Custom Homes
Custom Home Site Prep & Excavation in Southern Oregon
From lot clearing through final grade, Pacific Earthworks is the dirt-work partner builders and owner-builders rely on to get the land ready before framing starts, across the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon.
Overview
The dirt work that sets your whole build up right
Every custom home starts with the earth, and the quality of the site work done before the first board goes up determines how the rest of the build goes. A poorly graded pad, an undersized footing trench, or a drainage problem left unresolved will follow the house for its entire life.
Pacific Earthworks handles the full earthwork scope for new custom home builds in Southern Oregon: lot clearing, site grading, compacted building pads, foundation and footing excavation, utility trenching, driveway construction, and drainage. We work directly with general contractors as the dedicated dirt-work sub, and we work with owner-builders managing their own project from the ground up.
The Rogue Valley and the surrounding hill country bring real site challenges, steep terrain, heavy timber, hard rock, and wet winters. We have the equipment and the local knowledge to handle all of it, and we communicate clearly at every stage so your build stays on schedule.
What We Offer
Custom home site prep services
- Lot & land clearing, trees, brush, stumps, and debris removed and disposed of
- Site grading & building pad, cut, fill, and compaction to create a solid, level building surface
- Foundation excavation & footings, precise digging to plan specs, including footing trenches and stem walls
- Utility trenching, water, power, septic, and drainage lines trenched to proper depth and grade
- Driveway & access roads, gravel or native-surface driveways graded and crowned for drainage
- Erosion & drainage control, swales, rock check dams, and erosion fabric to keep the site stable during construction
- Rock & retaining walls as needed, boulder walls and cut-slope retention where the terrain calls for it
- Final grade, finished grading around the foundation to direct water away from the structure
Why Pacific Earthworks
Why builders choose us for their site prep
Schedule-Driven
We understand that your framing crew, foundation sub, and concrete supplier are all waiting on the dirt. We build to a schedule and communicate proactively when anything changes.
Licensed & Insured
CCB #239526. Pacific Earthworks is fully licensed, bonded, and insured, the standard for any contractor working on a permitted home build in Oregon.
Tough Lots Welcome
Steep hillsides, heavy timber, rocky soils, Southern Oregon's challenging terrain is where we do our best work. We have the equipment to handle what other subs won't take on.
Where We Work
Custom home site prep across the Rogue Valley
Based in Williams and serving Southern Oregon. We prepare custom home sites in:
- Grants Pass
- Williams
- Medford
- Ashland
- Jacksonville
- Central Point
- Cave Junction
- Eagle Point
Questions, Answered
Custom Home Site Prep FAQs
What does site prep for a custom home include?
Custom home site prep covers everything from raw land to a ready-to-build pad. That typically includes lot clearing (trees, brush, stumps), rough and finish grading, the compacted building pad, foundation excavation and footing trenches, utility trenching for water, power, septic, and drainage lines, driveway and access road construction, and erosion control measures. The exact scope depends on your lot and your plans.
How much does custom home site work cost in Southern Oregon?
Site work costs vary widely based on lot size, how much clearing is needed, slope and rock conditions, the depth and complexity of the foundation, and the length of utility runs. A flat, lightly wooded lot costs less than a steep, heavily timbered hillside. The only reliable way to get an accurate number is a free on-site quote, call (541) 512-5280.
Do you work with builders or owner-builders?
Both. Pacific Earthworks works closely with general contractors as the dedicated dirt-work subcontractor, and we also work directly with owner-builders who are managing their own build. Either way, we coordinate with your schedule and communicate clearly about what the site will look like at each handoff point.
How long does site prep take for a new home?
Duration depends on lot conditions and the scope of work. A straightforward pad and foundation on a cleared, accessible lot may take a few days to a couple of weeks. A wooded, sloped lot requiring significant clearing, rock work, and long utility runs will take longer. We give you a realistic schedule when we quote the job so your framing crew isn't waiting on us.
Do I need permits for site work, and can you help?
Most grading, excavation, and utility work tied to a new home build requires permits from your county. Pacific Earthworks is licensed (CCB #239526) and familiar with the permitting requirements in Josephine and Jackson counties. We'll let you know what permits apply to your project and can advise on the process, though permit applications are typically pulled by the property owner or general contractor.
Can you build on a steep or wooded lot?
Yes. Much of Southern Oregon, Williams, Applegate, and surrounding areas, is hilly and forested. We have the equipment and experience to clear, cut, and grade on steep and wooded lots, including rock work and benching where needed. Challenging lots are where good site prep work really matters, and that's exactly the kind of work we do.
Related Services
Often paired with custom home site prep
Ready to Break Ground
Get a free site prep quote for your custom home
Tell us about your lot, your plans, and your timeline. We'll walk the site, give you honest options, and put together a free estimate.
(541) 512-5280