Build-Ready Sites CA Contractor #1117491 OSHA-10 Certified

Property Restoration

Demolition ends with a cleared lot. But a cleared lot is not a build-ready lot. Property restoration is the critical step between demolition and new construction — grading, backfill, compaction, and site prep that gives your builder a foundation-ready surface. We handle it as part of every demolition project or as a standalone service.

5.0 Rating · 65+ Reviews Soils Engineer Coordination Build-Ready Lots

From Cleared Lot to Build-Ready Site

Property restoration covers everything that happens after the structure is down and the debris is gone. This is the phase that determines whether your builder can start immediately or whether they need to do weeks of additional site work first.

Backfill

Excavated areas from foundation removal, basements, or underground structures filled with engineered material. Clean, imported fill placed in controlled lifts — no demolition debris, no organic material, no shortcuts.

Compaction

Fill compacted in 6 to 8 inch lifts to 90%–95% relative compaction. Each lift verified before the next is placed. This is not surface-level compaction — it is engineered to support new construction loads without settling.

Finish Grading

Lot shaped to final elevation with proper drainage slope. Water directed away from the building pad and adjacent properties toward approved discharge points. Flat, even surface ready for foundation layout.

Soils Engineering Coordination

We work with Raney Geotechnical and other licensed soils engineers to schedule compaction testing during our work. No gap between our compaction and their testing — your builder receives a certified soils report.

Utility Prep

Existing utility stub-outs located, protected, and marked during restoration. If utilities were disconnected and capped during demolition, we ensure they are accessible for your builder to reconnect.

Topsoil & Finish

For lots that will be landscaped rather than built on, we apply topsoil and grade for drainage and aesthetics. Common for property sales, vacant lot maintenance, or projects with a delayed build timeline.

We Hand Off a
Build-Ready Lot

Most demolition contractors leave you with a rough-cleared site and call it done. That leaves your builder dealing with weeks of additional site work before they can pour a foundation. We deliver a lot that is ready for construction — proper elevation, compacted soil, drainage grading, and utility access.

We coordinate directly with your builder or general contractor on grade elevation, utility locations, setbacks, and any site-specific requirements. The handoff is seamless because we communicate before, during, and after the restoration work.

Homeowners Rebuilding

Your house came down and you want to build new on the same lot. We handle everything from demolition through build-ready site prep so your builder can start on schedule.

Builders & General Contractors

You need a clean site at the right grade with compacted soil and a soils report. We deliver exactly that — no extra site work, no delays to your construction timeline.

Property Sellers

A graded, clean lot sells faster and for more than a lot with debris and an uneven surface. We prepare vacant lots for sale with finish grading, topsoil, and proper drainage.

Probate & Inherited Properties

Inherited a property with a condemned structure or fire damage? We demolish, clean up, and restore the lot so it can be rebuilt on or sold. We can even coordinate payment through escrow.

Property Restoration Process

01

Site Assessment

Evaluate the lot after demolition and debris removal. Determine fill requirements, drainage needs, compaction specs, and coordination with your builder or soils engineer.

02

Backfill & Compaction

Import engineered fill. Place in controlled lifts. Compact each lift to specification. Soils engineer on site for testing during compaction if required by your project.

03

Finish Grading

Shape the lot to final elevation. Establish drainage slope. Create a flat, even building pad. Verify grade against your builder's requirements or survey stakes.

04

Handoff

Deliver compaction test results and soils report to your builder. Confirm utility locations. Your lot is build-ready — foundation work can begin immediately.

One Contractor. Demo Through Site Prep.

Most property owners hire a demolition contractor, then a separate grading contractor, then coordinate between the two. With Demo Patrol, it is one crew from permit to build-ready lot.

CA Contractor #1117491

Licensed California demolition contractor with full liability and workers' compensation coverage on every project.

Full-Cycle Service

Permits, demolition, debris removal, backfill, compaction, and grading — all one crew, one contract, one point of contact. No coordination between multiple contractors.

Soils Engineer Relationships

We work with Raney Geotechnical and other licensed geotechnical engineers. Compaction testing scheduled during our work — no waiting, no scheduling gaps.

Own Equipment

Excavators, compactors, graders, dump trucks, and water trucks. We own the equipment needed for proper site restoration — no rental delays, no subcontractors.

Transparent Pricing

Restoration costs broken out separately in your estimate. You know exactly what you are paying for backfill, compaction, grading, and soils testing before we start.

No Gaps in Timeline

Demolition flows directly into cleanup, cleanup flows into restoration. No waiting between phases, no scheduling conflicts. Your project stays on track.

5.0 Google Rating 65+ Five-Star Reviews Northern California

Related Services

Property restoration is the final phase of a complete demolition project. We handle every step that comes before it.

Property Restoration FAQs

Property restoration is the work that happens between demolition and new construction. After a structure comes down and debris is removed, the lot needs to be prepared for whatever comes next — a new build, landscaping, or sale. That means grading for proper drainage, backfilling excavated areas with engineered fill, compacting soil in lifts to meet engineering specifications, and leaving the site at finished grade. Without proper restoration, a builder cannot start foundation work.
Property restoration typically adds $3,000–$10,000 to a demolition project depending on the size of the lot, depth of excavation, type of fill material required, and whether soils engineering is involved. Simple finish grading on a flat residential lot is on the lower end. Full backfill, compaction testing, and engineered grading for new construction is on the higher end. We provide an itemized estimate that breaks out restoration costs separately from demolition.
If you are building a new structure on the site, most jurisdictions require a soils report and compaction testing by a licensed geotechnical engineer. We work regularly with Raney Geotechnical and other local soils engineers who provide the testing and certification your builder needs. They verify that our compaction meets the engineered specification — typically 90% to 95% relative compaction depending on the project. We coordinate the scheduling so there is no gap between our work and their testing.
Backfill is adding material to fill an excavated area — like a foundation hole or basement — and compacting it in lifts to meet engineering specifications. Grading is shaping the surface of the lot for proper drainage, slope, and elevation. Most property restoration projects involve both: backfilling the excavation left by foundation removal, then grading the entire lot to finished elevation with proper drainage away from adjacent properties and toward approved discharge points.
Yes. That is exactly what property restoration is designed to do. After we demolish the existing structure and remove all debris, we backfill any excavations, compact in lifts, grade to finished elevation, and leave a lot that meets the requirements for new construction. Your builder can come in and start foundation work without additional site preparation. If your project requires soils engineering, we coordinate that as part of our scope.
One to three days for most residential lots. Backfill and compaction on a standard foundation removal takes a day. Finish grading adds another day. If soils testing is required, we schedule the geotechnical engineer to be on site during compaction so there is no waiting period. The restoration phase is typically the last step in our demolition process and is scheduled as a continuous workflow.
Yes. We work regularly with builders, general contractors, and developers who need demolition and site preparation before they begin new construction. We coordinate directly with your builder on elevation, grade, utility locations, and any site-specific requirements so the handoff is seamless. Many builders prefer working with us because we deliver a build-ready lot — not a rough-cleared site that needs additional work.
Engineered fill — clean, imported material that meets the specifications set by the project soils engineer. We do not use demolition debris, organic material, or uncontrolled fill for backfill on build-ready projects. The fill is placed in lifts — typically 6 to 8 inch layers — and compacted to the required density before the next lift is placed. This ensures the soil beneath your new foundation will support the structure without settling.

Have a question about property restoration?

Call (916) 269-9668

Need a Build-Ready Lot?

Demolition, cleanup, and property restoration — all one contractor. Grading, compaction, and soils engineer coordination included. Free estimate.

No Obligation 24-Hour Response Written Quotes