Site Work

5 Methods for Attractive Stormwater Management

Parts of Ohio can experience intense downpours which inflict great damage to residential subdivisions and commercial properties.

The property manager’s job is to prevent this from happening as much as possible so residents and tenants can continue to enjoy the property, without creating a solution that detracts from the property’s appearance.

Fortunately, there are many effective and eco-friendly options for attractive stormwater management.

The Importance of Proper Stormwater Management

Research shows modern development means that stormwater runoff is shed from surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and rooftops that are constructed to deflect water.

Instead of simply soaking into the ground, this accumulated water must now be managed and diverted from the property.

While the ground may act as a filtration mechanism, unmanaged stormwater can often carry debris and pollutants such as oil, pesticides, and pet waste, which can mar the appearance of your property and cause pollution.

All of this can ultimately be discharged into local rivers and streams in violation of EPA and Clean Water Act stormwater management rules.

5 Attractive Stormwater Management Alternatives

Some property managers choose to collect all storm runoff and divert it into a public storm system via inlets with grates on their property. While this accomplishes the purpose of gathering stormwater, they can be considered aesthetically unappealing.

In some cases, managers are now exploring alternatives which are both effective and attractive.

These include:

Retention Basins
A retention basin holds water and is an effective way to reduce runoff while improving water quality. The basin slows the flow of water which allows for removal of organic matter, sediment, and other pollutants.

Generally, basins can remove two-thirds of these pollutants in the first 24 hours.

A traditional retention basin appears in the form of a man-made pond. Lately, however, property owners have been integrating underground retention basins into their stormwater management system.
Permeable Asphalt
This surface allows stormwater to filter through its more porous surface into the soil, thereby reducing the amount of water that goes into the storm system.

However, any water that does not permeate into the ground does go into the storm water management system.
Permeable Pavers
This is an alternate paving system that looks more attractive than a solid pavement, and offers better stormwater management.Here small spaces are created between paving blocks in order to allow stormwater to more easily pass through sand or other material to the underlying soil or stormwater management system.

Bioswales:
Bioswales are gently sloping, vegetated stormwater solutions that treat, filter and retain stormwater as it moves between locations. Often best-suited for larger areas like parking lots, these systems are easy to install.

They serve the purpose of slowing the flow of runoff water which also makes it cleaner and safer for the environment. Buildings.com reports that a 4-meter bioswale can reduce about 25% of the total rainfall runoff.
Curbs:
Curb cuts are used to direct stormwater to a stormwater solution at specific points. Another option is stormwater curb extensions, or bump-outs, which are landscaped areas that capture stormwater and filter it through the vegetation before passing it to the next step.

Talk to Your Contractor About Your Options

Better stormwater management can lead to a more attractive facility, less storm damage, and happier inhabitants. In municipalities which have stormwater fees, increased on-property management can also lead to lower taxes.

When laying out your property, or looking to make improvements, talk to your contractor about the best way to manage stormwater on your property.

Marion Ohio Zoning, Engineering, & Building Permits: Everything You Need to Know Before You Dig

The process of obtaining building permits for new construction projects or renovations and remodeling can be complicated and time-consuming. As a result, some people are tempted to avoid getting the required permits.

You shouldn’t try this because, in the end, you’ll encounter hefty fines and deep frustrations. Not only is it illegal to build without a permit, but it can also cost you much more in penalties and even make your house unsellable.

Marion, Ohio Zoning, Engineering, & Building Permits: What You Need to Worry About

If you are thinking of setting up a home or business property in the City of Marion, Ohio, it is important to take note of the city’s zoning code regulations and building permits requirements. If you are a current resident of the city, it is also crucial for you to know if you need a building permit to update or upgrade your property.

Zoning codes and building permits can be dense and confusing — That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you weed through what you need before you embark on your construction or remodeling project.

Below is a guide to help you understand more about building permits.

What Are Building Permits?

Building permits are the official approval by the local authority issued to allow you to go ahead with a project. They show that your building plans have been inspected and approved – meaning that you have complied with the local building codes and therefore your project is safe to take its course.

Why and When Do You Need Building Permits?

Building permits are required to confirm that your construction abides by the local standards for zoning, land use, sanitation, structural integrity, construction, sewerage, electricity, and fire resistance among more.

