4. Rough Grade and Frame Drop

Rough Grade, what is it? What is the impact?
After your foundation is poured and the forms have been stripped you builder will do a form clean. This is where the lot is cleaned, all wood and concrete overspill pickup and placed in the job site dumpster or haul off to the dump depending on how your builder handles trash. Once the lot is cleaned you should get a rough grade. This is when the basic yard drainage is established. there are three basic types of drainage; they are referred to as 'A', 'B', and 'C'. 'A' drainage is horseshoe shaped with the water going back to front. The dirt slopes away from the foundation and then towards the front of the home. If you can imagine placing a horseshoe around your home with the opening towards the street. 'B' drainage is just the opposite. The opening of the horseshoe is opening towards the rear property line. Remember the yard should slope away from your foundation and into the horseshoe then to the opening. These are the two primary grades used in subdivisions/production home neighborhoods. Must towns, communities, states have a law that you can not drain your water onto others property unless there is a designated easement for drainage. 'C' drainage is used primarily on acreage lots. This is simply the water draining away from the home 360 degrees. Rough grade is important for job site safety also. Frames, cornice crews, and masons will set up scaffolding and use ladders. A well graded and drained site ensures their safety which enhances the quality of their work. Once the grade is complete (not before) you are ready for your frame drop. Depending on the size of your frame package it could come in several deliveries. There should never be more than a day and half worth of wood on the job at one time. With weather you do not want material sitting in water. Theft is also a consideration for when and how much you drop. Most lumber companies have several drop times and are accustomed to several drops. Early morning drops work real well. You have what should be a real pretty job site, take a picture. At this stage it is clean, graded, with your frame 'one' is sitting waiting for the framer.