Before you start building a home, ADU, garage, or commercial space, you need to prepare the site.
Proper site preparation provides your foundation with the stability it needs, maintains drainage control, and helps you avoid costly issues in the future.
At Betz Works, we bring decades of experience in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties to every job.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get your land construction-ready.
Key Takeaways
- Site preparation includes land clearing, demolition, grading, excavation, trenching, compaction, and drainage systems.
- Santa Cruz and Monterey sites require knowledge of local soil conditions, coastal erosion risk, and municipal regulations.
- Call Betz Works for complete site prep services in Santa Cruz, Monterey & Santa Clara Counties, including grading, excavation, soil compaction, and utility trenching: 831-400-8466.
What is Site Preparation?
Site preparation involves modifying raw land to support safe, code-compliant construction.
This process includes clearing vegetation and debris, demolishing structures, reshaping the land through grading, compacting soil, and digging trenches for utilities.
Proper site prep ensures structural integrity, eliminates water pooling, and meets California building codes.
How to Prepare a Construction Site: Step-by-Step
Site work requires skill, experience, proper equipment, and a solid understanding of local codes, which is why it’s best left to licensed contractors like Betz Works.
Here’s our site preparation checklist:
1. Site Evaluation and Surveying
Before anything is cleared or moved, the site must be thoroughly evaluated.
We start by surveying the land to determine its topography, boundaries, and natural drainage.
This includes assessing the soil composition, checking for any existing utilities or easements, and identifying potential access points for equipment.
Using advanced tools like GPS and laser levels, we also mark out the exact building footprint and utility lines to ensure everything is positioned correctly from the start.
Site evaluation also includes checking for permitting requirements in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties and ensuring all surveying aligns with local building department guidelines.
2. Clearing and Demolition
Next, we remove anything that could obstruct construction.
This includes vegetation, trees, stumps, rocks, brush, old fences, trash, and even demolishing existing structures like sheds, garages, or outdated homes.
We separate debris and haul it off or recycle it in accordance with California environmental regulations.
For sloped lots, especially in areas like Aptos, Capitola, and Carmel, we take extra care during clearing to avoid disturbing natural drainage patterns or increasing erosion risk.
3. Soil Testing
Before grading or excavation begins, soil testing determines if the ground can support heavy equipment, structural loads, and long-term building stability.
Tests check for key factors like:
- Bearing capacity: Can the soil hold the weight of the structure without shifting or sinking?
- Soil type: Sandy, clay-heavy, rocky, or loamy soils all behave differently under pressure and moisture.
- Slope stability: On hillside lots, unstable ground may increase the risk of erosion or landslides.
- Water table depth: High groundwater levels can lead to drainage issues or basement leaks over time.
- Liquefaction risk: In earthquake-prone areas, some soils may lose strength during seismic activity.
- Obstructions: Buried debris, old footings, or utilities may pose hazards during excavation.
4. Earthwork, Excavation, and Grading
Once the land is cleared, we reshape it to match your construction plans.
This phase includes excavation for foundations, basements, or utility trenches, and grading the land to reach the correct elevation and slope.
Using precise grading equipment, we contour the terrain to direct water away from future structures, preventing drainage issues before they start.
In Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, we adapt grading methods for local soil types like sandy loam or clay, and use precise techniques on coastal or sloped lots to prevent erosion and protect foundations.
5. Soil Compaction and Stabilization
Soil conditions vary across the region, from sandy loam near the coast to heavier clay inland, and we tailor our compaction approach based on the specific needs of your property.
We compact the soil using vibratory rollers or compactors to ensure full densification and avoid air voids.
If the soil is too loose or unsuitable for building, we stabilize it using engineered fill, gravel, or geotextile fabric to meet structural and permitting requirements.
6. Utility Trenching and Drainage Installation
Next, we prepare for underground utilities.
We handle coordination with local utility authorities to ensure everything meets code.
We dig and install trenches for water, sewer, storm drains, electric, and gas lines, ensuring proper depth and slope.
We also install drainage systems like French drains, catch basins, or perforated pipe systems to manage runoff and prevent future erosion.
7. Erosion Control and Final Layout
Protecting the site from erosion is especially important on the California coast and hillside properties.
We follow regional erosion control standards to protect the environment and prevent runoff on sensitive coastal or sloped terrain.
We install erosion control features such as silt fences, straw wattles, and sediment traps to stay compliant with local and state codes.
Finally, we re-mark all pad corners, elevation points, and setback lines based on surveyor data, so construction can proceed without delays or misalignments.
How Proper Site Prep Protects Your Project
- Prevents Foundation Problems: Correct grading and compaction stop cracking, shifting, and settling.
- Improves Drainage: Keeps water from pooling near footings or slabs.
- Controls Erosion: Essential on sloped lots in areas like Aptos and Carmel.
- Passes Inspections: Meets Santa Cruz and Monterey County codes for grading and trenching.
- Avoids Delays: Reduces rework, failed inspections, and costly setbacks.
Need Expert Site Preparation? Let Betz Works Get Your Land Construction-Ready
Betz Works provides full-service site preparation across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties.
From site evaluation and grading to utility trenching and erosion control, we handle every step with precision and local code expertise, backed by decades of experience.
Call 831-400-8466 or request a free estimate online.
FAQ
How long does site preparation take?
Typical timelines are 2–7 days, depending on lot size, terrain, and scope of work.
Do you have a safety plan for site preparation?
Yes. A site-specific safety plan is created to protect workers during excavation, grading, and the use of heavy equipment.
It outlines known hazards, required protective gear, safety procedures, emergency contacts, and any previous site risks.
How much does site preparation cost?
Site preparation costs vary depending on factors like site size, soil type, access, and project requirements. For a clear, customized estimate, contact Betz Works to schedule a site visit.