Building a new house should be a liberating experience and proper planning can relieve the mental pressure while leveling anxiety. A myriad of decisions will have to be made, but once the building plans and paperwork are completed, it’s time to go to work. Let’s focus on site preparation.
The Value of Proper Site Preparation
Site preparation is usually the initial step that is needed to begin the construction process. This is where the construction area is cleared, leveled and made ready for the foundation. A proper foundation is crucial to building a solid and long lasting home.
Clearing away obstructions means removing all the obstacles from the construction area. Trees, shrubbery, garbage and anything else that should be hauled away should be removed from the premises. Any clean topsoil that is to be used for leveling can be collected for that purpose.
Many seasoned contractors create a construction layout that marks out the location and position of the various sections of the construction site. The position of the building’s trench lines, the storage and equipment areas, as well as any other spot for materials are designated from the start. This often includes entrance and exit areas for heavy machinery. Now the team can get the slab formed.
Constructing the Pad for the Foundation
The pad is the concrete house slab that forms the foundation of the building. Building the pad for the house will often require heavy equipment and experienced personnel. All holes should be filled in preparation for the leveling process. The area designated for the building will need to be leveled flat and raised for the concrete pad.
After preparing the dirt properly by compacting the soil, the contractors will build the concrete pad to ensure stability and strength. Wood framing (the formwork) is constructed first once the area is dug down to the require depth. The frame is filled with crushed rock which is then compacted by machine.
Once the leveling and compacting is completed, the concrete is poured. This step also requires leveling and compacting to ensure that the surface is completely flat and level. Finally, the concrete is polished smooth. Laying the concrete slab foundation represents a major benchmark in the construction process. There are plenty of concrete pavers in Melbourne you can approach for smooth functioning of your building plan.
Organizing the Construction Project
Residential construction contractors will often work with a set of timelines and benchmarks to ensure that all the proper steps are completed on a set schedule. They will use checklists, inventory forms for materials, tools and construction equipment. Fencing or boundaries and signs will often be erected to ensure safety and security.
Some municipalities will require boundary line pillars or other means of securing the site from public access. This is to ensure safety when excavation and trenching for sewer lines or power lines is underway.
Proper site preparation is important because it can avoid future problems. For example, trees that must be cleared ahead of the construction will need to be completely removed to avoid problems with roots. The right preparation also aids in site safety.