What must a grade setter do before excavation can begin?

Before excavation can commence, it is critical for a grade setter to establish accurate reference points, which is achieved by setting hubs. Hubs serve as markers for the proposed elevation and alignment of the project, providing exact points where work should commence. This step is essential in ensuring that the subsequent excavation adheres to the design specifications and achieves the intended grading outcomes, as they give a clear visual guide for the crew to follow.

While conducting soil tests, creating a blueprint, and marking property lines are also important activities in the overall site preparation process, they are not the immediate steps required to initiate excavation. Soil tests are usually performed prior to setting hubs to understand the ground conditions. A blueprint outlines the design but does not serve as a physical point of reference needed for excavation. Marking property lines is crucial for legal reasons to avoid encroaching on neighboring properties, but it’s the accurate setting of hubs that directly supports the execution of excavation work.