How do I prepare my yard for an addition project in Ottawa?

Preparing your yard before your addition contractor arrives can prevent delays and damage during the early stages of construction. A little planning with your contractor goes a long way.

Start with buried utilities. Before any digging, locates for underground lines such as hydro, gas and telecom need to be requested through Ontario One Call. Ask your contractor who is requesting them and make sure it happens before excavation. In older neighbourhoods, services don't always run where you'd expect, so this step matters.

Next, look at what needs to be removed or moved from the work zone. The contractor needs room around the addition footprint for excavation equipment, material storage and access. Ask how much space they need, then plan to move garden beds, fence sections, sheds, play structures and other features out of the way. Transplant plants you want to keep well before work starts.

Trees deserve early attention. Excavation can damage roots well beyond the trunk. If you have significant trees near the work area, ask the City whether a permit or tree report is required before any work near or removal of a tree, and consider having an arborist advise on protection.

Think about grading and drainage. Many Ottawa lots have clay soil that drains slowly, and excavation will disturb existing drainage. Take photos of how water moves across your yard in a heavy rain; it helps your contractor plan final grading so water doesn't pool against the new foundation or flow onto your neighbour's lot. Ask where excavated soil will be stockpiled and whether its removal and disposal are included in the quote.

Protect your driveway, walkways and landscaping. Heavy equipment can crack concrete and interlock. Discuss access routes with your contractor and ask whether they'll use plates or plywood to spread the load. If your lot has limited access, ask how materials will be delivered and whether special equipment will be needed, and get that priced up front.

Finally, call your home insurer about the upcoming construction to ask whether your policy needs any change during the build. If you have permit or bylaw questions, Building Code Services can help (buildingpermits@ottawa.ca). You can browse addition contractors in the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com and compare quotes.

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