4 Things about Ground Improvement that every General Contractor Should Know

1. 4 Things about Ground Improvement that every General Contractor Should Know Knowing and understanding the process of ground improvement helps general contractors in all the phases of a project, right from its concept to its construction. If you are negotiating your work on a project, a basic understanding of the ground improvement might enable you to provide value-added solutions that the engineer has not taken into consideration. If you are looking for general contractors in Los Angeles, some of the essential aspects of aggregate pier construction that general contractors should know about include: The Installation Techniques The general contractor should have a basic understanding of various types of installation techniques and the equipment that would be used on-site. The contractor must know if it is a top-feed or a bottom-feed project and also the pieces of equipment required by the process. Such elements are project-specific and are determined by the contractor. Pre-Drilling Requirements Get to know whether or not your general contractor plans to pre-drill the aggregate piers. Some contractors might approach the project with an assumption that they could install the aggregate piers without having to pre-drill. But if they decide to pre-drill once on-site, they might ask you for money. So it is very important to ask this question while reviewing the bids.

2. Spoil Quantities and Removal Learn how much spoil is generated during the construction and who actually is responsible for removing the spoils. However, there are some pier contractors who allow installing the piers without pre-drilling only if the soil conditions allow so. This technique could save a considerable amount of money by eliminating the spoils on a particular project. So if spoils are anticipated, ensure that you plan accordingly for the removal of spoil. Communication and Collaboration The most necessary aspect is developing a comfort level with your general contractor for the aggregate pier design and installation? A good geotechnical contractor communicates with the general contractor and other project team members, so that everyone looks good to the owner and seeds for a successful project are planted. Remember, ground improvement is a very vital part of any construction process, and this is why you need to work with a general contractor whom you can trust and work with.