FAQs

1. Submit your job details via our quote request form. You can also upload pictures of your site through this form, which speeds up the process and ensures the accuracy of your quote.
2. Our estimators will put together a quote for your job and send it to you via email.
3. When you’re happy with the quote, an initial deposit will secure your place in our job calendar.

• Gravel pads – Typically used for shed foundations, but also used for hot tub pads, fire pit areas, gazebo foundations, and more.
• Concrete foundations – Most commonly used for garages and other large buildings.
• Residential excavation – This includes septic installations, house footers, final site grading, and more.
• Swingset bases – Similar to our gravel pads, but with a top layer of wood chips for protection.
• Outbuilding demolition – We can get rid of that old shed or garage!
• Drainage systems – Meeting code requirements for water runoff and drain management around new outbuildings.
• Horse stall mats – These rubber mats protect animals in equine facilities.

• Connecticut
• Delaware
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• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Virginia

Yes! You can see examples of our site preparation work in our recent jobs portfolio. We have photos from 100s of past jobs so you can get a broad overview of the type of projects we do.

Site Prep was founded in 2014 when we saw a need for consistent, high-quality foundations for the prefabricated shed industry. From there, we grew our services to include a wide range of site preparation work.

Over the years, God has blessed us with a great team and 1000s of wonderful customers who refer us to their friends and family. In fact, we were named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America!

You can learn more about us, our mission, and our team here.

To request an estimate on a job, use our free quote form. This form goes straight to our estimators and they will get back to you promptly with a quote on your job.

For all other inquiries, you can use our contact form or call us at 717-799-7311.

Crushed stone (or “gravel”) shed foundations are the best all-around shed foundation option. While various shed foundation types are available, crushed stone foundations provide the best combination of affordability, durability, and ease of construction. In fact, many shed manufacturers now recommend or require a crushed stone base for their buildings, with some shed companies even making their warranties contingent upon it.

It depends. Some of the main factors that influence shed foundation cost are:

• Size – Larger foundations cost more in total but also have a lower cost per square foot.
• Slope – Prices increase based on the slope of the site as shed foundations on grades require additional preparation work. Our pricing is adjusted for slope as follows:
  • Less than 8” of slope = Base price
  • 8”-14” of slope = Base price + 20%
  • 14”-20” of slope = Base price + 30%
  • 20”-26” of slope = Base price + 40%
  • Over 26” of slope = Contact us for custom pricing.
• Location – We charge a mileage-based fee to cover our crews’ time and expenses while traveling to shed foundation jobs.

You can request a price sheet with some sample shed foundation pricing here or learn about the factors that affect shed site prep cost here.

The general steps for installing a gravel shed foundation are:

1. We remove several inches of topsoil and make sure the ground beneath is well compacted.
2. We build a perimeter of pressure-treated lumber around the foundation and stake it in place. This perimeter also serves to level the site if it is sloped.
3. We add a construction-grade stabilization over the dirt to provide added durability and prevent weed growth.
4. We add a minimum of 4” of crushed stone (known as ‘¾” clean stone’) and lock it in place using a power compactor.

Then we clean up our tools, get out of your way, and you’re ready for your new shed to be delivered!

Absolutely! We’ve seen gravel pads used for:

• Shed pads
• Gazebo foundations
• Horse barn foundations
• Hot tub bases
• Patio/fire pit areas
• Parking areas
• Gravel area under a deck
• Generator pad
• Pool equipment pad
• And more!

We have an in-depth article about gravel pad uses here.

Yes! We provide all the materials and do all the grading work to prepare the site for your new shed. Basically, you just point out where the shed will go, and we’ll take care of the rest!

Keep in mind that the slope of the site will affect the final cost due to the extra labor and materials required. Our crew will measure the slope when they arrive and make any necessary adjustments to the original quote before they begin work. Our pricing is adjusted for slope as follows:

• Less than 8” of slope = Base price
• 8”-14” of slope = Base price + 20%
• 14”-20” of slope = Base price + 30%
• 20”-26” of slope = Base price + 40%
• Over 26” of slope = Contact us for custom pricing.

You can read a general overview of how to level the ground for a shed here.

A crushed stone pad makes a better prefab shed foundation than a concrete pad for sheds with prebuilt wooden floors; concrete pads are recommended for garages or sheds without built-in floors.
For sheds with built-in floors, stone pads are better than concrete for the following reasons:

• Price – A stone foundation costs roughly ⅓ of what a similar concrete pad would cost.
• Ease of installation – A stone foundation can often be installed in several hours.
• Better drainage – A stone pad keeps drains moisture away from the base of your shed more quickly; water tends to puddle on concrete pads.

You can read more about gravel vs concrete shed bases here.

