Constructing a building from the ground up is a satisfying but monumental task. After purchasing a plot of land, you will need land-clearing services to level the ground and prepare the area for the construction project. However, a lot more goes into land clearing than removing vegetation and flattening the ground.
HECK Services can help you get your Brookhaven, MS, project off to a great start. Learn what goes into site preparation and how to choose the best service provider in your area below.
Understanding Regulations and Permits
Site preparation begins with ensuring your building plans follow local laws and regulations. If you break ground before you get permission from the municipal or state government, you could face expensive fines and project deconstruction, putting your construction plans back in square one. Find out what the city and state laws say about:
- Zoning requirements: Local laws typically have specific zoning requirements that determine how a property owner can or cannot use the property. For example, the municipal government might limit some commercial properties if they are located near residential communities.
- Permit acquisitions: Permits give you the go-ahead to break ground on the project. Property owners must provide detailed construction plans to obtain permits and follow their plans to the letter.
- Environmental regulations: Many geographic areas host specific ecosystems that support native wildlife. Some local governments protect these ecosystems by regulating how and where property owners build.
- Other restrictions: Local laws might also subject you to further restrictions to protect the workers, future occupants, and neighboring properties. Municipal agencies might put these extra measures in place to keep local water sources clean, ensure safe work conditions, and promote building stability later on.
Collecting all necessary permits can take a year or more, depending on how well you understand the system. Land clearing services can help shorten this time frame.
Scheduling a Site Visit
In order to gather your approved permits, you might need to plan several site visits with local agencies and service providers. All parties involved can survey the property and gather information about the land’s qualities. Some appointments might involve:
- An ecosystem inventory: You can’t just fire up the bush hogs and earth movers without determining which plants and trees support local ecosystems. Forestry experts will likely identify crucial flora before you begin vegetation removal.
- Soil and water analysis: You need to know what lies beneath the ground’s surface before land-clearing services commence. Otherwise, you could construct your building atop a surface that might gradually sink.
- Land surveying: A land survey provides a visual of your property boundaries and geographic features. It can familiarize you with the property’s usable qualities.
- Drainage and erosion planning: Before you begin obstacle clearing, you need a solid drainage plan to prevent excessive erosion. Many trees, rocks, and other features hold the land in place.
Your permits and visit results ultimately depend on the company providing your land-clearing services. Therefore, hiring the right service provider is arguably the most important aspect of your project.
Choosing the Right Land Clearing Company
So, how can you identify a fully equipped, highly experienced land-clearing company for your construction project? When vetting service providers, ask about these integral subjects:
- Equipment selection: Most land clearing projects require heavy-duty machinery to remove trees, clear brush, and expose the soil. The team members should possess appropriate licensing to efficiently operate these machines.
- Clearing strategies: Your chosen company should be familiar with various techniques, including manual, mechanical, combination, and specialized tactics.
- Safety precautions: Do your preferred candidates have safety measures they’ll enact to protect crew members, site visitors, and nearby properties? You should also request proof of insurance before breaking ground.
- Infrastructure considerations: Ask your candidates about how they plan to integrate access points for utility connections and roadways. You need an accessible, modernized building for the project to yield success.
- Waste management: Land clearing produces lots of waste. Look for companies that recycle and reuse waste products where possible and otherwise choose proper disposal methods.
When you ask the right questions, you’ll quickly identify the best candidate for the job. Ideally, a land clearing company should effortlessly supply common-sense answers and show you their ideas using surveys and maps.
Planning Ahead for Utilities and Infrastructure
Asking for access details during the vetting process is just the tip of the iceberg. Once your project is fully underway, your land-clearing company should polish those details. A well-rounded strategy for connecting utilities and roadways includes grading and leveling for water management and flattening surfaces for foundations and parking lots.
You also need exceptional erosion control to maintain surface integrity and protect the building’s structural stability. Otherwise, erosion could flush paved surfaces or expose underground plumbing or electrical connections.
Land clearing services are incredibly complex. The experts from HECK Services are here to help you navigate the process. Call 601-440-2527 for a free service estimate on your project.
