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Building a Custom Home in Alburtis, Berks County, PA – Phase 3: Utility Trenching & Underground Sitework

  • Writer: Pankey Nelson
    Pankey Nelson
  • 6 days ago
  • 5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Closeup on a backhoe in use, digging out a trench. You can see the operator concentrating on the work. In the background are trees and a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

A custom home needs a lot more than a foundation. Once the basement is excavated and the foundation is complete, it's time to start bringing the infrastructure that will make the home function.


For this new home build in Alburtis, Berks County, PA, Phase 3 of our sitework focused on utility trenching and underground services. We returned to the property to prepare the trenches and connections for the well, electrical service, and propane.


It's another phase of the build that will eventually disappear beneath the finished property. And that's exactly how we like it.


At K+L Construction, we specialize in the work that happens from the ground down, preparing the site so the rest of the home can come together from the framing up.


Utility Trenching & Underground Sitework for a New Home Build


When several utilities need to reach a new home, careful planning and coordination are important.


This phase included:

  • Well line trenching

  • Electrical trenching

  • Electrical conduit installation, with pull line

  • Propane tank installation

  • Propane fuel line trenching


Each utility has different installation requirements, and different contractors may be responsible for different portions of the work. Our job is to prepare the site so those systems can be installed correctly without creating unnecessary excavation or rework later.


Trenching for the Well Line


The well itself was installed by a well company, but their scope did not include trenching the line from the well to the house. 


When it was time for connection, we came in with a mini excavator to dig the short line to the house. We're happy to work with other contractors and make their jobs easier!


Preparing the Underground Electrical Service

The electrical setup for this property is partially underground. A utility pole will be located partway up the driveway, with the electrical service continuing underground from the pole to the house.


Because the transformer will be installed on the pole, a separate transformer pad was not necessary for this project.


We excavated the underground electrical trench and installed the electrical conduit with a pull line in place for the power company to use.


The trench was bedded with screenings, and the conduit was installed so the electric company and electrician could complete their portions of the installation seemlessly.


Proper preparation at this stage helps keep the next phase moving.


Burying the Propane Tank

We also installed the propane tank and fuel line during this phase. Rather than leaving the propane tank sitting above ground in the middle of the yard (talk about an eye sore), the homeowners chose to have it buried.


Using our excavator, we were able to carefully pick up, move, and lower the tank into the prepared excavation. We backfilled with screenings, and now the tank is easily accessible, but out of site.


Burying the tank is a relatively small detail compared to the rest of the construction project, but it will make a noticeable difference once the property is finished and landscaped.


Why Construction Sequencing Matters


There's more to good sitework than knowing how to operate an excavator.

You also have to understand when each part of the work should happen.


Our next phase on this project will be the installation of the stormwater management system. We're intentionally waiting until the other contractors working outside are finished before installing those drainage pipes.


Why?


Because the drywall contractors and finishers inside still have a dumpster outside where one of the rain gardens goes. Once they are finished and the dumpster is removed, we'll be able to confidently put in the rain gardens knowing they won't accidently be ruined by other contractors.


Waiting until the site is ready protects the work and eliminates unnecessary rework and repairs.


It's one of those decisions that may not be obvious to a homeowner—but it's part of what an experienced residential sitework contractor brings to a new construction project.


Trenching & Underground Sitework


At this point in the project, another layer of the future home is taking shape.


The basement excavation created the footprint.

The foundation drainage protects the foundation.

The backfill and stone base prepared the interior for construction to begin.


And now the utility trenching is creating the pathways for the systems that will make the house functional.


Much of this work will eventually be buried and forgotten.

That's okay with us.


We're building this home from the ground down so the homeowners can focus on everything they'll see from the ground up.


As this project continues, we'll keep documenting the work from the ground down—including the stormwater systems that will become invisible but will play an important role in how the finished property functions.


Frequently Asked Questions

Image of a sewer lateral line laid in a deep trench, atop a bed of stone. There is a vent/access line vertically up to the top of the trench.

Why don’t you combine all the adjacent utilities into one trench?

Trenched utilities include electric, water, sewage and in this case, fuel. Some of these may be physically close together, but each needs its own space. Each one can cause damage to the others, catastrophic in some cases.


Why have electrical service partially underground?

New construction properties can have different electrical layouts depending on the surroundings, utility company's requirements and the property's design. Underground electrical service has several advantages, including vulnerability to weather, so homeowners may want to go underground as close to the road as possible. On this project, the electrical service will come to a pole partway up the driveway before continuing underground to the house.


Why bury a propane tank?

Burying a propane tank can create a cleaner finished appearance by keeping the tank from becoming a visible feature in the yard. On this project, we used our excavator to carefully place the tank underground and connected it to the house with an underground fuel line.


Follow This Custom Home Build

See how this project is coming together from the ground down:


Proudly Serving Berks County and Surrounding Areas

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K+L Construction provides excavation sitework, construction services, basement excavation, foundation drainage, water management, concrete, utility trenching and installation, grading, and site preparation throughout Bucks County, Berks County, Montgomery County, Lehigh County, and neighboring communities throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Boyertown, Bally, Fleetwood, Kutztown, Oley, Topton, Bechtelsville, Reading, Pottstown, Quakertown, and more.


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Building a custom home and looking for an experienced sitework contractor to handle everything from the foundation down?


K+L Construction works with homeowners, owner-builders, and general contractors to coordinate the excavation, drainage, utilities, grading, and other sitework needed to keep a new home build moving forward.


Fill out our online estimate request form today to start the conversation.


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