What are siteworks?

Siteworks are everything done to a block before the slab is poured: clearing, levelling, bringing in sand for a flat pad, compacting it, retaining walls where the ground slopes, drainage, and bringing sewer, water, power and gas to where the house will sit. On an easy block, it's a few days of machines. On a hard one, it needs engineering.

That's a lot to know, but you don't have to work it out. We and the engineer work it out for your block, and we walk you through it.

The ground comes first. An engineer tests how much the soil moves when it gets wet or dries out. Sand barely moves. Clay moves more, so it needs a stronger slab. Most of Perth's coastal plain is sand, which is good news for building. Some areas have clay, limestone or old fill, and the engineer's report tells you what's under your block.

Then the slope. A block that drops a metre from back to front needs the pad built up and held in with retaining walls. Access for machines, trees to remove, how far away the sewer is, and whether the estate has already connected services all play a part too.

A survey of your block and an engineer's report on the ground confirm the siteworks price. We arrange them for you and keep you updated.

Your first costing includes a siteworks allowance, called a provisional sum, based on what's normal for that suburb. So you have a working figure from day one. It's finalised once the engineer's report on your block is in, and we show you any change.

Much of Perth is sand, which usually keeps siteworks simple. If your block needs more, like retaining walls or extra engineering, we explain what it's for and what it does to your total.

Got a block in mind? Leave your details and ask us about it.