Site DevelopmentCut and Fill: The 50-Year-Old Site Prep That Can Kill Your Build
A LiDAR scan revealed a 1978 fill bench invisible on every aerial photo. Why building on 50-year-old unengineered fill can be a structural time bomb, and what the code and a geotech require before you pour.
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Site DevelopmentGrading and Drainage: Why They Matter More Than You Think
Grading and drainage are the number-one post-move-in complaint in new construction, and the warning signs are visible on the first site walk. The drains PNW code requires, and the lots that make water.
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Site DevelopmentTree Removal Site Prep: The Stump Holes That Stop Your Build
Backfilled tree stump holes are one of the most common hidden conditions on cleared lots, and one that can halt your foundation on day one. Here's how Oregon code treats them and how to plan ahead.
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Site DevelopmentGeotechnical Reports: What a Soils Study Tells You Before You Build
A geotechnical report is a licensed engineer's read on what's beneath your build site. Here's when Pacific Northwest jurisdictions require one, and the $50,000 repair skipping it can trigger.
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