Site Preparation and Lot Clearing

Site Preparation

V&V sets the stage for successful construction.  V&V employs the most cost-efficient and environmentally conscious site-prep methods available.  We combine the best conventional excavation and erosion control practices with new technologies such as digital mapping and forestry mulching.  We will happily work with your builder or contractor to create the most usable and cost effective environment for your new home.

Do Not Make Site Preparation Mistakes

Site prep is an expensive and often poorly considered component of the construction process.  Ultimately site preparation will be a big determining factor for many of your new home’s essential features, including: foundation integrity, correct drainage, access, usability and landscaping.  It is not enough to simply rely upon the expertise of your builder or accuracy of your site plans.  You need qualified and skillful professionals to assist you in planning and executing your site prep.  Mistakes are difficult and expensive to fix once your new home is constructed. Sadly, a huge proportion of our excavation work consists of fixing mistakes of others including, removing large trees fatally damaged during initial site prep, repairing and re-doing driveways, altering incorrect drainages, stabilizing slopes etc.

Proper Site Preparation Planning Saves Time and Money

Take your site preparation seriously!  Poor site prep can ruin the appeal and livability of an otherwise attractive home, as well as needlessly damaging surrounding habitats.  We recommend homeowners steer clear of contractors who make short shrift of site prep.  The practice of presenting house plans without full elevations, although common, can contribute to significant cost overruns.  We recommend that our clients have a fully prepared set of engineer approved site elevation drawings where applicable.  This includes nearly all site preparation to be done on mountainous terrain. 

There are numerous possibilities for every site, each demanding careful consideration. The home should “fit” into the new environment.  This fit is largely determined by your site prep planning and execution.  Whenever possible design your home to take advantage of natural land contours so that dirt work and costs are minimalized.  Make sure your contractor has an approved erosion control plan.  Delays during construction inevitably come out of the homeowners pocket.  If you would like to learn more about site preparation please read our article in the 2012 WNC Green Builders Directory.

Benefits of Mulch Clearing for Site Preparation

In recent years all Southeastern states have tightened permitting and regulations related to conventional land clearing. In many municipalities disturbing more than a quarter acre of topsoil requires a permit. Nearly all open burning is now restricted or prohibited. Developers and homeowners alike are fully aware of the costs and hassles associated with clearing in restricted communities and subdivisions. Yet, while the costs of conventional scrape and burn/haul practices (biomass removal) continues to rise, new technology is rapidly replacing them - mulch clearing.  Mulch clearing is often an excellent compliment to conventional site prep and lot clearing. First, mulching equipment literally reduces biomass to mulch making its own tractable footing as it goes. The delicate topsoil layer is left undisturbed so footprints can often be drastically reducedl. Second, there is no burning or hauling and no need to seed immediately. The mulch provides an attractive finished look, which both stabilizes soils and retards re-growth. For builders, this is a godsend, as areas outside construction footprints are protected from erosion.

Mulching for Lot Access and Fire Prevention

For clients who simply want to access their lots, whether for real estate purposes, site planning, or recreation there is no better means available. For those concerned about fire prevention, mulch clearing quickly reduces “ladder fuels” like vines, brush and dead fall, to safe and beneficial groundcover. Lots can usually be cleared in a day or two, in weather that would shut down bulldozers and track hoes. Furthermore, our mulching equipment is light and agile enough to avoid native flora and "keeper trees", which reduces landscaping costs.  These are often damaged by conventional clearing methods. The landowner is left with a gorgeous finished product without time loss and hidden long term costs. We have mulched dozens of lots without a single unhappy customer. On several occasions customers have even changed their building site locations after the mulching process was completed. We will be glad to discuss your site prep and lot clearing needs.  Call us – we are Clearwater Contractor Certified and have a TDEC Erosion Control inspector on staff.  Our initial consultations are free.