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New-home site layout and excavation readiness checklist

A pre-excavation new-home checklist for survey control, setbacks, easements, finished-floor elevation, drainage concept, utility conflicts, access, erosion control, tree and property protection, soil information, excavation limits, and documentation before irreversible site work begins.

6 items to check

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Property, setbacks, easements, building corners, and benchmarks are controlled

Critical item

Layout should be based on authorized survey control and the approved site plan.

Finished-floor, foundation, driveway, yard, and drainage elevations are coordinated

Critical item

The planned building and site elevations should direct water safely and coordinate with streets, neighbors, utilities, and required flood or drainage criteria.

Soil, bearing, groundwater, rock, fill, and unsuitable-material procedures are defined

Critical item

Foundation and earthwork decisions should use project-appropriate geotechnical information and documented field conditions.

Existing and proposed utilities are located and coordinated

Critical item

Excavation should protect existing services and reserve buildable routes, elevations, separations, and access for proposed utilities.

Access, staging, erosion control, trees, neighbors, and property protection are ready

Site logistics should control sediment, mud, runoff, damage, and unsafe public or worker access.

Layout approval and pre-disturbance evidence are saved before excavation

Irreversible work should begin only after required approvals and a complete baseline record.

Use after permits and approved site documents are available but before clearing, mass grading, footing excavation, or utility trenching materially changes the lot. Survey, geotechnical, civil, structural, utility, and environmental decisions require qualified professionals. Do not enter unsupported excavations, walk incomplete framing or roofs, open energized equipment, operate pressurized systems without authorization, or interfere with required inspections. Use qualified inspectors and licensed trades for inaccessible, structural, electrical, gas, mechanical, environmental, or life-safety conditions.

Reference standards

  • Approved plans and specifications, signed purchase or construction agreement, selections and allowances, adopted state and local codes, permit and inspection conditions, authority having jurisdiction requirements, builder warranty documents, utility requirements, qualified design, and exact product manufacturer instructions
  • Recorded survey, easements, grading and drainage plan, geotechnical information, erosion-control plan, utility markings, and site-specific permit conditions

    • Tools

  • Current plans, specifications, selections, contract, change orders, permit records, inspection approvals, and warranty documents
  • Camera, flashlight, tape measure, level, outlet or fixture test tools used only where owner-safe, and dated location-based photographs
  • Written deficiency log with location, controlling document, responsible party, correction evidence, and release decision

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