HAWTHORNE, FLORIDA
House Pad Construction for a Future Home
After root raking the homesite, Dusty Roads constructed a 40-by-60-foot house pad for future residential construction. A slope of more than one foot across the site required approximately 12 loads—or 180 cubic yards—of clean fill dirt to create a level, stable pad.
Preparing the Homesite
The property owner had already partially cleared the area before Dusty Roads began work. Dusty Roads then root raked the homesite, removing roots and remaining woody material from the ground. There was enough room to push the resulting debris to the rear of the property rather than haul it away.
Once the root-raking work was complete, survey stakes marked the location of the planned 40-by-60-foot house pad.
The cleared site after root raking and before clean fill dirt was placed for the house pad.
The Site Challenge
The elevation changed by more than one foot from one side of the planned pad to the other. The original estimate called for approximately six loads of fill, but leveling the sloped site required six additional loads.
In total, approximately 12 loads—roughly 15 cubic yards each—were used. That placed the total amount of clean fill dirt at approximately 180 cubic yards.
Survey stakes marked the planned pad before fill placement. The existing ground dropped more than one foot across the site.
The Work Performed
Dusty Roads used the survey stakes and a laser level to establish the pad’s 40-by-60-foot layout and maintain the required elevation.
Clean fill dirt was placed in approximately one-foot lifts. The John Deere 333P compact track loader was used to spread and grade each layer, and a 10,000-pound vibrating roller compacted the fill before the next lift was added.
Dusty Roads personally operated both machines. Including the preliminary root raking and house-pad construction, the project took approximately one week.
Clean fill dirt was spread in approximately one-foot lifts and compacted with a 10,000-pound vibrating roller.
The completed pad. Additional fill is visible along the back-left corner, where the original ground elevation was lowest.
The Final Result
The completed 40-by-60-foot pad provided a level, compacted foundation area for the customer’s future home. The additional fill corrected the property’s cross-slope while providing the elevation and stability needed for the next phase of construction.
After construction, the house pad passed density testing, independently verifying that the fill met the required compaction standard.
Project Details
Location: Hawthorne, Florida
Customer’s goal: Prepare a homesite for future residential construction
House-pad size: 40 by 60 feet
Site preparation: Root raking with debris pushed to the rear of the property
Site challenge: More than one foot of elevation change across the pad area
Fill material: Clean fill dirt
Fill quantity: Approximately 12 loads at 15 cubic yards each—about 180 cubic yards total
Construction method: Fill spread and compacted in approximately one-foot lifts
Layout and elevation: Survey stakes and laser level
Equipment: John Deere 333P and 10,000-pound vibrating roller
Project duration: Approximately one week, including preliminary root raking
Verification: Completed pad passed density testing
Planning a House Pad or Site-Preparation Project?
If your property needs clearing, grading, or compacted fill before construction can begin, tell Dusty Roads what you are planning. You’ll receive a clear assessment of the site and a free project-specific quote.