Building a Solid Foundation: Preparing a Shop Pad on a Hillside

When you’re building a shop, garage, or home, the project’s success starts long before the concrete is poured. The foundation is only as good as the ground beneath it, and that’s where proper site preparation makes all the difference.

Our latest project was a building pad for a new shop on a hillside, which required careful planning, precision grading, and more than 1,000 yards of select fill to complete.

Understanding the Challenge

Hillside projects come with unique challenges. Without the right preparation, rainwater can collect in the wrong areas, the ground can shift, and the structure can settle unevenly. To prevent that, we began with a close look at the land to understand how water flows and where the natural slope needed adjustment. The goal was to create a stable surface that would last for decades.

Step 1: Grading and Slope Management

We started by grading the area to set a stable base and direct water away from the future shop. Grading on a hill takes skill and experience. If the slope is too steep, erosion becomes a problem. If it’s too flat, water won’t drain properly.

Our team created a gently crowned surface that encourages water to run off naturally while keeping the hillside secure and compact.

Step 2: Bringing in Select Fill

After the grade was established, we brought in over 1,000 cubic yards of select fill. Select fill is a high-quality soil blend that compacts easily and provides excellent support for structures like shops, driveways, and homes.

Instead of dumping all the material at once, we spread it in 8-inch layers, compacting each lift before adding the next. This process ensures every inch of the pad is firm, stable, and ready to support heavy loads without settling later on.

Step 3: Compaction and Verification

Each layer was compacted using heavy equipment and checked for consistency. Proper compaction removes air pockets and strengthens the soil, which helps prevent future cracks or foundation movement.

By the time we finished, the pad was level, dense, and ready for concrete crews to take over.

Step 4: Erosion Control and Finishing Touches

To protect the hillside from washing out, we installed geotextile fabric and rip rap stone along the slope. This combination allows water to flow freely while keeping the soil in place. In Tennessee, where we see plenty of heavy rain, erosion control is a key part of long-term site stability.

The result is a clean, solid pad with strong drainage and protection in place for years to come.

Why It Matters

A strong foundation starts with proper groundwork. When a site is graded and compacted the right way, it prevents costly problems down the road like shifting slabs, cracks, and drainage failures.

At WM Tucker Excavating, we take pride in preparing building pads, driveways, and home sites across Middle Tennessee. Our team has decades of experience with excavation, grading, drainage, and site preparation. Every job we take on is built to last from the ground up.

If you’re planning a new shop, garage, or home build, contact WM Tucker Excavating. We’ll evaluate your property, design a plan that fits your needs, and make sure your project starts on solid ground.

Categorised in: Grading

This post was written by andetruman