If you’ve never built a home before, a site plan can feel like reading another language — dotted lines, strange symbols, and notes that look more like math problems than construction instructions. But in Teton Valley, Victor, Driggs, Tetonia, or Alta, your site plan isn’t just paperwork. It’s the blueprint for how your dream home actually sits on your land.

And here’s the truth: if you don’t understand it, you’re flying blind.

That’s where working with an experienced excavation and site work contractor like Shawn at ParkFab can save you headaches (and expensive mistakes) from day one.

What Is a Site Plan?

In simple terms, your site plan is the map of your build. It shows:

  • Where your house will sit on your lot

  • How far it is from property lines and neighboring structures

  • The layout of your driveway, septic, water lines, and utilities

  • Elevations (how high or low different points on your lot are)

  • Drainage paths and grading details

It’s not just about where the walls go — it’s about how your land is shaped, how water moves, and how vehicles, equipment, and people will access the property.

The Parts Homeowners Usually Miss

Shawn has seen it all — homeowners who know where their kitchen island will be but have no idea what “finished floor elevation” means. Here are a few key elements you should understand:

1. Elevations & Grades
This tells you how flat (or sloped) your land will be after excavation. Get this wrong, and you could end up with water pooling against your foundation or a driveway too steep for winter use.

2. Setbacks
These are the legal boundaries you can’t build past. Shawn double-checks them before he ever moves dirt so you don’t run into permit issues later.

3. Utility Lines
Your site plan marks where water, sewer/septic, power, and gas lines go. Placing these correctly from the start saves thousands in future trenching.

4. Drainage & Water Flow
This is especially critical in Teton Valley’s freeze-thaw climate. Your site plan will show how stormwater leaves your property — but Shawn also looks at real-world grading to make sure the plan works in practice.

Why This Matters Before Excavation

If you’re working without a general contractor, the site plan is the bridge between your architect, your engineer, and your excavator. Shawn steps in as that bridge — reviewing your plan, explaining it in plain English, and flagging any issues before the machines roll in.

For example:

  • If your plan shows a septic tank location that’s too close to heavy equipment traffic, Shawn will adjust the install schedule so it’s protected.

  • If your driveway grade looks great on paper but will be a nightmare in icy conditions, he’ll recommend changes before it’s cut in.

  • If your water line path crosses a future retaining wall, he’ll coordinate to avoid costly rework.

A Hand Holder Who’s Also a Problem Solver

Plenty of excavators will just follow the plan without asking questions. Shawn does the opposite — he partners with you to make sure the plan actually works for your land, your budget, and Teton Valley’s challenging weather.

That means:

  • Walking the site with you before excavation starts

  • Explaining every major mark and measurement on your plan

  • Liaising with engineers, surveyors, and utility companies so nothing gets missed

If it’s your first build, that level of communication is priceless.

Build With Confidence

A site plan isn’t meant to be a mystery. With Shawn’s guidance, you’ll actually understand what you’re looking at — and know that every line and number is working to protect your investment for decades to come.

Call Shawn at ParkFab
📞 208-360-2411
📧 shawn@parkfab.com