Keep note: if you build without a permit and the city finds out, or you try to sell your house, you’ll be slapped with a hefty fine, and even worse you could be forced to demolish the building and rebuild it anew with a permit. Permits are therefore really crucial!

Generally, permits are required whenever you construct, repair, modify, remove, upgrade, convert or demolish a building or other structure. Structures could be anything from a fence to a swimming pool and sheds.

Typically, you will need a permit if you want to:

Make alterations to the main house
Modify or add to your garage
Install or repair fences, roofing, decks, patios, pools, siding and sheds
Build a new or expand an existing driveway
Carry out some extensive plumbing and electrical work

However, works such as painting, cabinetry installation, landscaping, and carpeting are exempt.

It can be difficult to tell between what projects qualify and which ones are exempted in each city, and that’s why it’s crucial to consult a professional contractor to help you determine if your project qualifies and even assist you in obtaining the permit on your behalf.

Obtaining a Permit

Once you have made your building permit application and it is in order, various departments may be involved depending on the nature of the project. They may include the Building & Safety Division, The Fire Department, and the Public Works Department.

The application will then be processed in a matter of weeks or a few months depending on the size of the project. If there are any corrections or changes needed, they will be communicated to you so that you can work on them and resubmit your application.

If everything is fine, a permit will be issued, and inspections will follow to check how the project is doing as work progresses.

What Zoning and Building Permits Are Required in Marion City, Ohio?

In Marion City, long-standing City Zoning Code Regulations require that any new structures or additions to existing structures have a zoning permit before construction begins. Some of the items that must have zoning pre-approval include:

Garages
Sheds
Porches
Pools
Fences
Decks

Some interesting zoning codes to pay close attention to include:

Pools with a water depth of 24+ inches should have a 4+ foot tall fence with a lockable gate surrounding them.
Garage sales are only allowed for a 3-day period, twice a month.
No business signs are permitted in the city right of way or tree lawn area.

These are only a few of the items listed in the City of Marion Zoning Codes. There are many more codes that may apply to your specific project.

Contact the Zoning Inspector through the number 383-4114 and get accurate details about other zoning codes that may apply to your project.

Lifting and Rigging Training: General Guidelines

When you’re seeking bids for work that involves lifting and rigging, you need to trust that the work crew you hire has sufficient training to get the work done safely — without any incident.

Learn what the contractors need to know about rigging and hoisting so you can do your due diligence when hiring.

Safety Concerns With Rigging and Lifting

Any task that involves hoisting things in the air brings safety risks.

If rig operators overlook something because they are in a rush, that load they’re hoisting could slip and fall—causing significant property damage and, in a worst-case scenario, injuring workers or residents who are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

To set up a safe rigging operation, those operating the machinery must evaluate the weight of the load, the weight-bearing capacity of the rigging device, the load limit of slings and rope, capacity, hoisting safety, and best practices.

Workers have to factor in:

Wind
Weather
Overhead power lines
Other external obstacles

Once everything is taken into account, the rig operator must create a balanced load for stability.

Unbalanced loads will swing or sway, and have greater potential to injure property, people, or equipment.

Elements of Lifting and Rigging Training

As you can probably tell by now, a skilled rig operator must juggle a lot of variables to do their job correctly.

When you’re vetting contractors, ask whether they’ve been exposed to the following elements of lifting and rigging training programs:

Basic Safety Procedures and Rigging Equipment

Basic safety procedures cover materials, safety inspections (which should take place prior to every job), proper lifting techniques, and the selection and use of rigging equipment.

This is where workers learn how to calculate the size and weight of a load, select the right equipment, and take care of all the elements that go into a successful, balanced load.

Comprehensive training will cover the proper use, inspection, and care of all types of rigging equipment:

Rope slings
Webbing slings
Chains
Shackles
Hooks
Eyebolts
Pull lifts
Air tuggers
+ More

Observer Spotter Training

Machine operators don’t do it alone. Spotters or observers watch the load to quickly catch any potential problems, whether it’s a kink in the rigging chain or a potential hazard that comes into the hoisting path.

Observers ensure the hoisting path never goes near individuals and keeps the equipment parallel to the ground. During the lift, spotters communicate to operators with hand signals.

