Inspect and Plan a Residential Hardscaping Project

A. Finished Document Specification

Deliverable: one completed Hardscape Readiness Worksheet for one proposed walkway, patio, gravel path, retaining wall, stair, or paver area, recording project definition, boundary verification, utility-locate confirmation, site hazard inventory, drainage findings, area measurements, adjacent-interface inspection, soil and access evaluation, review-trigger findings, preliminary material selection, preliminary quantity and logistics notes, deficiency and prerequisite list, reinspection record where applicable, and a final readiness decision.

B. Readiness Record Schedule

Record	Required Content	Source
Project definition	Type, use, loading, dimensions, finish, surrounding interfaces	Owner input and site plan
Boundary verification	Property lines, setbacks, easements, right-of-way, prohibited zones	Property survey and site plan
Utility locate confirmation	Locate ticket number, response date, marked utilities present	Utility-locating service
Site hazard inventory	Foundations, slabs, walks, driveways, trees, roots, irrigation, drains, wells, tanks, slopes, buried obstructions	Field inspection
Drainage findings	High points, low points, runoff sources, discharge paths, ponding, erosion, foundation-water risk	Field inspection
Area measurements	Length, width, area, perimeter, grade change, transition elevations	Field measurement
Adjacent-interface inspection	Doors, gates, steps, siding, vents, weeps, fences, walls, adjacent paving	Field inspection
Soil and fill evaluation	Visible soil condition, evidence of previous fill or disturbance, soft-spot probe results	Field inspection and probing
Access evaluation	Delivery, pallet, aggregate, excavator, compactor, saw, and worker access; pedestrian, traffic, neighbor, dust, noise, and slurry controls	Field inspection
Review-trigger findings	Retaining-wall surcharge, step geometry, drainage connection, driveway loading, or work near foundations requiring design review	Field inspection against governing documents
Material selection	Compatible pavers, blocks, base aggregate, bedding, edge restraint, joint material, drainage components, accessories	Manufacturer instructions and project definition
Preliminary quantities and logistics	Preliminary material quantities and access or delivery logistics notes	Area measurements and material selection
Deficiency and prerequisite list	Every unresolved condition and the prerequisite required to resolve it	All prior records
Readiness decision	Approved, conditional, or rejected, with reasoning	Full worksheet review

C. Governing Document Checklist

• Site plan and property survey: confirms property lines, easements, and existing site features.
• Grading and drainage plan: confirms existing and intended drainage direction, outlets, and elevations.
• Utility records: confirms known utility corridors before the locate request is submitted.
• Product requirements: confirms manufacturer compatibility and use limits for candidate materials.
• Permit conditions: confirms required permits, inspections, and jurisdictional limits before work proceeds beyond this chapter.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Governing documents	Site plan, property information, grading plan, drainage information, utility records, product requirements, and permit conditions are obtained or a documented plan exists to obtain each before construction begins
Utility locate	A utility-locating request has been submitted and a confirmed response received before any probing, staking, or ground disturbance in the affected area
Boundary verification	Property lines, setbacks, easements, right-of-way, and prohibited work zones are confirmed against the property survey and site plan
Drainage findings	Every high point, low point, runoff source, discharge path, ponding area, erosion area, and foundation-water risk within or adjacent to the project area is recorded
Area measurements	Length, width, area, perimeter, grade change, and transition elevations are recorded relative to a stated fixed reference
Review-trigger findings	Every condition identified in Section H below is referred to the required qualified professional and recorded as referred, pending, or resolved
Deficiency list	Every unresolved condition found during inspection appears on the deficiency and prerequisite list with a stated corrective action
Readiness decision	The worksheet states one of: Approved, Conditionally Approved (with listed conditions), or Rejected (with listed reasons), signed and dated

E. Preparation — Gather Documents and Define the Project

1. Obtain the site plan, property information, grading plan, drainage information, utility records, product requirements, and permit conditions. Request from the property owner, prior contractor, municipal records office, or design professional any document not already available, and note on the worksheet any document not yet obtained.
2. Define project type, use, loading, dimensions, finish, and surrounding interfaces. Complete the Project Definition Record above using the owner's stated intent and the site plan.
3. Verify property lines, setbacks, easements, public right-of-way, and prohibited work zones. Compare the property survey and site plan against visible property markers and record any discrepancy.
4. Request required utility locating. Submit the locate request for the full project area with enough lead time for the required response before any ground disturbance.

F. Site Inspection — Hazards, Drainage, and Measurement

1. Inspect the site for foundations, slabs, walks, driveways, trees, roots, irrigation, drains, wells, tanks, slopes, and buried obstructions. Record each item found within or adjacent to the project area on the site hazard inventory.
2. Record existing high points, low points, runoff sources, discharge paths, ponding, erosion, and foundation-water risks. Use the line level or laser level and the fixed reference established in the Measurement Cue above.
3. Measure project length, width, area, perimeter, grade change, and transition elevations. Record every measurement relative to the same fixed reference used for drainage findings.
4. Inspect doors, gates, steps, siding, vents, weeps, fences, walls, and adjacent paving. Record required clearances and any existing condition that could be affected by the proposed project.
5. Evaluate visible soil and evidence of previous fill or disturbance. Record color, texture, and any visible signs of prior excavation, fill placement, or grading.
6. Probe for soft spots and unstable areas. Probe at a regular interval across the project area and record any location where the probe rod penetrates with unusually little resistance.

G. Access, Controls, and Seasonal Evaluation

1. Identify delivery, pallet, aggregate, excavator, compactor, saw, and worker access. Record route width, overhead clearance, slope, and any obstruction affecting each type of access.
2. Identify pedestrian, traffic, neighbor, dust, noise, and slurry controls. Record which controls will be required based on the site's location and surrounding use.
3. Evaluate freeze-thaw exposure, shade, drainage, tree roots, and seasonal ground movement. Record conditions that may affect material selection or long-term performance.

H. Review Triggers and Stop-Work Determination

1. Identify whether retaining-wall surcharge, step geometry, drainage connection, driveway loading, or work near foundations requires design review. Compare findings against the governing documents and record each trigger as referred, pending, or not applicable.
2. Stop work for disputed boundaries, unidentified utilities, unstable slopes, contaminated soil, uncontrolled drainage, or structural conflicts. Record the specific condition, the required referral, and the qualified professional contacted.

I. Material Selection and Preliminary Quantities

1. Select compatible pavers, blocks, base aggregate, bedding, edge restraint, joint material, drainage components, and accessories. Record the manufacturer's stated compatible-use conditions for each selected material against the project definition and site findings.
2. Prepare preliminary quantity and logistics calculations. Use the recorded area measurements to estimate material quantities and record access or delivery logistics notes from Section G.

J. Deficiency Review and Final Decision

1. Prepare a deficiency and prerequisite list. List every unresolved condition identified in Sections E through I, with the specific prerequisite required to resolve each one.
2. Reinspect corrected conditions. Return to the site and reconfirm any condition that was corrected, marked, or resolved after the initial inspection, and record the reinspection date and result.
3. Issue an approved, conditional, or rejected hardscape-readiness decision. State the decision in writing on the worksheet, list any conditions attached to a conditional approval, and list the specific reasons for a rejected decision.