Portland Site Preparation — Build on Solid Ground

Complete Site Preparation Services for Construction Projects

From raw wooded land to construction-ready building pads — we provide complete site preparation including clearing, grading, compaction, and drainage for Portland residential and commercial projects.

Licensed & Insured

ISA Certified

25k+ Projects

Oregon DEQ Compliant

Portland-Built

Built for Portland’s unique landscape & regulations.

WHY LAND MANAGEMENT MATTERS

Portland Site Preparation: Foundations Start Here

Proper site preparation prevents costly future problems. Our team handles grading, soil stabilization, and erosion control on Portland’s unique clay soils and variable terrain.

 

OUR PROCESS

What's Included

Vegetation clearing and grubbing (root removal)

Topsoil stripping and stockpiling

Rough grading and cut-and-fill earthwork

Building pad creation and compaction

Slope stabilization and retaining wall preparation

Drainage swales and French drain installation

Driveway and access road grading

Foundation excavation preparation

 Real Results

Before & After Transformations

See the dramatic transformations we deliver for Portland-area property owners.

Before

Dense overgrown lot with blackberry and brush

After

Clean, graded, usable land ready for development

How It Works

Our 6-Step Clearing Process

From first call to final walkthrough, we handle every detail so you don’t have to.

01
Engineering Review

We review site plans, soils reports, and topographic surveys.

02
Clearing & Grubbing

All vegetation, stumps, and root systems are removed to specified depth.

03
Topsoil Strip

Organic topsoil is stripped and stockpiled for later finish grading.

04
Rough Grading

Cut-and-fill earthwork brings the site to design elevation, managing Portland’s frequent slope changes.

05
Compaction

Subgrade is compacted to engineer-specified density (typically 95% Proctor).

06
Drainage Installation

Swales, French drains, and catch basins installed per civil engineering plans.

Heavy Equipment

Equipment & Machinery We Use

We run a modern fleet of purpose-built land clearing equipment – ensuring every project is completed efficiently, safely, and on schedule.

Most Popular

Bulldozer (D6/D8 class)

Mass earthmoving and rough grading

Tracked Excavator

Precision digging, trenching, and material placement

Compactor (Smooth Drum & Pad Foot)

Subgrade compaction to specified density

Motor Grader

Final finish grading for precise drainage slopes

Dump Trucks

Soil export and import logistics

60% Faster

Than manual clearing crews

 Why Choose Us

Benefits of Choosing MonkeMan's Land Clearing Company

Six compelling reasons Portland property owners choose us for their land clearing projects.

Precision GPS Grading

GPS-guided machine grading for sub-inch accuracy on complex Portland topography

Local Soil Expertise

Deep knowledge of Portland's clay and silt loam soil behavior

Project Coordination

Coordination with civil engineers and GCs for seamless project handoff

Compaction Compliance

Compaction testing and documentation for permit and lender requirements

Effective Drainage Solutions

Drainage solutions designed for Portland's 37-inch annual rainfall

Licensed CCB Contractor

Licensed Oregon CCB contractor — required for all grading work over $2,000

Projects Completed
0 k+
Years in Portland
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Avg. Value Increase
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Faster Than Manual Crews

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a grading permit in Portland?

Yes. Grading permits are required in the City of Portland for cut or fill volumes exceeding 50 cubic yards, or for any grading on slopes greater than 15%. Washington and Clackamas Counties have similar thresholds. We help you determine permit requirements during the planning phase.

A standard single-family residential site prep in Portland (clearing + rough grading + drainage) typically takes 3–7 days depending on lot size, slope, and existing vegetation. More complex sites with significant cut-and-fill may take 2–3 weeks.

Absolutely — we prefer it. We work from engineer-stamped grading plans, coordinate with GCs on scheduling, and provide compaction test reports required for permit sign-off. Our project managers are experienced with Portland’s building inspection requirements.

WHERE WE WORK

Locations We Cover

Gresham

Troutdale

Sandy

Corbett

Boring

Wood Village

Fairview

Beaverton

Tualatin

Sherwood

Tigard

Banks

Hillsboro

Forest Grove

Cornelius

Lake Oswego

Milwaukie

Oregon City

Canby

Wilsonville

West Linn

Gladstone

Molalla

Get Your FREE Land Clearing Quote Today!

Call us or schedule online. We’ll come to your property, assess the site, and provide a detailed written quote at no cost, no obligation.