If you are going to start construction on a new lot, wait for a second and hear what we have to say. Whenever you are having a lot clear before building on it, there are some common mistakes that are completely avoidable. Many problems have the potential to arrive and hamper the process of building. The best part is that these mistakes are completely avoidable if you know what they are. Here is a list for you:
1. Improper Planning
If there is one thing that you should pay all your attention to, it is planning. Any improper or ineffective planning will only hamper the process and add to a lot of frustration later on. Your planning should include getting all the clearance done in time along with the related licenses for the building. You can get some help from piedmontsiteworks.
If you do not have a comprehensive idea of how to go about clearing a lot, take some time out to meet with someone who has prior experience. A plan of action will help you out immensely, and everyone will have their roles clearly demarcated. You will have to take into account your budget, the contractors you will be hiring, and the equipment needed to do the job effectively within the deadline.
2. Little to No Risk Assessment
Not doing risk assessment while clearing out a lot for building is a recipe for disaster. Risk assessment gives you a very fair idea of what could go wrong so that you can efficiently handle the situation. Adequate assessment will help you in determining the problems so that you can immediately find adequate solutions before starting construction.
You should get to know the extent of each risk the construction will be posing. Only after you know the risk can you effectively plan the building process. The land clearance strategy will only be successful if you consider all the risks and take measures to mitigate them.
3. Thinking You Can Do It Yourself
If you think you can clear the lot yourself, let us clear up your doubt. You cannot. It is not about capability as much as it is about the experience. You should hire someone experienced in this field to clear out the land, which includes more than just removing trees and bushes from the area.
Even if you are a DIY expert, you still need a certain level of experience and skill to do the job right. Different factors like the drainage, the nature of the soil, and equipment handling need to be considered. If you decide to do it yourself, you can hamper the process to a great extent. And if you eventually will take professional help, it is better to do it from the beginning.
4. Not Getting the Right Equipment
As much of a mistake is trying to do it yourself, not going with the right equipment is just as dangerous. Inadequate machinery cannot only delay the process but can also become a safety hazard. It will take a lot of time to do the same job with improper equipment, and you will fall behind on your deadline.
The machinery should have the durability to withstand all the challenges that occur during land clearing. Understanding that if a specific piece of equipment works well on a smooth surface does not mean that it will work with abrasive material. So the material will have to be chosen in terms of the suitable topography.
5. Not Clearing the Land Enough
Land clearing needs a lot of time, so it is important to do it right the first time. The entire process is very expensive and requires thoro planning to be done adequately. One of the major mistakes is not clearing enough land, which directly hampers laying the foundation for building. If you try to minimize the time put in and do it half-heartedly, the project will not be able to work as planned.
The construction process will be stopped indefinitely until adequate land is cleared for building. Clearing land follows a practical approach, so keeping that in mind, you need to clear an area accordingly. Simply said, you will require some extra space for all the equipment and machinery to go through the area. So the land clearing should warrant enough space to make the construction process easy.
6. Not Seeing the Worth of Trees
When you are clearing a lot, cutting down trees are a necessary evil you will have to partake in. This means that all the vegetation in a demarcated area has to be removed. While this cannot be negotiated with, you can decide to keep some trees around the building area that serve a monetary or aesthetic purpose.
For instance, a large tree providing plenty of shade over the house will be preferable to cutting it off. Additionally, trees like hardwood have high financial value that the client might want to keep. Even if you want to cut those trees to understand their value and sell them if possible for a profit.
Do not go mindless in your cutting and work efficiently to save time and resources. Usually, taking a round in the land will give you an idea of what you are up against and whether you need to conserve any of the trees growing on the plot. Most importantly, try to find a purpose for all the trees you will be uprooting.
The Takeaway
No construction can begin in a plot without being wholly cleared. Good clearing will require removing all the vegetation while leaving enough space for the machinery to function correctly. Doing unnecessary cutting of trees is also not advised and will cause you problems later on.
Even if you feel like you can take up a big project and do it yourself, make sure you hire some professionals to aid with the process. Most importantly, factor in all the risks that can potentially present themselves during the planning phase for proper clearing of the lot.
