A Case track loader on a freshly graded red clay pad in a field, barns and trees behind

An orange track loader with NALL on the arm and a red roller on a pale pad beside tall pines

House pads in Montgomery, AL

A level, compacted pad at the right height, with the shoulders shaped so water runs off.

Get a free estimate Call or text (334) 320-8389

A house pad is the level, compacted base your slab is poured on. We cut the high side down, fill the low side in lifts and roll each one, then finish the top flat with the shoulders sloped so water runs off. We build house pads for new homes on residential land around Montgomery, AL, and the estimate is free.

When you build on your own land, the first thing your builder needs is the pad. It has to be flat, solid and at the right height, and it has to shed water instead of holding it under the slab. House pads are a big part of what we do, and we take them seriously, because everything you build sits on them.

We're two brothers, William and James Nall, who grew up running machines and have 10+ years each in the seat. We'll talk with you or your builder about where the house sits and how high the pad goes before we move any dirt.

What’s included

Clearing the pad area. Trees, brush and debris out of the footprint and the working room around it.
Cutting the high side. Ground above pad height comes down to grade.
Filling in lifts. Fill goes on in layers, and each one is rolled before the next.
A flat, finished top. The pad finished level so the forms and the slab go down right.
Sloped shoulders. The sides shaped back so they hold and shed water.
Grading around it. The ground around the pad shaped so water runs away from the house.

Close drone view of a crew finishing a slab on a red clay house pad, trucks parked behind — A finished red clay pad with the slab going down

Drone view of a red clay pad cut into a green field with a slab going down in the middle — A pad in an open field, ready for the slab

What your builder needs from the pad

Your builder is counting on three things: the pad is the size they asked for, it's at the height they asked for, and it won't settle once the slab is on it. We set the corners and the height with you or your builder before we start, so the pad fits the plans instead of the other way round.

If the lot needs clearing or a drive cut in first, that's part of site prep, and we can do it all in one go.

Building site preparation, lift by lift

A pad is only as good as what's under it. Dirt dumped all at once settles unevenly, and a slab on uneven ground cracks. So the fill goes on in lifts, and each lift gets rolled with a roller or compactor before the next one goes on. Then the top is finished flat and the shoulders are sloped back so they don't wash.

Drone view of a red clay pad in the pines with a fresh slab being finished and trucks parked beside it — A red clay pad in the pines with the slab going on

Construction site work around the pad

The pad is the center of it, but the ground around it matters too. We grade the yard so water falls away from the house, cut the drive in so the concrete trucks can reach the pad, and add a swale or a culvert where water needs somewhere to go. See drainage and erosion control and driveways.

How long a house pad takes

It depends on the pad. A small pad on flat ground goes quicker than a big one on a slope that needs a lot of fill brought in. The weather plays a part too, because a pad has to be rolled on ground that isn't soaked. We'll give you a straight answer on timing once we've seen your lot.

How it goes

Call, text or send the form
Tell us where your land is and what you want on it: a pad, a pond, a drive or ground cleared.
We look at your land and give you a free estimate
We walk it with you, talk through what it needs and give you a straight number. The estimate costs nothing.
We do the work, then you build, or fill the pond
The machines come in, the dirt goes where it belongs, and you're left with ground that's ready for what's next.

Questions about house pads

What is a house pad?

It's the level, compacted base your slab is poured on: cut and filled to the right height, rolled in lifts, with the top finished flat and the sides sloped so water runs off.

How long does it take to build a house pad?

It depends on the size of the pad, how much fill it needs and the weather. We'll give you a straight answer when we've seen the lot.

What does a house pad cost?

It depends on the pad size, how much cut and fill the lot needs, whether dirt has to be brought in, clearing and access. Call or text (334) 320-8389 for a free estimate.

Can you build a pad when it's wet?

A soaked pad can't be rolled tight, so we build pads when the ground is dry enough to compact. If it's too wet, we'll tell you and wait rather than leave you a pad that settles.

Will you work to my builder's plans?

Yes. We set the size, the corners and the height of the pad with you or your builder before we start.

House pads around Montgomery, AL and surrounding areas

Free house pads estimate

Tell us where your land is and what you want on it.

(334) 320-8389 Free estimate

Monday–Friday, 7 AM–7 PM. Call or text anytime.

A pale clay pad cut level into a grassy field, its edges marked with stakes and flagging

Tell us where the pad goes.

Send the size and the spot, or just call, and we'll come look at your lot.