Temporary Traffic Control

Work crews set up signage and control the flow of traffic around the work site to prevent incidents. Traffic control keeps the job site safe, to ensure a successful lift.

Reputable contractors will have independent training in these concepts.

When you ask the right questions about training when screening contractors, you can hire someone who has undergone lifting and rigging training and enjoy peace of mind that the workers you’re bringing in to your managed property will get the work done quickly, the right way, and without endangering your community’s safety.

Related Blogs Regarding Safety:

Is Your Contractor Performing Confined Space Entry Training?

That is, have they received the right information and are they up to speed on the best practices for working in areas with limited work spaces and entry/exit points (think: manholes, silos, tank cars, bins, etc.)?

If they aren’t, it’s an understatement to say that they should be. It’s also a good reason why you shouldn’t be doing business with them, as understanding the hazards, challenges and best way to work in these tight quarters is essential to staying safe and performing the job correctly.

Confined Space Entry Training: The Challenges

As we noted earlier, the biggest challenge involved with working in confined spaces is the restricted area, which impacts mobility and makes would-be routine tasks more difficult.

These spaces aren’t necessarily designed for people or workers to enter, however they are able to be accessed when necessary. Because of the nature of these environments, there are other notable challenges workers must be aware of and properly manage beyond smaller work spaces.

These include:

Unguarded machinery
Exposed wiring
The potential for poor air quality from a lack of proper ventilation
Abnormally sloped walls that have the potential to trap a worker
Overheating

Spaces with any of the aforementioned risks are what OSHA describes as “permit required confined spaces,” or permit spaces.

When such areas are designated accordingly, a permit must be filed to work in the area. What’s more, a work space attendant and entry/exit supervisor are also required to be on site in these permit spaces.

Pre-Entry Checklist: Identifying Hazards

It’s mandatory to assess any confined space to minimally assess the potential hazards that may be faced. In some situations, certain hazards can also be eliminated.

That’s why a pre-entry checklist is so important with any job, let alone in permit spaces that may pose more risk for workers. A pre-entry checklist helps workers better understand what the potential threats are, as well as provide information on how to best react to them.

Essentially, this checklist just helps enhance the preparation and keep workers safe on at-risk sites in more challenging situations.

Benefits of OSHA Confined Space Training

Like we said in the opening, if a contractor you’re considering has not undergone proper confined space entry training, we’d suggest you think twice about working with them.

In addition to the pre-entry checklist that helps identify hazards and help workers understand how to respond to them when/if they’re faced, there are various other benefits of OSHA confined space training that prove valuable in a permit space situation.

Key training points include:

Hazard mitigation
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
The various types of confined spaces
The permit process
Case study examples
Monitoring devices

Aside from this, OSHA’s offered confined space training is convenient, affordable and effective – so there’s really no reason why contractors shouldn’t be receiving the necessary education for working in these high-risk environments.

Any contractor you work with should know what to do under these circumstances.

How to Winterize Your Pipes + Other Utilities for Your Business

When the busy season is over with, the annual routine of packing up shop and winterizing properties begins. For many businesses, it’s smart to close up for the winter when traffic is low, and reopen in the warmer months.

But closing up shop until next year’s busy season can spell disaster if the proper steps aren’t taken, especially in areas that experience significant winter weather.

Busted pipes are a major threat that can result in flooded property when a building is occupied year-round. Just imagine the restoration and remediation work that may be necessary if you’re unaware that there’s an issue at all, as is the case with many small businesses, where owners often winter elsewhere during the off-season.

In order to prevent damaged pipes and costly repair costs, it’s always best to carefully ensure your winterization procedures are up to par. Here’s a look at some tips:

Winterizing Your Utilities: The Basics

Before we get into specific tips and procedures, let’s first go over some winterization basics. Even if you’re vacating the property for a while in the off-season, you’ll still want to keep the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.

This helps keep the property warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing in heated areas of the business.

If you’re leaving the property completely for the season, we’d recommend shutting off the water and draining all the pipes accordingly (don’t forget about administering non-toxic anti-freeze rated for plumbing systems either in toilets, down drains, etc.).

If you do this, then you can shut off the thermostat until you return and save on heating costs.