Yes, those terms can be used interchangeably. Our pads are built with crushed stone but are often referred to as “gravel” shed foundations, so we often refer to them that way as well.

Not technically. Gravel actually refers to round river stone, which is not suitable for a foundation. Our shed foundations are built with crushed stone. Crushed stone is ideal for a shed foundation because its uneven shape allows it to be tightly compacted into a firm base while still allowing water to drain away from the shed.
However, many people refer to crushed stone as “gravel”, so we often do too!

A gravel shed foundation should extend 12” past your shed in each direction. For example, a 10’x12’ shed would require a 12’x14’ gravel shed foundation. This article goes into more detail about why your gravel shed foundation should be larger than your shed.

If you’re going with a concrete pad and your shed doesn’t have a floor, the foundation should be the same dimensions as your shed.

We don’t recommend installing your shed on blocks as this can create problems for your building down the road. Potential issues include: 

• Floor joists are supported unevenly.
• Possible settling over time.
• Binding windows and doors.
• Space for critters to get under the shed.

In fact, many shed companies now require that their buildings be placed on a gravel shed foundation in order for their warranty to stand.
This article explains why shed foundation blocks are a bad idea in more detail.

Absolutely! There are two primary ways of building a shed foundation on uneven ground: 

• Building up – This involves building a retaining wall of pressure-treated lumber and bringing the shed foundation up to level. You can see an example of a built-up shed foundation here.
• Digging out – This involves excavating into the slope and then building a retaining wall of pressure-treated lumber to protect the shed. You can see an example of a dug-out shed foundation here.
• You can also use a combination of building up and digging out to place the foundation at a specific height. This is especially useful if the doors will be on the side of the shed. You can see an example of a combination shed foundation here.

Alternatively, some types of sheds and other buildings can be supported with concrete piers built up from a slope, such as in this example.

In general, 4” to 6” is a good depth range for a gravel shed foundation. Check with your local building department to make sure the foundation that you want to build meets local building requirements.

Your shed foundation should be at least 4” deep and should extend 12” past your shed on each side (i.e., a 12×14 foundation for a 10×12 shed).

The simple formula to calculate how much gravel you need for a shed foundation is:

Length(feet)*Width(feet)*Depth(feet)=Total cubic feet 

There are 27 cubic feet per cubic yard or approximately 21.6 cubic feet per ton of crushed stone (the two most common sales units). You can read more about how much gravel is needed for a shed foundation here.

Absolutely! Commercial-grade woven fabric is standard on all our gravel shed foundations. We believe it provides a more stable base for your shed by separating the gravel from the dirt below. In addition, it also keeps pesky plants away from your building!

We recommend ‘¾” clean’ stone and use it for all of our shed foundations. This stone is an excellent choice because it compacts tightly while still allowing great drainage around the shed.

Our crews can help you determine the best shed location when they arrive on-site before they start excavation. Ultimately, you’re the one who will be using the shed on a regular basis, so you should make the final call!

Here are a few considerations:

• Usage – You’ll likely place the shed differently depending on whether it’s used for household storage, garden supplies, lawnmower storage, etc.
• Lighting – If you want lots of natural light in the shed, keep it away from trees or taller buildings.
• Local ordinances – Many towns and cities limit where a shed can be placed relative to property lines, roads, and existing structures. Be sure to check what your township requires.

You can read more about how to choose a shed location here.

You certainly can and we know of many DIY enthusiasts who have done so. In fact, we created a detailed guide on how to build a shed foundation to help you. 🙂

If you decide it’s not a project you want to handle alone, you can always request a free quote to have your shed foundation installed professionally.

Most sheds need foundations. Even if it’s not required for the shed manufacturer’s warranty, a properly installed foundation will increase the life of your shed. 

In general, you should always install a foundation for a shed that is larger than 8’x8’ or weighs more than 300 pounds (including contents). 

You can learn more about whether your shed needs a foundation here.

Yes, there are. However, we recommend gravel shed foundations due to their combination of affordability, durability, and ease of installation. 

In some cases, local ordinances may require that gravel shed foundations be modified with frost-proof footings such as shed foundation piers. For even more foundation types, check out our comparison of the top 13 shed foundation options here.

It depends on what your township or municipality requires. In most cases, a gravel foundation is sufficient to support a prefabricated shed with a built-in floor. However, if your township requires it, we can add concrete shed foundation piers to a gravel pad to create a foundation that drains well and meets local code requirements. You can see our complete guide to shed footings here.

We recommend following the shed anchoring requirements of your local municipality and/or your shed manufacturer.
If your shed foundation includes concrete shed piers, you can simply anchor the shed to the footings using metal brackets. For gravel foundations, we recommend using a stake-and-cable anchoring system, which can be installed after the foundation is constructed and the shed is delivered.