How to Develop Your Newly Purchased Undeveloped Land: Essential Site Development Works
Undeveloped Land
Introduction
Whether you’ve purchased undeveloped land or you’re still in the planning stages, congratulations on starting on a journey filled with cherished memories, unforgettable experiences and endless possibilities!
Whether you’re planning a retirement or a vacation home, both options offer opportunities to immerse yourself in the peaceful embrace of nature. In the fast pace of city life, it’s crucial to pause, take a breath, and cherish moments together with your loved ones.
It’s essential not to lose yourself entirely in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Instead, it’s advisable to create moments for reconnecting with nature, where you’ll find not only comfort but also inspiration for a life well-lived.
Before the construction of our ideal house begins, there’s a crucial phase that sets the stage for everything to come: site development.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps of site development works on your newly acquired, undeveloped land in a rural area. From clearing tall trees and overgrown vegetation to leveling the land and installing necessary utilities, each task is integral to creating the ideal foundation for your future home.
Site development may seem overwhelming, but fear not—we’re here to simplify the process and empower you with the knowledge needed to navigate it successfully. Whether you’re a seasoned property developer or a first-time landowner, understanding the ins and outs of site preparation is key to ensuring a smooth and successful construction journey.
Planning Your Property
On-site Review and Planning
In the journey of developing your recently acquired undeveloped land, the foremost and pivotal phase is meticulous planning. Prior to initiating any site development activities, it is imperative to thoroughly assess the existing site conditions and envision the potential of your property.
With a comprehensive plan in place, you gain insight into crucial aspects of site development, including identifying trees that may require removal, determining the ideal placement for a gravel driveway, and planning the installation of culvert pipes and other utilities.
Site Development Works
Site development is an integral aspect of property development that covers the sitework within and around your property before the construction of your house. These prerequisites serve as a roadmap, guiding you through the process and setting the stage for an efficient construction journey.
Clear Your Property from Trees and Bushes with Land Clearing
Excavators clearing the trees and bushes in the Property
When we purchase undeveloped land, especially in the rural area, we should expect that there will be many trees and bushes within the property. Depending on the vision we have for our property, our approach to land clearing should be thoughtful and strategic.
Preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance should be prioritized while also accommodating our development needs. Instead of indiscriminately cutting down all the trees, we carefully assess each one, considering its significance and role in our landscape. Only those trees that directly affect our development plans are selectively removed.
By adopting this approach, we strive to harmonize progress with environmental sustainability, ensuring that our property remains both thriving and developed in accordance with our vision.
In standard practice, the initial step is taking down the trees leaving behind stumps typically measuring between 2 to 4 feet in height from ground level. For the cut-down trees, they can be marketed for sale, processed into wood mulch or kept for future use.
After tree removal, we can remove the stumps either by excavating the surrounding area or stump grinding. Both of these techniques are used to effectively clear the area of any remaining tree stumps, ensuring safe space for future development.
Level and Prepare the Site with Land Grading
Skid Steer grading the land for house construction
The process of land grading is essential to achieve a level surface prior to commencing any construction activities. This step ensures the elimination of any irregularities in elevation, thereby establishing a uniform foundation for future development.
Irregularities commonly exist within the property’s natural terrain prior to intervention, while others may arise from land clearing jobs, such as the formation of deep holes resulting from stump removal and the pressure exerted by heavy equipment.
By attaining a level and well-prepared surface, numerous benefits are realized, including improved stability for structures, enhanced drainage efficiency, and simplified construction processes.
Improving Drainage with Culvert Pipes
Corrugated Culvert Pipe for Drainage
When acquiring a property, it’s prudent to anticipate the presence of natural water features like creeks or wetlands.
In many instances, drainage systems are a necessity. One common approach is installing a culvert pipe alongside the road, with additional systems often hidden beneath gravel driveways. Depending on specific plans, water diversion can be achieved through land grading or the installation of interconnected pipes across the property.
Given that the installation of a gravel driveway is typically a mandatory aspect of site development, it’s crucial to assess whether any creeks or ditches intersect its path. If so, strategic placement allows for uninterrupted water flow beneath the driveway.
Neglecting to address water flow within the property can lead to erosion. Mitigation strategies, such as culverts, pipes, or land grading, are implemented based on the property’s conditions to prevent erosion and ensure proper drainage.
Excavate for a Pond Feature with Pond Excavation
Excavating Pond as a Stormwater Facility
If you have a grand vision of having a pond on your property, having a beautiful and tranquil pond is undoubtedly one of the most desirable features we can add to our property. It’s similar to having a larger-scale version of a swimming pool right in our backyard.
The excavation of ponds can be tailored to suit specific purposes. Whether one desires a spacious pond for leisurely strolls or opts for a more functional approach, such as utilizing it as a stormwater facility, various options are available, particularly if there’s ample space to spare.
Typically, ponds are excavated to serve as stormwater facilities, capable of capturing and storing excess rainwater, snowmelt, and runoff from the surrounding areas. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, they play a crucial role in flood prevention and erosion control, thereby enhancing the overall functionality and value of the property.
Create a Welcoming Path with Gravel Driveway Installation
Installation of Gravel Driveway in a Cleared Area
To give our home the entrance it deserves, a gravel driveway is necessary to connect the road to our house. In rural areas, gravel driveways are the best option, known for their durability and affordability. You may opt for an asphalt driveway if you feel you need a more sleek driveway for your home. It depends on what you plan for your property.
When your house is still under construction or yet to be built, we recommend installing a construction gravel driveway using #2 Crusher Run. This type of gravel is ideal for withstanding the heavy loads of trucks and equipment during the construction process. The #2 gravel resists displacement and deformation better than finer gravel sizes, helping to maintain the integrity of the driveway surface over time.
Once your home construction is complete, you can refresh your driveway by adding #1 Crusher Run. This will enhance the rural aesthetic of your property, providing both functionality and visual appeal.
Conclusion
Developing a property from scratch is always an exciting journey. Whether it’s creating a peaceful retreat to escape the hustle of daily life, crafting a vacation home for cherished family getaways, or planning for a cozy retirement home to settle into in your golden years, the possibilities are endless.
Through the insights shared in this blog, you can stay informed and empowered throughout the entire site development process. After all, this is your dream property, and there’s a special joy in witnessing it come to life from the ground up.
Given the scale of site development work, it’s crucial to entrust the work to experienced professionals. Fortunately, companies like us, DC Hauling Excavating and Gravel Driveway Specialists, Inc., offer comprehensive site development services, turning your vision into reality with quality and expertise. Armed with years of experience, you can enjoy the luxury of seeing your project come to life.
While the site development journey may seem daunting at times, the sense of pride and satisfaction upon completion is unparalleled. Each step forward brings you closer to realizing your dreams, and the finished result is a testament to your perseverance and dedication.
About DC Hauling Excavating and Gravel Driveway Specialists, Inc.
DC Hauling, Excavating and Gravel Driveway Specialists, Inc is a landscape construction and maintenance contractor offering site development works such as land clearing, demolition, excavation, trenching, drainage installation and gravel driveway installation and repair services. Considering our capability to perform all these services, we are a one-stop contractor for your needs. Got a project? Contact us to get this started!
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