Embrace Serene Living in Sequim, Washington

Sequim, Washington is a hidden gem offering its residents a tranquil and picturesque lifestyle. Nestled on the Olympic Peninsula, this charming town boasts a perfect blend of natural beauty and small-town warmth. Bathed in abundant sunshine thanks to its unique "rain shadow" effect, Sequim enjoys more sunny days than many other parts of the Pacific Northwest, making it an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts.

One of Sequim's standout features is its vibrant lavender fields, which transform the landscape into a fragrant sea of purple swathes during the summer months. The town even hosts the annual Sequim Lavender Festival, a celebration that attracts visitors from far and wide, eager to experience its aromatic delights. Beyond lavender, Sequim offers a bounty of local farms, farmers' markets, and fresh seafood, ensuring that foodies feel right at home.

For nature lovers, the nearby Olympic National Park provides endless opportunities for adventure, from hiking and biking to wildlife watching. Sequim’s mild weather also encourages year-round golfing, with beautiful courses set against stunning backdrops. With a strong sense of community, top-rated schools, and welcoming locals, Sequim offers a uniquely captivating lifestyle that charms all who choose to call it home.

Preparing Raw Land for Residential Construction: What to Know Before You Build

Cody Holmes

Before any excavation begins, the most critical steps in residential site development take place far from the construction equipment. Every project must begin at the county level, where zoning classifications, setback requirements, and permit obligations dictate what can be built and where. Overlooking these foundational requirements can delay or derail a project entirely.

Legal access and easements must also be confirmed early on. If the property lacks recorded access or utility easements, those issues must be resolved before permits can be issued or work can proceed.

Once regulatory reviews are underway, the land itself must be evaluated. Walking the property is not merely ceremonial—it provides valuable insight into terrain, vegetation, slope, and existing access points. Hiring a licensed surveyor to mark boundaries and create a topographic map is essential to ensure that development remains within legal limits and design expectations.

Soil testing should follow early in the process—not only to determine bearing capacity for foundations, but to assess septic suitability if municipal sewer is not available. In rural areas, a septic system design based on soil logs and slope must be submitted for approval, often requiring both primary and reserve field locations.

Water source planning is another early priority. If no public water system is available, a licensed well driller will assess the best location for a well. The well driller typically works with the excavation contractor to prepare access and ensure the site is properly cleared and accessible to drilling equipment. Adequate separation between the well and future septic system must be planned to meet code requirements and avoid permitting issues.

Where utilities will enter the property must also be identified and coordinated before grading begins. If public water, sewer, or power lines are not already at the property line, collaboration with engineers and utility providers is essential. This stage informs trenching routes, driveway layout, and final pad location.

Only after these assessments are complete can land clearing begin. Tree removal, brush cutting, and debris haul-off must be performed in a manner that preserves required buffers and protects natural drainage patterns. Grading is then used to shape the land in accordance with engineered plans, directing water away from future structures and minimizing erosion risk.

Utility trenching follows, executed with precision to maintain code-required separation between water, septic, and electrical lines. At this point, the lot is ready for foundation prep—a process that depends entirely on the accuracy and completeness of the prior steps.
In excavation, doing things in the right sequence is not a matter of convenience; it is a matter of structural integrity, compliance, and long-term cost management.