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Professional Site Preparation in Oregon & Washington

RDL Construction provides comprehensive site preparation services throughout Oregon and Washington. Our experienced team prepares your property for successful construction through expert grading, soil stabilization, compaction, and site improvements that establish the optimal foundation for your project.
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Home foundation construction in the Pacific Northwest

Service Overview

Our site preparation services transform raw land into construction-ready building sites through comprehensive planning and implementation.

At RDL Construction, we understand that thorough site preparation is critical for long-term project success. Our team creates properly prepared building sites through strategic grading, appropriate compaction, and essential improvements that address site-specific challenges and requirements.

Our site preparation services include:

  • Comprehensive site analysis
  • Topographic surveying
  • Cut and fill balancing
  • Precise grading and leveling
  • Soil stabilization
  • Subgrade preparation
  • Compaction testing
  • Temporary access roads
  • Staging area creation
  • Drainage improvement
  • Erosion control systems
  • Water management
  • Soil amendment
  • Utility corridor preparation

Why Choose RDL Construction

Our approach to site preparation combines technical knowledge with practical construction expertise to create building sites that support successful projects.

  • Engineering Integration: We work closely with geotechnical and civil engineers to implement site-specific preparation requirements
  • Drainage Focus: We establish proper site drainage patterns that prevent future water problems
  • Compaction Expertise: We achieve appropriate soil density through proper compaction techniques and equipment
  • Quality Verification: We utilize testing and verification to ensure preparation meets specifications and standards

As a full-service contractor with specialized concrete experience, we bring comprehensive building knowledge to site preparation. This ensures that your site is prepared specifically for the construction that will follow, particularly foundation work and structural elements.

Our Site Preparation Process

We follow a systematic approach to site preparation that addresses all aspects of transforming raw land into a construction-ready building site.

1. Comprehensive Site Assessment
We begin with a thorough evaluation of your property, analyzing topography, soil conditions, drainage patterns, and existing features. This assessment identifies site-specific challenges and opportunities.

2. Strategic Planning & Engineering
Our team develops a site preparation plan that addresses grading, drainage, soil stabilization, and other requirements. We integrate engineering specifications and balance practical considerations with technical requirements.

3. Initial Site Development
We implement erosion control, establish site access, and create staging areas for efficient construction. These preliminary steps establish the infrastructure needed for effective site preparation.

4. Precise Grading & Contouring
Our skilled operators create proper grades and contours according to plans, establishing drainage patterns and building pad elevations. This critical phase shapes the site for proper function and construction support.

5. Subgrade Preparation & Stabilization
We prepare subgrade materials with appropriate compaction and stabilization methods based on soil conditions and structural requirements. This foundation layer is essential for structural support.

6. Quality Verification & Documentation
We conduct testing to verify compaction, drainage, and other specifications have been met. Proper documentation of site preparation creates a record for future reference and demonstrates compliance with requirements.

Popular FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is proper site preparation important for construction projects?
Thorough site preparation directly impacts both construction efficiency and long-term building performance. Properly prepared sites prevent costly issues including: differential settlement that can cause structural damage; drainage problems leading to water intrusion and erosion; soil expansion/contraction that stresses foundations; and construction delays from unstable work surfaces. In the Pacific Northwest's variable soils and wet climate, site preparation is particularly critical. Studies show that approximately 60% of structural issues can be traced back to inadequate site preparation. Our comprehensive approach addresses all aspects of site readiness, creating an optimal foundation for construction.
How do you handle drainage issues during site preparation?
Our approach to drainage combines both surface and subsurface water management. For surface drainage, we establish appropriate slopes (typically 2-5% away from structures) and swales that direct water away from building areas. For subsurface concerns, we install appropriate foundation drainage systems, curtain drains, or French drains based on soil conditions and water table levels. In clay soils common to parts of Oregon and Washington, we often incorporate granular drainage layers to prevent water accumulation. During planning, we analyze the entire site's watershed characteristics to develop comprehensive drainage solutions that work with natural water patterns.
What is the difference between site preparation and excavation?
While related, site preparation and excavation serve different functions. Excavation specifically involves removing soil and materials to create space for foundations, basements, utilities, or other elements—essentially digging out specific areas. Site preparation is more comprehensive, involving multiple processes to create a construction-ready property, including: grading to establish proper elevations and slopes; soil stabilization to improve bearing capacity; compaction to prevent settlement; drainage improvements; erosion control; and access development. Most construction projects require both services, with excavation typically being one component of complete site preparation.
How do you determine appropriate compaction requirements for different sites?
Compaction requirements vary based on several factors: the type of structure being built (commercial buildings typically require higher compaction than residential); soil composition (different soil types have different optimal compaction ranges); anticipated loads; and local building code requirements. We typically work with geotechnical reports that specify required compaction levels, usually expressed as a percentage of Proctor density (85-95% for residential projects, 95%+ for commercial). We achieve these specifications using appropriate equipment selection (vibratory plates for granular soils, sheepsfoot rollers for clay soils) and proper lift thickness. We verify compaction through field testing to ensure requirements are met before construction proceeds.