Landscaping is often one of the final stages of a custom home project, but the preparation for it needs to happen much earlier.
At Clay Construction, we believe good coordination between trades can save time, reduce costs, and prevent unnecessary work later. On a recent project, we took several steps early in construction to make the landscaper’s job easier—especially because the property has very limited access.
Here’s how we planned ahead.
Limited Access Requires Early Planning
This property has only about five feet of access to the backyard.
That might not seem like a major issue at first, but it becomes very important once the large excavation equipment leaves the site.
We knew that bringing a large excavator back later in the project would be difficult, if not practical. Any future excavation would likely require smaller equipment and additional labour to move soil and materials through the narrow access.
That can quickly become time-consuming and expensive.
Excavating While the Equipment Was Already on Site
While the large excavation equipment was still available, we took advantage of the opportunity to complete additional excavation in areas that would eventually be landscaped.
We had the excavator operator dig approximately two feet down in various areas and remove the excess soil while access was easy.
By doing this work early, we eliminated the need to bring smaller excavation equipment back later.
When the landscaping phase begins, the landscaper can focus on bringing in the required materials rather than spending time and money excavating the site.
Planning Electrical and Water Services with the Landscaper
The second step was simply asking the landscaper what they would need.
Before backfilling, we coordinated the locations of future electrical conduits and water lines.
The landscaper requested:
- An electrical line voltage conduit in the backyard and front yard.
- An low voltage electrical conduit in the front yard and backyard
- Water lines for the landscaping areas
- Drainage for sumps
- Gasline for generator and fire pits
This information allowed us to install the infrastructure before the areas were buried and finished.
Installing the Backyard Electrical Conduit
In the backyard, the electrical conduit runs directly from the home’s mechanical room to the location requested by the landscaper.
The landscaper can later install an electrical box at that location and have power available exactly where it’s needed.
This could be useful for future landscaping features, outdoor equipment, lighting, or other electrical requirements.
Because the conduit was installed before backfilling, there’s no need to excavate through completed landscaping later.
Installing Water Lines Before Backfilling
The same principle applies to water.
Before we backfill, we’re installing a water line to the backyard.
The landscaper can use this line for a variety of future applications, including:
- Irrigation
- Water features
- Outdoor landscaping needs
Again, the key is timing.
Once the foundation is backfilled and the landscaping is complete, installing new underground services becomes much more disruptive and expensive.
Small Decisions Can Save Big Money
None of these steps are particularly complicated.
The important part is thinking ahead.
By coordinating with the landscaper early and completing excavation, electrical conduits, drainage, gas and water lines while the site is accessible, we can avoid unnecessary equipment, labour, and excavation later.
This benefits everyone involved—including the homeowner and the landscaping contractor.
Making Every Trade’s Job Easier
A successful custom home project isn’t just about the work performed by one contractor. It depends on dozens of trades working together and understanding what needs to happen before the next phase begins.
When builders communicate with upcoming trades and prepare the site properly, everyone benefits.
The landscaper gets a better-prepared site. The homeowner avoids unnecessary costs. And the project moves forward more efficiently.
At Clay Construction, we believe that’s what good construction coordination looks like: make things easier now so they don’t become expensive problems later.
That’s one simple way to show your landscaper some love.
— Larry Clay
The Clay Way™
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