House Site Tips 101
Intro
Building a new home is exciting, but before you can pour the first slab or lay the first block, your section needs to be properly prepared. Site preparation is the foundation of every successful build — it affects cost, council approvals, and how smoothly construction runs.
In Waikato and Auckland, where soils and site conditions vary, getting site prep right from the start saves time, money, and headaches. Here’s your complete House Site Prep 101 guide.
1. Site Surveying & Set-Out
Every project starts with accuracy.
A surveyor marks out the exact footprint of your new home.
Levels are checked against council and engineering requirements.
This ensures your build sits at the correct height and location, preventing disputes with neighbours and delays at inspection stage.
👉 Tip: Always double-check boundary pegs and consent plans before breaking ground.
2. Clearing & Topsoil Strip
You can’t build on unstable ground.
Vegetation, trees, and any old structures are removed.
The topsoil layer — often 150–300mm deep — is stripped back. It’s too soft and organic to build on.
MCL can cart away spoil or stockpile it for later landscaping.
👉 Smart move: Keep good topsoil aside for lawns and gardens; it saves money later.
3. Cut and Fill Earthworks
The goal is a flat, stable building platform.
Cut: Soil is removed from higher areas.
Fill: Low areas are built up with compacted layers of soil or imported metal.
Balance: On ideal sites, cut and fill cancel out, reducing cartage costs.
Retaining: If there’s a big level difference, retaining walls may be required to stabilise the site.
👉 Watch out: If you skip proper compaction, you risk slab cracking and long-term settlement.
4. Drainage & Services
Water is the #1 enemy of any site.
Subsoil drains, soak pits, or stormwater systems are installed early.
Trenches for power, water, and telecoms are laid in coordination with your builder.
Drainage prevents flooding and ensures your foundation stays dry.
👉 Council inspectors will check this carefully — poor drainage is one of the most common reasons for site rework.
5. Compaction & Testing
This is where the science kicks in.
Fill is compacted in layers using rollers or plate compactors.
Proof rolls and compaction tests confirm the ground strength.
Certificates from engineers are often required for council sign-off.
👉 Never skip testing — it’s the difference between a safe, stable slab and expensive structural problems later.
6. Final Trim & Inspection
Finishing touches matter.
The platform is laser-trimmed to exact levels.
Silt fencing and site controls are put in place.
Engineers and council inspectors sign off on earthworks, drainage, and services.
👉 Once approved, your builder can move straight to foundations.
7. What Does House Site Prep Cost?
Costs vary depending on site conditions, but here are the big drivers:
Slope: Steeper land = more cut, fill, and cartage.
Soil type: Soft clay or peat requires more stabilisation.
Access: Tight sites increase machine time.
Drainage: Installing subsoil drains or soak pits adds cost.
Cartage: Spoil removal and imported metal can swing costs by tens of thousands.
💰 Typical range: $15,000–$50,000+ for full residential site prep in Waikato/Auckland.
8. Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Skipping drainage → leads to flooding and foundation damage.
Poor compaction → results in settlement and cracked slabs.
Underestimating cartage costs → blowouts when spoil can’t be reused onsite.
Not planning retaining early → surprise costs mid-build.
DIY shortcuts → cheap upfront, expensive later when rework is required.
9. Builder/Homeowner Checklist
Here’s what to tick off before you break ground:
✅ Surveyor’s set-out complete
✅ Geotech report reviewed
✅ Drainage plan approved
✅ Cut/fill balance calculated
✅ Cartage and dump fees budgeted
✅ Compaction testing booked
✅ Retaining walls designed (if required)
10. Case Study: Recent Waikato Site
One of our recent residential sites in Waikato involved:
Stripping 200mm of topsoil
40 truckloads of spoil carted offsite
Importing 300 tonnes of GAP 65 for fill
Full compaction and engineer sign-off in 10 working days
Result? The builder moved straight into foundation works with zero delays, saving the homeowner weeks in the program.
Why Good Site Prep Matters
Cutting corners on site prep often leads to:
Foundation cracks and settlement
Flooding or drainage failures
Costly delays at inspection stage
Budget blowouts due to rework
Done right, site prep gives your builder a clean, compliant, and safe starting point — saving time and money across the whole project.
How MCL Can Help
At MCL, we specialise in:
Full residential site cuts
Cartage & spoil removal
Drainage and service trenching
Compaction & QA testing
Driveways and access tracks
Whether you’re building in Waikato or Auckland, our team has the gear, experience, and systems to get your build off to the best start.
📞 Ready to get started? Contact MCL today to book a pre-build site assessment. We’ll provide a clear plan, accurate costs, and peace of mind before you break ground this summer.