When breaking ground on your property, be it for a new pool, a hot tub or perhaps even for adding a new structure, there are some things you have to get right first. Making plans and completing the purchase of materials is one thing, and it is likely that you are itching to get started with the dig. Before grabbing the shovel and getting started with the excavation work however, there is a lot that you have to be conscious of, and here is a checklist which will keep you on the right track.

The 811 Call 

Utility locating is an essential part of the planning process, and it must be done before you break ground. Running into a gas or water line could cause you serious problems, so checking first is important. Thankfully there is a great service which you can use, and simply dialing 811 will connect you to a local agency who will send someone out to survey the site and locate the lines for you. 

Visiting The Site 

No matter how great your plans and mapping looks, your builder should always visit the site before ground is broken. Even in the modern day, where we can send videos and high quality imaging, it is not until they actually visit the site that they will be able to get a feel for the project and work out any kinks, such as sloping ground or water run-off issues. Also if you have any questions for the builder, it is better to speak to your builder on the property about these queries. 

Testing The Soil 

The quality and the type of your soil is of huge importance when embarking on a new project, and it is critical that you have it tested before breaking ground. This must be carried out by a qualified engineer, and they will test how the soil reacts when compacted, as well as performing a perc test. The perc test involves making a hole in the earth and filling it with water, to see how it reacts to moisture. These tests will give you the peace of mind and they will also make sure that your builder knows exactly how best to go about the project at hand.  

Building Code

Even if you have been highly detailed with you planning, it is always worth making one last check of the building code before you break ground for your new project. If any rule or regulation has been missed during the planning stage then you will find that the job could easily be set back as a result, which is going to be both frustrating and expensive. Small details matter when it comes to building code which is why making this last check is going to be a worthwhile task. 

As exciting as you may be to get the job started, be sure that you have checked out these details before you scoop up that first chunk of earth.