Why Site Prep Can Make or Break Your Build

What is “site prep” anyway?

Site preparation is everything that happens before your slab is poured or your frame goes up. It’s the foundation behind the foundation — and it sets the tone for the rest of your build.

At LPC Projects, we see site prep as one of the most critical phases in any residential construction project. It’s where small issues (if ignored) can snowball into big problems. But when done properly, it saves you time, money, and stress later on.

What site prep actually involves:

Depending on the property, site prep can include:

• Clearing vegetation or demolition of existing structures

• Temporary fencing and erosion control

• Earthworks, excavation and levelling

• Soil testing and geotechnical reporting

• Service connections or temporary power/water setup

• Retaining walls

• Surveying and setting out your build footprint

Why it matters:

Here’s what good site prep helps you avoid:

1. Drainage disasters

Poor grading or lack of stormwater planning can lead to pooling, erosion, or water damage. We always assess fall and runoff before breaking ground.

2. Structural risks

If the soil beneath your slab isn’t compacted properly or matched to your engineering design, it can affect the entire structure over time.

3. Project delays

Inadequate access or unclear site setup can delay material delivery, equipment movement, and the whole workflow. Solid prep creates a build-ready environment from Day One.

4. Blowout costs later

Fixing issues mid-build (like undermined footings or reworking levels) is far more expensive than planning for them upfront.

Case in point, How we approached this:

On one of our recent projects in Sydney, what looked like a straightforward block actually revealed complex subsurface conditions. Thanks to early soil testing and smart excavation, we avoided delays and kept the engineering on track — a win for both budget and timeline.

We don’t treat site prep as an afterthought. It’s a strategic phase of your project — and we manage it with the same precision as the rest of your build.

We work closely with surveyors, engineers and excavation teams to ensure the site is fully ready before slab day. That means better builds and fewer surprises.

Thinking of building?

Ask your builder how they approach site prep. The answer will tell you a lot.

📍 Based in Sydney, LPC Projects specialises in Architectural New Builds, Knock Down Rebuilds, and Major Renovations that start smart — from the ground up.