C27 License - C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Site Preparation and Grading Questions and Answers

Question 1

A C-27 contractor is preparing a residential site for a new lawn and patio. Before starting any excavation or grading, what is the first and most critical step to ensure safety and compliance with California law?

Accepted Answer

Call 811 (Underground Service Alert) to have all underground utilities located and marked.

Answer

California law mandates that anyone who plans to excavate must call 811 or use the online service at least two working days before digging. This free service arranges for utility companies to locate and mark their underground lines (gas, electric, water, etc.), preventing potentially dangerous and costly accidents.

Question 2

When grading a landscape to ensure proper surface drainage away from a building's foundation, what is the generally accepted minimum slope?

Accepted Answer

2% (1/4 inch per foot)

Answer

A minimum slope of 2% is the standard recommendation for landscape areas to ensure positive drainage away from structures. This means the ground should drop at least 1/4 inch for every linear foot. This prevents water from pooling near the foundation, which can cause significant structural damage over time.

Question 3

A client's project involves creating a level pad for a shed on a sloped backyard. This requires cutting into the hillside and using the excavated soil to build up the lower side. What is the most important consideration for the fill portion of the graded area?

Accepted Answer

The fill soil must be compacted in lifts (layers).

Answer

When using excavated soil as fill, it must be placed and compacted in layers, known as lifts, to create a stable, engineered base. Failure to properly compact the fill can lead to settling, which would cause the shed foundation to become unstable, crack, or fail.

Question 4

Which of the following is a primary purpose of a 'rough grade' during site preparation?

Accepted Answer

To establish the basic contours and drainage patterns of the site.

Answer

Rough grading is the initial phase of earthwork that involves shaping the land to create the general elevations and slopes specified in the landscape plan. Its main purpose is to establish the foundational contours and ensure the overall drainage scheme will work before moving on to the more precise 'finish grading'.

Question 5

During a grading operation on a windy day, what is the contractor's primary responsibility regarding airborne particles?

Accepted Answer

Post signs warning of the dusty conditions.

Answer

Contractors are responsible for controlling dust created during grading operations to protect the health of workers and the public, and to comply with local air quality regulations. The most common and effective method is to apply water to the soil to prevent it from becoming airborne.

C27 License - C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Practice Test

C27 License - C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Practice Test

C27 License - C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Site Preparation and Grading Questions and Answers