Why Site Drainage Planning Should Happen Before You Break Ground

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Good Drainage Isn’t an Afterthought — It’s a Starting Point

Before the first foundation pour, before utilities, before framing — the smartest builders in Central Kentucky do one thing first:
plan drainage.

At Green Solutions Landcare’s Sitework Division, we’ve seen firsthand how poor early drainage planning leads to big headaches — and big costs — later on.

Here’s why smart drainage design needs to be part of your project before ground is ever broken.

The Cost of Skipping Drainage Planning

Water Doesn’t Forgive Bad Sitework

Once heavy rains hit Lexington — especially around flood-prone areas like Southland Drive and Tates Creek Road — poorly managed sites can experience:

  • Foundation undermining

  • Erosion around driveways and parking lots

  • Soggy yards that can’t be fixed without major regrading

Pro tip: catch basins, swales, French drains, and surface grading should be designed before excavation starts, not after the walls go up.

Grading and Drainage Work Together

Good drainage relies on:

  • Slope directionality (away from structures)

  • Elevation changes coordinated across the site

  • Subsurface water control in clay-heavy Kentucky soils

Check out our Earthwork & Grading Services to see how we handle full drainage-grading packages.

Municipal Drainage Codes Matter

Lexington-Fayette County enforces specific drainage regulations for:

  • New subdivisions

  • Commercial developments

  • Infill lots and urban redevelopment

Skipping proper drainage planning can stall permits, force redesigns, or trigger expensive retrofits.

Developers working near corridors like Nicholasville Road or Man o’ War Boulevard are especially familiar with Fayette County’s strict water management standards.

LFUCG Stormwater Management has full guidelines if you need a reference.

Protecting Landscaping and Hardscapes Later

Early drainage planning also protects future investments like:

  • Sod installations

  • Tree plantings

  • Hardscape patios and walls

Nobody wants to lay $30,000 worth of pavers only to watch them sink after the first winter thaw because runoff wasn’t handled correctly.

Build It Right the First Time

Starting a construction project without a drainage plan is like building on quicksand —
you might get lucky, but odds are you'll be paying for mistakes for years.

Smart drainage planning:

  • Extends the life of structures

  • Protects landscaping investments

  • Speeds permitting and inspections

  • Reduces long-term maintenance costs

If you’re breaking ground in Lexington this year,
contact Green Solutions Landcare’s Sitework Division to start your drainage planning right — before the heavy equipment rolls in.