Mike Conneely walks through the key planning decisions that happen before a residential foundation is poured, using a teardown project in the Chicago area to explain how soil conditions, setbacks, utility locations, and drainage all shape the build from day one. He explains why unstable or previously excavated soil may require deeper foundations, and how tight setback requirements demand precise surveying before concrete work begins. Conneely also covers sewer and water service planning, utility coordination, and the importance of lot grading to keep water away from the home. The discussion centers on site preparation, structural planning, and reducing costly mistakes before construction moves above grade.

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