily cause irreparable damage to the future home.

These problems likely stem from trying to save money by cutting into the slope rather than bringing in enough fill dirt for proper preparation. But putting the foundation that close to the edge to reduce fill creates a major risk for the home's integrity.