Utility Winterization Tips

Here’s a look at more specific tips to keep your business safe from winter weather havoc:

Insulate pipes in at-risk areas.
Does your business have a crawlspace or basement below it? Pipes in these areas have a tendency to get very cold, especially if they’re located near exterior walls.

Head to the local hardware store and pick up some pipe sleeves or wrappings to better insulate them to better prevent freezing and bursting.
Hire a friend.
Have a friend stop by periodically to check on your pipes and property. It isn’t as good as someone being on site all the time, but can allow for a much prompter response in the event that something goes wrong while you’re away.
Prep the roof.
Your pipes aren’t the only thing you should prep. The roof can be a very problematic part of your business as well. Specifically, ice dams have the potential for causing water damage to your property if snow runoff isn’t able to drain properly. Prevent them from forming by making sure gutters and downspouts are clear.You may also want to consider investing in a snow removal service that can help remove excess snow from the edge of the roof to prevent ice dam formation.

Proper Installation is Key

When your utilities are installed you want to choose a contractor who has experience with winter climates — making them able to withstand the harsh winters your business endures.

If you live in an area where freezing occurs, there are minimum depths a water or sewer line can be buried due to freezing. In areas such as Florida and southern states that do not freeze, these lines can be installed much shallower.

How Do You Detect a Water Leak Underground?

Water leakage can occur on any water system in your home at any time. Most water leakages are easily identifiable because they happen on piping systems that are easy to see.

However, water leakages also occur in water systems that are installed underground. They can be difficult to spot, but with the right skills and help from a professional with an underground water leak detector, the process is easy.

Signs of Underground Water Leaks

The most common sign of underground water leaks a puddle of water on the ground that never dries up or a stream of water that flows steadily.

If the pipes are underneath your house, you may notice wet patches and dampness on the floor. Unexplained lush spots in your yard can also be a sign of a water leak underneath.

What’s Causing the Leak

Underground water leaks may be caused by:

Old and worn water system components such as pipe joints and valves
Too much pressure being exerted above ground leading to pipe destruction
The ground freezing and thawing
Shifting soil
Bad installation

Ways to Detect Leaks

Before making any next steps, you want to be sure it is a leak you’re experiencing. There are a few ways to take out the guesswork, and move forward correctly.

Do a Meter Test

A meter test is the easiest way to tell whether you have a water leak or not. First, ensure that all your faucets and water consuming gadgets such as dishwasher and laundry machine are shut off.

Go to your meter and read its current reading then wait for an hour or overnight to recheck it. If the meter dial has moved and the new meter reading is higher, then it’s likely that you have a water leak somewhere.

Consult a Professional for a Definitive Answer

If you believe that you have an underground leak but can’t pinpoint its exact location, then consider consulting a professional as soon as possible. An expert will use an underground water leak detector to perform a test and determine the approximate location of the leak.

Professionals use specialty tools such as sounding devices, to identify the leak.

Detecting an underground leak can be a daunting task without specialty tools. It is advisable to consult a professional for a fast process so that repairs can be carried out on a timely basis. This will save you from incurring higher water bills and prevent further damage to your property.

Guide to Commercial Site Work Costs

When you’re investing in a civil construction project, the last thing you want is to have unexpected costs pop up along the way.

One of the ways to prevent this from happening is to understand up front what goes in to the many process of site work and site preparation, and have estimations as to what the cost will be for each service.

NOTE: This guide is by no means an exact way of predicting cost, nor should it be used as one. The only accurate way to predict the cost of site work services is to ask your civil contractor up front. Prices also vary greatly depending on the size, complexity, and location of the project.

Commercial Site Work Services and Costs

The meaning of and services included in construction site preparation and site work can vary depending on your contractor. We have highlighted the ones that are most common for the majority of projects in Ohio, and ones that you are likely to encounter the next time you have site work done.

At Park Enterprise Construction, we consider site work and preparation to mean:

All dirt-moving activities including excavation and compaction
Grading
Sanitary, storm, and water utilities installation
Concrete curbing and sidewalks
Asphalt driveways, walkways, and parking lots
Building pad installation

So, what is included within these services? And what will they cost you?

