What Happens Beneath Your Site? Why Soil Testing Should Always Come Before Commercial Excavation
When it comes to large-scale commercial construction projects, most attention is placed on what’s being built above ground—foundations, steelwork, concrete pads, and buildings. But what lies beneath the surface is just as critical, and often more unpredictable.
At Thomas Excavation, we’ve seen firsthand how skipping proper soil testing and pre-excavation assessments can derail entire projects. Whether you’re planning to build a warehouse, medical facility, retail plaza, or multi-unit housing development in Southeast Michigan, here’s why knowing your soil is the first step toward building it right.
Why Soil Matters for Commercial Construction
Every successful structure is built on a strong foundation—but that foundation is only as good as the ground it rests on. Michigan’s varied terrain includes clay-heavy soils, sandy loams, and compacted fill from old developments. Without testing, you have no idea what kind of ground you’re about to excavate—or how it will perform under the weight of a commercial building.
Poor or unstable soil can lead to:
- Foundation settlement or cracking
- Utility line movement or rupture
- Parking lot heaving
- Inadequate load-bearing capacity
- Water pooling and drainage failures
What Soil Testing Involves
Before breaking ground, a proper geotechnical investigation should be performed. This typically includes:
- Soil borings and sampling: Collected at multiple depths to evaluate consistency and composition
- Proctor testing: Determines the optimum moisture and compaction levels
- Bearing capacity analysis: Ensures the subgrade can support structures and slabs
- Permeability tests: Helps assess drainage and runoff behavior
- Contaminant screening: Essential for former industrial sites or brownfields
These results help engineers and excavation contractors like us make informed decisions on everything from cut/fill planning to drainage design.
What Can Go Wrong Without It
We’ve had developers call us halfway through a project after discovering:
- Voids or soft pockets under a slab
- Water-saturated clay that wouldn’t compact
- Subsurface debris from old demolitions
- Frost-susceptible soils causing shifting sidewalks
- Unexpected rock layers delaying trenching
All of these could have been prevented—or at least planned for—with proper testing upfront.
How Thomas Excavation Works With Soil Data
Once your geotechnical engineer provides a report, we:
- Review compaction requirements and site recommendations
- Adjust our excavation depths, haul-off estimates, or fill needs
- Coordinate with site managers to ensure OSHA and code compliance
- Use GPS-grade equipment for precise cuts and leveling
- Prep the subgrade to meet the structural needs of the job
We don’t just move dirt—we engineer stable job sites.
Don’t Just Dig—Plan
Many developers are tempted to jump into excavation to save time. But skipping or rushing soil analysis often results in costlier rework later. It’s not about delay—it’s about protecting your investment.
If you’re developing a commercial property in Southeast Michigan, call Thomas Excavation before the first scoop hits the ground. We’ll help you understand what’s beneath your site—and build with confidence above it.
