Clearing way for your new home

Image by mac231 from Pixabay

So you've bought a property and you are ready to start building your dream house. Have you decided where your house will sit on the property? What's in the way? Trees, old buildings? What must be moved before construction of your new home begins?
​You need to clear the area to make way for your new home. Do you just get a bulldozer in to smash everything down and clear it out the way of construction? Do you flatten the whole site?

Clearing space for your new home – not simply sending a bulldozer in

Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay

​Clearing the construction site could involve:

• Demolishing existing structures. Demolition company tore down the wrong house, said it was a mistake
• Removing vegetation. It’s important to clearly mark trees that shouldn’t be removed and fence off vegetation which you don’t want damaged. A bulldozer or excavator can do big damage in a few seconds when your back’s turned. Vegetation can be chipped and mulched and stockpiled to use as compost and mulch for landscaping at the end of the project.
• Stripping topsoil. In general, topsoil is the top layer of the ground suitable for plants to grow in, which could be between 50mm and 200mm thick (two to eight inches). It isn’t suitable under houses and roads and must be removed, and shouldn’t be used for filling in trenches. Topsoil is usually a valuable commodity and should be separated from construction debris and other soil. Good topsoil is essential for landscaping and sufficient quantities should be stockpiled on the property (space providing) to be spread in new garden areas when all building work is complete. Importing new topsoil is expensive, plus there’s the cost of carting away the material stripped from your property. Stockpiles of topsoil on the property may need to be protected so it isn’t washed away by rain, possibly blocking stormwater drains, or being carried onto neighbouring properties or roads where it must be cleaned up. Excess good topsoil could even be sold, or given away free providing people cart it away at no cost to you. See also Levelling an area for your house  for more useful information.
• Removing any obstructions and impediments to the project work.  

Do not flatten the wrong things

It's easy to send a bulldozer in and clear everything on your property. But you will have additional costs to remove everything you smashed down on the property - stuff that could have, or should have remained in place. You could later regret the trees that were destroyed, or the good top soil that you paid to be carted from the project, top soil and trees that you wish you had to establish your new garden. Of course as we said in our previous article you definitely don't want to be building on top soil or vegetation, which won't provide a good foundation for your home.

Other Useful articles
Steps to constructing your new house. Part 1
​Are You Building On Toxic Land?
Choosing Your Property – Where to Build

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.
​© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

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​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
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