Preparation of a Foundation

Clear the Area

• Unless the area on which you want to lay a foundation is a bare patch of grass or dirt, the first thing you will need to do is clear the area. Make sure the area is free of any trees, trunks, root systems, flowerbeds, sod, sprinklers or sinkholes, and that the area is never subjected to standing water. Also take note of existing concrete or gravel driveways that may need to be re-routed to accommodate a new foundation.

Dig Out the Area

• Once the area is cleared, you will need to dig out the area where you want to lay a foundation. How deep you will have to dig will depend on the type of foundation you're laying and the type of structure, if any, you intend to build on it, but most foundations will need to be dug out six to 12 inches deep. Reliable Remodeler warns not to dig too deep, or you will have to re-fill the hole and make sure the dirt is well compacted.

Level the Area

• After you have dug out the area for the foundation, you have to make sure it's level. Garden sheds, Inc. notes that a line level or laser is the best tool to determine whether a site is level, as areas that aren't truly level often appear so to the naked eye. Fill lower areas with sand or soil to make the ground level, and you may need to have the ground compacted, depending on what you plan to build on it.

Put in Forms

• Once the site is level, you can put the "forms" in place along the perimeter of the area you've dug out. These forms are usually straight pieces of lumber or plastic that will hold the gravel, crushed rock or cement as it is poured into the frame the forms create. Reliable Remodeler notes that forms should be set firmly in place so they are secure to both the ground and each other to reduce gaps and prevent the frame from shifting.