Define the scope. New build? Addition? Driveway replacement? Utility upgrades? Outline each task.

Collect documents. Civil plans, geotech report, architectural set, and any HOA rules.

Shortlist locals. Look for active residential work in Salt Lake City, West Jordan, South Jordan, Herriman, Draper, Sandy, and Cottonwood Heights.

Vet qualifications. Licensing, insurance, OSHA safety record, and similar project photos.

Compare bids by scope, not price alone. Confirm quantities, export/import assumptions, traffic control, and testing.

Ask about winter strategies: frost management, heaters on footings, and snow removal plans.

Align on communication. Who’s your daily point of contact? How are change conditions documented?

Lock the schedule. Coordinate around permits and lead times for utilities and concrete.

Typical project timeline and deliverables

Discovery call and plan review. Share drawings and site address.

Site walk. Verify access, slopes, tree protection; confirm erosion controls.

Proposal. Clear scope, quantities, inclusions, exclusions, and allowances.

Scheduling. Set a start date around permits, utility locates, and weather windows.

Mobilization. Fencing, signage, BMPs, and equipment delivery.

Excavation and grading. Cut/fill to subgrade, trenching, compaction, and proof-rolling.

Inspections and testing. Soil density, trenches, and footing depth checks.

Backfill and fine grade. Drains, downspout tie-ins, and surface shaping for positive flow.

Closeout. As-built elevations and handoff to the next trade.

Materials and methods that work in Utah

Engineered fill and road base perform well when placed in thin lifts and compacted to spec. On slopes, use rockery or engineered retaining systems with proper drainage blankets. In wetter pockets, perimeter drains and daylighted outlets keep hydrostatic pressure off basement walls. For driveways, geotextile underlayment reduces pumping and rutting during thaws.

Risk management and safety you should expect

Expect daily tailgate meetings, trench boxes where required, and strict utility locate procedures. Dewatering plans should be in place for high groundwater. Haul routes need flagging, mats, and street sweeping to protect neighbors. Good crews leave sites cleaner at day’s end than they found them.

How to prepare your property before mobilization

Mark private utilities like sprinkler lines and low-voltage runs. Move vehicles off the street for low-boy deliveries. Protect the trees you want to keep with fencing outside the drip line. Designate a laydown area for pipe, fabric, and rebar. Share a neighbor contact list in case temporary access is required.

Getting value without cutting corners

If you need to stretch dollars, prioritize subgrade quality, drainage, and safe access over cosmetic grading. Ask for alternatives, such as reusing on-site soils where feasible, or phasing export and import to match concrete pours. Value engineering doesn’t mean doing less; it means doing the right work in the right order for homeowners.