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The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is a dangerous one in the construction industry. When you look in your backyard, you will likely see a surface covered in grass, trees, and other vegetation. But what is under the surface may surprise and shock you.

Pennsylvania has a wide variety of soil types below the surface, including clay and shale. Each type of soil has different properties and requires different building strategies. Large pockets of stone and rock can require much larger and more sophisticated machines to break through them. There may be water under the surface from underground streams and runoff. There are also the hidden dangers of man-made obstacles such as old foundations, improperly compacted soils or even, as was seen on one project, a large landfill.

Surprises can often be a logistical nightmare and lead to massive time delays and significant cost increases to a project. PSW’s processes were developed based on preparation. For that reason, PSW has developed a relationship with Hickman Consulting Services, LLC.

PSW recently sat down with Jessica Hickman, owner of Hickman Consulting Services, LLC, to speak about her company and relationship with PSW.

Why are your services important to a residential construction project?

While most people think of geological testing for large-scale commercial projects and well as the oil and gas industry in Western Pennsylvania, we provide a service that is extremely valuable to the residential client by identifying what is under the ground before excavation finds it. We check for depths of rocks, clay slips, water tables, and soil stability. For instance, when you dig a 10-foot hole next to a 2-story house, the weight needs to transfer somewhere. Our job is to make sure the ground is both secure and safe for the homeowner.

How did you learn about PSW?

We were contact by Shelly Hankins at PSW. My husband Josh had worked with Shelly at an oil and gas company before she landed at PSW. When PSW identified a need for a geologist, Shelly remembered us, and the rest is history.

What do you like about working with PSW?

As a business owner myself, I understand what it takes to run your own company. PSW makes the effort to educate clients and make the process as simple as possible. They want to do things right the first time. Their employees and trade partners are responsible and respectful.

Was there ever a project that surprised you or was an interesting case study?

A few years back, we ran into an old landfill at one of PSW’s projects. That was a surprise to everyone. There were large appliances, grills, and other garbage that was simply buried before the home was built. The homeowner had lived there for years and had no idea it was even there.

Sometimes in our industry, we uncover signs of the past. At a project in Charleroi, we found remnants of an old glass factory on a dig. We uncovered the old brick, shards of glass and pottery remnants.

What advice would you give homeowners thinking about a large residential project?

Do your homework. PSW creates lifestyle experiences – these are not your run of the mill projects. People are paying upwards of two million dollars for their dream living area. They need to know that a certified geologist has tested the site, analyzed the results, and provided their expert advice. If you’re spending that much money on a project, you need to know what’s under the dirt. Better to find out now than have costly repairs later.