If you own or operate a site preparation business and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for a site preparation contractor is 238910, classified under Site Preparation Contractors in the Construction sector. However, earthwork and land clearing can blur the lines between mining, landscaping, and demolition. The right code for your business depends on whether you are preparing land for structural building or doing final cosmetic touches. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 238910 |
| Industry Title | Site Preparation Contractors |
| Sector | 23 (Construction) |
| Industry Group | 238 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 238910 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 238910 covers establishments primarily engaged in preparing land for building construction.
In simple terms, this code applies to heavy equipment operators and earthwork contractors who transform raw land into a buildable canvas. For site preparation businesses, this includes:
- Land clearing, tree removal, and grubbing (removing stumps and roots)
- Excavating, grading, and leveling dirt to prepare a building pad
- Trenching and earth drilling for utility lines, footings, or foundations
- Hauling away the dirt, rock, and debris that you excavate from the site
- Rock removal and blasting (when done specifically to prepare the land for construction)
- Demolishing existing structures on the site to make way for new construction
The important distinction here is structural preparation. This code covers the heavy, foundational earthwork required so that a general contractor or builder can safely begin constructing a building or laying a foundation. It does not cover the actual building construction itself.
Does My Site Preparation Business Qualify for Code 238910?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 238910 if:
- You operate bulldozers, excavators, graders, or backhoes to move earth
- Your main source of revenue comes from grading, clearing, or trenching land for construction projects
- You haul away the dirt and debris that you specifically excavated from the job site
Your business may not qualify if:
- You perform the actual building construction (laying the foundation, framing, etc.), which falls under 236 (Construction of Buildings) instead
- You extract minerals, coal, or oil for sale, which falls under 21 (Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction) instead
- You do final cosmetic landscaping, plant trees, or lay sod, which falls under 561730 (Landscaping Services) instead
- You haul away construction debris, garbage, or rubble that was created by another contractor, which falls under 562119 (Other Waste Collection) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most contractors expect. Here is where code 238910 will be required:
- Commercial Auto and Equipment Insurance. This is highly critical. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your premiums for heavy equipment coverage and commercial auto liability. Site preparation carries massive physical risks, including rolling heavy machinery, striking underground utilities, and property damage from flying debris.
- General Liability Insurance. Because site prep involves moving massive amounts of earth, the risk of damaging neighboring properties or causing environmental runoff is high. Your NAICS code ensures your policy covers these specific earthwork risks.
- SBA Loan Applications. If you need financing to purchase excavators, dump trucks, dozers, or land, the Small Business Administration requires your NAICS code to assess your loan eligibility.
- Federal Contracting via SAM.gov. Government agencies frequently hire site prep contractors to clear land for military bases, federal buildings, or roadways. To bid on these contracts, you must be registered on SAM.gov under this exact code.
- Building Permits. Local municipalities require your NAICS code or contractor license number when you apply for grading, excavation, or land-clearing permits.
238910 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 238910 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 23 | Construction |
| Subsector | 238 | Specialty Trade Contractors |
| Industry Group | 2389 | Other Specialty Trade Contractors |
| NAICS Industry | 23891 | Site Preparation Contractors |
| National Industry | 238910 | Site Preparation Contractors |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does code 238910 cover demolition?
Yes, but only specific types. If you are demolishing existing buildings, concrete, or asphalt strictly to clear the land so a new building can be constructed, it falls under 238910. However, if you are a dedicated demolition company that tears down buildings just to haul away the scrap metal and debris (without preparing the land for new construction), you may fall under a different waste or demolition code.
What is the difference between site preparation and landscaping?
The difference comes down to structural necessity versus cosmetic appearance. Code 238910 (Site Preparation) is heavy earthwork done out of engineering necessity—like grading a plot so a foundation won’t sink, or digging a trench for a sewer line. Code 561730 (Landscaping) is cosmetic work done after the building is complete—like planting shrubs, laying sod, or building a decorative stone walkway.
What if my business excavates dirt for a contractor and hauls it away?
If you are hired to dig a foundation or trench (site prep) and you haul away the dirt you just dug up, that is all included under 238910. However, if a general contractor digs a hole, and then hires you only to drive a dump truck to take the dirt away, you are providing waste hauling services and should use 562119 (Other Waste Collection).
Does this code cover clearing land for agricultural farming?
It depends on the end goal. If you are clearing raw land and grading it to build a dairy barn or a farming facility, you use 238910 (Construction). If you are just plowing fields, removing rocks, or preparing soil to plant crops, you use 115112 (Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating) under the Agriculture sector.