Preparing your property for construction

Check access, service connections and the work area with your builder before construction starts.

Before construction starts, agree a site preparation plan with your builder. It should explain access, service locations, earthworks, material storage and how the work will affect anyone living on the property.

Ask your builder what access their vehicles and equipment need. Check gates, fences, overhead branches and shared driveways. Obtain any necessary permissions before changing shared access or removing vegetation.

Locate the water, wastewater and power connections. Give the details to your builder and relevant contractors so they can confirm connection requirements and include the work in their quotes.

Do not excavate or level the building area before your designer and builder confirm the foundation design and required levels. Ground conditions and drainage affect how the site should be prepared.

Agree how existing buildings, gardens and paths will be protected, where materials will be stored and who will repair affected areas after construction. Seventy supplies the plans; your builder manages the site work.