Land Clearing

Land clearing is generally the first step in getting a site ready for construction work to kick off.

It may entail cutting down trees and shrubs on the land where building is going to take place. It may also involve the demolition of old structures and removal of any other obstructive objects.

Land clearing costs vary depending on the scope of the clearing to be done and its complexity, and most companies will charge anywhere between $5,000 and $11,000 per acre for the service.

Site Stripping

Site stripping is stockpiling any material that has organic matter from the construction site.

Prices vary widely depending on the amount of material being moved; hauling distance, and the site conditions at the time of moving to stockpile on site.

Typically, the costs for this process range between $2.00 and $5.00 per cubic yard.

Grading the Lot

Grading a lot is one of the most essential tasks for a commercial site design project, and is made easier with machine control.

The costs for this procedure typically range around $0.50 to $1.00 per square yard.

Cut and Fill for Building Pad

Cut and fill refers to the process of taking (or cutting) clay from one place on a site to another. This could include moving clay from one side of the land to the other in order to make the ground more level for the future building pad, and is done using scrapers or off road dump trucks.

Prices for this procedure vary depending on slope and hauling distance, but general moving and compacting costs range between $2.25 and $3.00 per cubic yard.

Fine Grading the Building Pad

This involves grading the pad to the finest level required for laying a concrete foundation.

The costs here range from $1.00 to $1.50 per square yard, and depend mostly on the size and scope of the building pad.

Aggregate Base

This includes installation of the aggregate base, for driveways, parking lots, and building pads.

The aggregate base is mostly made up of crushed limestone and used as a base course. The aggregate base material varies based on location, and price is usually most dependent on the type of aggregate used.

In Ohio, it is typically 304 Limestone and ranges between $50 and $60 per cubic yard to install.

Installing Utilities

It is difficult, to give an accurate cost range for this because the installation costs will widely vary depending on depth, size of material, and the type of pipe being installed.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $120 per lineal foot.

Paving the Lot

Your commercial property will most likely need a parking lot and driveway.

Similar to utility installation cost, it is difficult to give an accurate range for this service because it varies so greatly depending on the shape, size, material used, and thickness of the lot. However, the a minimum would be $2.25 per square foot.

It is also important to remember that there is a cost for aggregate base as mentioned above.

Striping The Lot

The average cost of parking lot striping depends on the number of markings to be made.

The standard charges for parking lot paint jobs are $0.20 per linear foot.

Curbs

Curbs are important for demarcation in paved lots. Concrete curbs are the most common choice in many commercial entities, and their prices vary depending on shape and design.

Their costs range between $10 and $15 per foot.

Spreading Topsoil in Green Areas

Spreading topsoil over the green areas helps in creating a level lawn and giving more nutrition sources.

Soil spreading can cost between $60.00 – $70.00 per cubic yard to import, but again it all depends on how much work input is needed, and how far the materials need to be transported.

If stockpiled topsoil on site is used, you can expect to pay between $3.00 and $5.00 per yard.

Choose a Site Work Contractor You Trust

Construction site preparation is absolutely crucial for a strong foundation on your property. Poor preparation can put the structural integrity of your lot at risk, and you’ll spend even more than you thought in the end.

One of the only ways to make sure that your site work costs do not get out of hand, is by choosing an experienced and trustworthy site work contractor.

Do I Need Erosion Control on My Property?

Over time, the likes of wind and water can wreak havoc on land development, making soil erosion an issue for farmers, construction workers, and even property managers. Erosion, specifically, is a process where rain or fast-moving water carries soil away over time.

Usually it’s a very long-term, natural process, but on construction sites and for property managers, it’s a problem that presents short-term challenges as well, particularly when it comes to depositing runoff in bodies of water or affecting other nearby properties with site contaminants.

This post will discuss erosion control tactics that property managers can administer to offset the consequences of erosion.

Why You Need Erosion Control

As we covered earlier in the piece, erosion control methods are essential to keeping soil, and other debris, on your property and away from neighboring properties or bodies of water. Soil may erode due to wind force or water runoff.

On properties and construction sites, erosion can potentially spread contaminants into bodies of water and possibly even cause foundation degradation if the erosion is significant enough.

It’s why erosion control is a necessity in many environments, especially properties that are constructed on hills or slopes. Ignoring erosion control can lead to land disputes and pollution.

