Breaking ground on a building project is a huge accomplishment. You’re expanding your business and opening opportunities to gain more clients. If this is your first domestic or residential project, you’re in for a bit of a learning curve. Doing things like this is a bit different than building commercial properties. Everything about the process is done on a varying scale. Your use of materials may shift, as well as your measurements, and the time it takes to complete the project.

You’re also dealing with a different type of clientele. Instead of working with a business and meeting their corporate needs, you’re working with individuals and adhering to their requests. It’s more about customization and a sense of style than productivity and functionality. You’re making a home instead of a place of business.

There is a major shift in planning and preparing the area for your project, and a few things need to be taken care of before you can start on the framework.

Clear The Lot

You need to have space to build. Some lots that are purchased for a home are covered in brush or trees. Some locations still have rubble and debris from the last building that was on the property. This usually depends on who you’re building the home for. Families usually buy a plot of land that is heavily wooded and hasn’t been used for any residential projects. Suburb builders are typically going to buy old commercial plots or sites that have been built on previously.

Talk with your client and find out how much of the land surveyors they’re wanting to build on. Most clients want some of their property to remain untouched, wooded acres for yard space or amenity projects like garages, sheds, barns, or pools. Be as specific as possible in the blueprint so you know how much of the area you’re clearing for the foundation of the home.

You’ll need the right equipment to clear the lot. It takes quite a bit of work depending on the type of materials you’ll be dealing with. You will likely be cutting down and moving trees, ripping up grassy areas, or redistributing soil. It’s best to use a forklift to get everything out of the way. You can purchase different materials like a forklift attachment to move trailers that may be present on the property or containers filled with debris. This will help you get everything moved and resituated so you can get started on building your foundation.

Ask your client where they want the cleared materials to go. Some people may want to hang onto the lumber or dirt for another project, and there may be salvageable materials from the previous project.

Have The Site Evaluated

When beginning your project, you need to make sure you have everything in place. All building projects come with their own specific sets of permits, certifications, and regulations, you need to make sure everything is up to date.

Check the qualifications for the area you’re building in, and make sure that area accepts your credentials. You don’t want to get started on a project and then find out that you’re not allowed to be building in that area. This can result in your losing money or your project being put on hold until you can get the proper credentials.

The next thing you need to do is have the land evaluated. You need to know what type of foundation you’re working with and what, if any, type of reinforcement is needed. The last thing you want is your foundation cracking or caving in because it wasn’t properly supported. This evaluation will also help determine how deep your foundation needs to be dug.

You should also have a survey done of the property so that you know where your boundaries are. This will help avoid any issues with your neighbors or their property during construction.

Have It Planned Out

After you’ve cleared the land and had it evaluated, you need to start planning your build. This is where you bring in your architect or designer. They will help you plan the layout of the house and determine what type of foundation you need.

This is also where you start getting into the nitty-gritty of the project. You need to decide on materials, how many rooms, what type of finishes, and all of the other details that go into a home. It’s important to have a clear idea of what your client wants before starting construction.

You should also have a timeline for the project so that you can keep yourself on track. Nothing is worse than falling behind schedule because you didn’t plan properly.

Start Building

Now that you’ve cleared the land, had it evaluated, and planned everything out, you’re finally ready to start building. This is where all of your hard work will pay off and you can start seeing your project come to life.

If you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to successfully preparing a lot for building a home.