banner

Welcome To:

The Contractor Checklist

Excavation Master Class

Earthwork — PM Briefing & Success Guide

(A Five-Part Homeowner Education Series)

Why Earthwork Matters

Earthwork is the first major physical operation on site.


It establishes drainage, elevations, building footprint, and future accessibility.

If earthwork is done poorly, every trade that follows pays the price — often with expensive rework

PM Responsibilities During Earthwork

The PM ensures:

  • Layout is correct before any digging starts

  • All underground utilities are located and confirmed

  • Every buried element is photographed and documented

  • Stormwater and erosion control are active from Day 1

  • Compaction and soil testing inspections are coordinated

  • Dump routes and stockpile locations are properly planned

  • Safe equipment access is established before mobilization

You are the one preventing mistakes before they happen.

Typical Earthwork Scope to Understand

Earthwork may include:

  • Clearing vegetation and debris

  • Rough grading and site leveling

  • Excavating for foundations and utilities

  • Hauling spoils off-site

  • Backfilling and compacting in proper lifts

  • Installing gravel bases and drainage preparations

  • Temporary access roads and ramps

  • Surface water and erosion control

  • Final pad grade once foundation is in

Always confirm the exact scope with the subcontractor so no assumptions are made.

Common Pitfalls That Delay the Project

Watch for:

  • Not enough dump trucks → operation stops

  • Unverified elevations → foundation fails inspection

  • Rain turns trenches to mud → major cost impact

  • Spoils pile blocking work area → constant rehandling

  • Streets overloaded with dirt tracking → fines

  • Underestimating compaction needs → slab movement later

Strong PMs remove these risks before subcontractors ever arrive.

Coordination — Who You Must Align With

To avoid issues:

  • Verify surveyor stakes and benchmarks early and often

  • Notify structural engineer if soil conditions differ

  • Confirm foundation crew’s preferred access routes

  • Align utility entry points and trench paths

  • Schedule inspections before any backfill occurs

  • Coordinate with Geotech on compaction standards

Earthwork success is dependent on early communication with these groups.

Close-Out, Warranty & Lessons Learned

Tips & Best Practices From Expert PMs

Practical field wisdom:

  • Always check benchmarks twice — grade errors are expensive

  • Drainage paths should be visualized before digging begins

  • Protect good soil separately from spoils

  • Label underground features (gas, water, power) clearly in photos

  • Schedule dump trucks in pairs or fleets — never single runs

  • If weather is coming, get road base down early

  • The first week defines the entire job’s efficiency

Everything becomes easier when site prep is excellent.

Thank you for completing this Session!

What a Successful Earthwork Phase Looks Like

Earthwork is complete when:

  • Pad is flat and at proper elevation

  • Compaction tests pass and are uploaded

  • Site access is safe and clear

  • Stormwater protections are active

  • Foundation subcontractor can begin immediately

A clean handoff = a clean project.

What is in the Master Class?

Start Next Session @

NEXT