This project in Exeter, Rhode Island transformed a heavily wooded and rocky area beside an existing home into a fully prepared site for a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

Work began with tree removal and stump excavation, followed by stripping the existing loam and setting usable stone aside. Excavation presented a significant challenge because of the amount and size of the rock throughout the site. A 35-ton excavator was brought in to handle the larger material.

Several boulders were located too close to the existing home’s foundation to safely remove them intact with heavy equipment. These were split using the wedge-and-feather stone splitting method, allowing the crew to break down and remove the rock while working carefully around the existing structure.

By the time the site was cleared, approximately 12 triaxle loads of boulders had been hauled off the property.

With the building area opened up, excavation for the new ADU foundation could begin. After the foundation was poured, AllScapes completed the backfilling and reused boulders from the property to construct a natural stone retaining wall.

The final phase included underground utility work, with water, electrical, and sewer lines run to serve the new ADU.

The completed project took the site from undeveloped woodland to a buildable residential space, combining tree removal, land clearing, heavy excavation, rock removal, foundation preparation, retaining wall construction, and underground utility installation.