Erosion Control Explained

Erosion control is essentially any measure that is taken to minimize or eliminate the effects of erosion, notably when it comes to soil. Erosion control may involve constructing physical barriers to protect nearby properties or bodies of water. It may also involve strategically planting crops or bushes to absorb wind and rain.

From an engineering standpoint the problem is twofold; how to stop offsite sedimentation during construction and also how to stop it once the project is completed. Sites where 1 Acre or more is being denuded generally require a SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan).

This document is required to contain a copy of the EPA general permit, site specific plans to contain sediment including BMP’s (Best Management Practices) and inspection logs complete with a record of how previous deficiencies have been corrected to date.

Click here for more detailed information from the EPA with SWPPP requirements.

The typical items one might see during construction include:

A stone construction entrance with fabric underlayment: This reduces the chances of mud leaving the site on construction vehicle’s tires.
Perimeter Silt Fence: This allows water to surface drain from a specified area but will catch the silt.
Inlet protection: These can be barriers construction of silt fence around the inlet or bag systems to prevent sediment from entering the storm sewer, while still allowing water to drain.
Rock Check Dams: These reduce the velocity of water traveling in ditches which reduces the turbidity of the water.
Outlet Control Structures: It’s common to see a new site designed to direct all of the storm runoff into a detention system, most likely a pond or basin. As water accumulates in these basins, any silt in the runoff settles to the bottom. The outlet structure drains water from the surface instead of the bottom and typically drains it into a natural waterway.
Temporary Ground Cover: This is typically construction seeding.

Once construction has been completed, you might see the items below:

Constructing terraces: These act as a velocity control to slow down the rate at which water travels down a slope.
Gabions: These provide permanent slope reinforcement to address potential bank erosion.
Bioswales: Engineering soils at the bottom of swales or ditches allow some of the storm runoff to percolate into the ground, reducing the amount of water traveling to the storm sewer.
Outlet structures: Similar to the description above, but these sometimes have a slight modification to convert from temporary to permanent.
Permanent ground cover: Seeding may be grass, but also might be wild native mixes specifically chosen to prevent erosion.

Erosion Control Guidelines

We suggest always consulting with your municipality on erosion control methods, as many have requirements beyond the federal EPA requirements.

Erosion control doesn’t have to be costly. Nor does it have to be overly complicated. It just needs to be considered, in most cases, to minimize soil runoff and disbursement.

The Ultimate Guide to Trench Backfill Material

Whether you’re embarking on your first or 100th project, you still might be wondering what exactly trench backfill is, does, and how it affects your overall project budget.

The best way to understand the backfill needed on your project is to talk openly with your contractor. Proper backfill processes require knowledge of the specifications and the soil conditions to ensure optimal performance.

We put together this guide of general considerations to keep in mind and help you better understand backfill.

Trench Backfill Basics

Let’s start at the beginning: Why should you care about your trench backfill material?

The primary function of trench backfill is to minimize and reduce the chance of a trench settling, shifting, and eroding underneath paved areas. This could lead to damage to new roadways, curbs, and sidewalks if settling occurs.

When this happens, there is no easy fix. Typically, the settled area will be dug up and new backfill will need to be placed and compacted. Most likely, the damaged road, curb, or walk would need to be replaced too.

Choosing the Appropriate Backfill Material

You probably don’t need us to remind you that cheaper is not always better — but trench backfill material is a great example of the old adage “pay now or pay later.”

When selecting backfill, it can be easy to go for the cheapest option, since it will be underground, and altogether forgotten about once the project is done. But, choosing weak and cheap backfill has expensive consequences if installed improperly.

Always ask your contractor for their recommendation for your project before selecting. If they’re suggesting something pricier than you expected, have them walk you through the type of backfill and consult the guide below.

Trench Backfill Types: Explained

Depending on the project, the type of backfill needed may be governed for you in advance. For private commercial work most contractors follow the local jurisdictions specifications. For public or municipal work — the engineer in charge of the project will be selecting the backfill.

Understanding the types of backfill that you might be selecting is key in ensuring the longevity of your project upon completion.

In most cases, there are 4 types of backfill to worry about. Switching to a soil at certain heights above the pipe may be allowed.

