Site prep in Knoxville and East Tennessee

What site prep covers

Every build starts with dirt work. Before a house, garage, barn, shed or addition goes up, the spot has to be cleared of brush and debris, leveled and shaped so trucks and crews can work. Site preparation in East Tennessee usually means some mix of clearing, grading and footer digging, and we do all three.

When you need it

• You bought a lot and want to build on it.
• You are adding a garage, shop, barn or addition.
• You need a level pad for a shed, carport or parking area.
• Your builder needs the site ready by a certain date.

How we do it

We walk the site with you and, if you want, with your builder. We look at the layout, the slope, what has to come out and how machines and trucks will get in. Then you get a straight number in writing. Our own crew shows up with our own equipment: the Caterpillar 265 skid steer for clearing and moving dirt and the Caterpillar 305 mini excavator for digging.

What affects the price

The size of the area, how much brush or debris is on it, how much the ground needs to be cut or filled, the slope and how easy it is to reach. Rates start at $125 an hour for the skid steer and $135 an hour for the mini excavator. Your final price depends on the site visit.

What to know before we start

Know where your property lines are and where the building will sit. Tennessee law requires a call to Tennessee 811 (tn811.com) at least three working days before digging. Some land-disturbance work needs a permit from the county or city, so check with yours. Red clay turns soft and slick after heavy rain, so we may wait for the ground to dry rather than rut up your lot. Rock close to the surface in some spots can also change the plan.