From Clearing to Final Grade in One Scope

When you are building a custom home on raw land, the site work includes clearing, excavation, septic installation, utility trenching, drainage grading, and final prep for landscaping, all of which need to be sequenced so one trade does not undo the work of another. In Pownal, where building lots often include ledge, wetlands, or steep slopes, coordinating those phases with a single earthwork partner prevents delays and miscommunication between separate contractors. McGovern Earthworks handles the full scope of site development, from the first tree removal to the final grade that your landscape crew or hardscape installer will build on.

The process starts with clearing and rough grading to establish access and define the building pad. Excavation follows for the foundation, septic system, and utility lines. Once those are in place, finish grading sets the final elevations around the house, directs stormwater away from the structure, and prepares areas for driveways, walkways, or lawns. This approach is especially useful for high-end or custom builds where the site layout needs to match architectural details and the builder expects a clean, coordinated schedule.

If you are planning a new home in Pownal and want one earthwork contractor managing the full site scope, McGovern Earthworks can review the plans and outline the timeline from clearing through final grade.

What changes from raw land to building-ready site

Site development in Pownal begins with clearing trees, stumps, and brush from the building envelope and access routes. Rough grading establishes the driveway path and levels the area where the house will sit. Excavation for the foundation is completed to the depth and dimensions in the building plans, and trenches are dug for water, sewer, electric, and any conduit runs. Septic system installation is coordinated as part of the same phase, so the leach field and tank are placed before final grading begins.

When the work is finished, you will see a building pad at the correct elevation, utilities stubbed to the foundation or mechanical entry points, and drainage graded to move water away from the house and toward safe discharge areas. The driveway base is in place, and areas designated for landscaping or hardscaping are leveled and free of construction debris. Builders can start framing without waiting for additional site prep, and landscape contractors can begin work as soon as the home is weather-tight.

McGovern Earthworks schedules each phase to align with your builder's timeline and coordinates with septic designers, utility providers, and inspectors to keep the project moving. The team uses GPS grading equipment on larger sites to ensure elevations match the engineered plans, and all work is completed to support long-term drainage and site stability.

People building new homes usually want to know how long site development takes, what happens if ledge is encountered, and how the work is coordinated with other contractors.

McGovern Earthworks provides full-scope site development for new homes in Pownal, handling clearing, excavation, septic, utilities, and finish grading as a single coordinated effort. If you are building a custom home and want one contractor managing the earthwork from start to finish, the team can review your plans and explain how the site will progress.