Uncompacted Soil Backfill
This is comprised of whatever soil material is on site. It is simply putting the moved soil back in the trench without any compaction effort. It will then need to be mounded up to prevent settling.

This is the cheapest option — but after it settles, it may require re-grading.

Compacted Soil Backfill
Similar to the first choice, it is comprised of what material is already on the site. However, this soil is then compacted.This is still an inexpensive backfill option, but does come with a cost increase compared to uncompacted native soil.

Compacted Stone Backfill
This is compacted granular backfill, or stone, which substantially reduces the probability of settlement.This makes it particularly applicable in areas that need to be paved.

Controlled Density Fill (Also known as lean concrete)
This fills the trench without a need for a secondary compaction operation.This is suitable for particularly narrow areas that cannot handle a large piece of machinery for compaction, or in areas that are heavily trafficked and need to be completed sooner.

Did We Lose You?

Chances are, you don’t want or need to be a trench backfill expert — and that’s what we’re here for.

At Park Enterprise Construction, we ensure that our trench backfill options are within a reasonable price range, while also being long-lasting for your property. We are always happy to talk you through the trench backfill, and any other component of your project, just give us a call!

Developing Land Into a Subdivision: The Pros & Cons

Dividing your land into additional allotments is a great way to stay in your current home, yet increase the value of the land when selling it for developmental purposes. It’s one of the key reasons to invest land in a subdivision.

Yet, investing land in a subdivision does have some misconceptions. For starters, most people think that doing so involves the construction of homes. That’s not always the case – it is possible to allot the land and then sell it without having to build. This route is generally a safer one to take that can also be more profitable and hassle-free.

So is investing land in a subdivision a wise decision for you? Certainly it can make financial sense, but it goes without saying that it might not be right for everyone.

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of doing so to help you make your decision:

Pros of Investing Land in a Subdivision

It’s Profitable:

The biggest advantage of investing land in a subdivision is the possibility of significantly increasing the value of your land.

Many people look at this as an investment opportunity, as it can help line your pockets and improve the marketability of your land when you go to sell it.

You Have Help:

While it can be appealing to go about investing land in a subdivision all on your own, it’s better to appoint a team of experts that can help you throughout the process.

In addition to ensuring that your proposal and application are stronger, it also helps dilute some of the responsibility you assume.

Yes, it’s important to stay involved and lead the process, but appointing the right team of professionals allows you to lean on them for their expertise during various parts of the process. Hiring an experienced team (more on this later) is well worth the price.

Cons of Investing Land in a Subdivision

It’s Complicated:

Dividing land takes a lot of planning. First comes the process of gathering relevant information about the property, and from there you need to assemble a team of various professionals, including a property lawyer, surveyor, architect, engineer, urban planner, conveyancer and more.

Fair market value for your land can fluctuate as well, and it’s important to consider there are a lot of factors at play such as:

Regional demographics
School district
Proximity to popular places
Traffic flow density

Then there’s the task of submitting applications and proposals to the proper jurisdiction and waiting for approval. This process may take years!

The combination of land acquisition costs, design costs, proposed density, construction costs, inspection costs, developer fees, inspection costs, and cost of capital are all variables to help determine if a subdivision is viable.

Codes, Rules, and Regulations to Consider:

What’s the soil quality? Are your blueprints up to code? Do you have to add any infrastructure? Do you need to remove any existing structures or trees?

These – among others – are just a few of the factors at play when dividing land. It’s recommended that testing the soil is the first thing you perform, as soil amendments can be made before any further planning gets underway if there’s evidence of contamination.

It is important to keep in mind that each municipality has their own regulations regarding offset distances from the proposed house sites to the right of way boundary, total lot density, required amount of green space, etc.

So is investing land in a subdivision the right decision for you? Like we said, before making the call, we’d strongly advise doing your due diligence to make sure that the potential payoff reflects the overall undertaking.

How Your Contractor Can Help

A quality contractor makes a great addition to your team of professionals as they will help you determine construction costs and typically will have insight regarding potential concerns based on the location of your land.

There’s also the possibility of value engineering items in advance as your contractor’s experience will have likely honed their vision for the best and most efficient way to construct the project.