15 Things to Know Before Starting a New Construction Build in Middle Tennessee

Building a custom home or new construction in Lebanon, TN or anywhere in Middle Tennessee is one of the most significant investments you'll make. The outdoor decisions — drainage, grading, site work, and landscaping — are almost always an afterthought. They shouldn't be. Here are 15 things that matter, and when.

1. The Site Work Sets the Foundation for Everything

Site clearing, grading, and soil prep is the first major construction phase — and the decisions made here affect everything that follows. Soil that's been scraped and compacted during site work has dramatically reduced drainage capacity. Understanding your site's natural drainage patterns before grading begins prevents expensive corrections later.

2. Topsoil Stripping Is Standard — and a Problem

During construction, bulldozers remove topsoil for foundation excavation and often stockpile it elsewhere or grade it off entirely. You typically get back a thin layer of topsoil over compacted subgrade — not enough for a healthy lawn or landscape. Specify what happens to your topsoil in your construction contract. Budget for topsoil import or amendment before landscaping begins.

3. Foundation Grade Must Be Correct Before Landscaping

The ground around your home must slope away from the foundation — a minimum of 6 inches of drop over the first 10 feet. This positive grade prevents moisture from migrating toward the foundation. Many builders get close but not exactly right. Have the finished grade verified before accepting the site — it's much easier to correct before landscaping than after.

4. Your Builder's Landscaping Allowance Is Usually Inadequate

A $5,000–$10,000 landscaping allowance from a builder sounds reasonable until you price what a properly done landscape actually costs. Basic sod, plantings, and a simple drainage system on a 1/4-acre lot in Lebanon routinely runs $25,000–$50,000. Know the gap before you close so you can plan accordingly.

5. Drainage Should Be Designed Before Hardscape

If you're planning a patio, outdoor kitchen, or driveway extension, drainage for those surfaces needs to be planned before they're built — not retrofitted afterward. Surface drains, channel drains, and downspout management integrated into hardscape at install time cost a fraction of what they cost to retrofit.

6. Irrigation Before Sod — Always

If you plan to have an irrigation system (and in Lebanon's summer heat, you should), install it before sod is laid. Cutting irrigation pipe runs through established sod is expensive and damages the lawn. Pre-sod irrigation is a fraction of the cost.

7. Permits for Retaining Walls and Structures

Lebanon and Wilson County require permits for retaining walls over certain heights, outbuildings, decks, and other structures. Pull permits before you build — not after. Unpermitted structures complicate future sales and may require demolition.

8. Soil in Wilson County Varies Significantly

Parts of Lebanon and Wilson County have excellent native soil; others have red clay hardpan that drains extremely slowly. Parts of the county have underlying limestone that causes interesting drainage dynamics. A simple soil assessment before landscaping saves guesswork.

9. Tree Removal Is Cheaper Before Foundation Work

If your site has trees that need to come down, removing them before foundation work — when the site is open and accessible to equipment — costs a fraction of what removal costs after a home is built and landscaped.

10. Gravel Driveways Are Not Permanent

Gravel driveways are common on new construction properties as a temporary measure. They work fine initially but require periodic regrading and additional gravel. If you plan to pave eventually, oversizing the culvert and compacting the subgrade correctly during initial construction saves money on the eventual pave.

11. The HOA May Control More Than You Think

Many newer developments in Wilson County have HOA requirements governing landscaping, fence height, outbuilding size, and exterior finishes. Review HOA docs before planning any major outdoor project — not after you've already designed it.

12. Outdoor Living Space is the Best ROI Addition

Data from the National Association of Realtors consistently shows that outdoor living improvements have among the best return on investment of any home improvement. A well-built patio, fire pit area, or outdoor kitchen in Lebanon, TN returns 70–90 cents on the dollar in home value — and you get to use it while you live there.

13. Large Trees Take Years to Provide Privacy and Shade

If mature trees and privacy screening are part of your vision, plant early. A Nellie Stevens holly or Green Giant arborvitae planted at 5 feet will be 12–15 feet in 4–5 years. Waiting until the rest of the landscape is done means waiting years longer for the privacy you want.

14. The Crawl Space or Basement Needs Attention During Construction

Crawl space vapor barriers, proper ventilation, and foundation drainage are far less expensive to address during construction than to retrofit afterward. If your new home has a crawl space, specify a full encapsulation system — not just a standard vapor barrier — if it's in your budget.

15. Plan Your Landscape in Phases — But Design It All at Once

You don't have to install everything at once, but designing the whole outdoor space before breaking ground on Phase 1 prevents expensive conflicts. A patio installed in Phase 1 that blocks where the Phase 3 pool would go is a real problem. A phased installation plan designed cohesively from the start avoids it.

Lebanon Scapes & Construction works with new construction clients throughout Middle Tennessee — from site grading consultation during the build to full landscape installation after closing. Call 615-487-2965 to talk through your project.