Construction Site Setup Checklist to Prepare for Modular Building
The time and landscape of modular and traditional construction are different. Traditional construction requires a lot of on-site construction management. But with the modular construction process, the majority of the work takes place off-site. In fact, modular buildings are delivered to the job site up to 90% complete. This changes the way that the construction site is set up and operated. If you’re new to construction management for modular building, follow our checklist for construction site setup.
Modular Construction Site Activities

While the majority of modular building activity — the construction and finishing of the individual building modules — is completed off-site, there is a lot happening on the final construction site. This includes:
- Excavation
- Grading
- Site drainage
- Foundation construction
- Utility installation
- Delivery of modules and final assembly
But before any of this on-site activity can begin, you need to go through the construction site setup checklist below and make sure you’ve checked off these tasks.

Your Checklist for Construction Site Setup
- Set Boundaries — The first step in the construction site setup is establishing and staking the boundaries of your construction site. You’ll use the architect’s blueprints to accomplish this. You’ll also need to erect temporary fencing around your site using chain link fencing, boards, or wire mesh.
- Soil Tests — Soil evaluations are necessary to determine if any areas of the site are contaminated. Soil tests also confirm that the land can handle the necessary construction tasks, namely excavation and pouring concrete. An environmental engineer can run a soil test for you, as well as perform a ground scan (see below).
- Ground Scans — A ground scan needs to be done to identify any potential hazards located under the construction site. These can include old wells and shafts, electrical cables, or gas and water channels. It is important to mark the location of these possible risks clearly to avoid potentially dangerous accidents at the site. Flags, spray paint, or wood stakes can serve as warning markers.
- Utilities Access — Conducting administrative duties on the job site requires that your team has utility access. You’ll need to coordinate the setup of electric, water, phone, and Internet access to your construction office.
- Construction Office — An on-site office is necessary to provide a place for job site managers to work, hold project meetings, and store and organize project documents. Depending on the size and length of your construction project, your construction office can be as small as a one-room office or as large as a multi-story structure with multiple individual offices.
- Traffic Management — You need to create a traffic management plan for your site that allows vehicles and pedestrians to move around the site safely. Important considerations include keeping people and construction vehicles apart, minimizing vehicle movement, and maintaining visibility for vehicle operators and pedestrians.
- Materials Storage — You’ll need to designate an area where construction materials and individual building modules will be delivered and stored until you’re ready for final assembly. It’s important to choose an area of your construction site that’s level and well-drained.
- Waste Management — Designate an area where you will handle on-site waste management, and set up separate collection receptacles for salvaging, recycling, and disposing of non-hazardous materials.
- Site Security — All construction sites need to be secured with locks and security/hazard signage to protect your equipment and materials and to keep trespassers from harming themselves. Beyond surface-level security options, you can also implement security cameras or alarms around the perimeter of your site.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the checklist above, we can help you along the way. Building with BOXX Modular gives you the benefit of our comprehensive approach that will check off all of your “to-do” boxes.
Contact a modular building expert in your area for more information and a free quote.
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