Before a single slab is poured, every construction project depends on proper site preparation and ground cover. These foundational tasks—clearing, leveling, stabilizing, and protecting the land—are becoming more complex across North America. Labor shortages, increasing regulations, unpredictable supply chains, and rising environmental standards are all reshaping the early stages of construction.
For more than 30 years, Express Blower, Inc. has combined innovation and practical experience to help contractors navigate these challenges with efficient, effective ground cover solutions.
LABOR SHORTAGES DISRUPT THE STARTING LINE
Skilled labor remains one of the construction industry’s greatest challenges, and site preparation is feeling the impact acutely. Heavy equipment operators, erosion-control specialists, and experienced laborers are in short supply across the U.S. and Canada. As veteran workers retire and fewer young tradespeople enter the field, contractors are left scrambling.
To cope, some firms are leaning on subcontractors, while others are turning to automation. Express Blower® machines have become essential by streamlining the installation of organic materials for ground cover, dramatically reducing labor requirements. This benefits both general contractors and the subcontractors providing erosion-control services.
REGULATIONS ARE INCREASING—SO ARE COSTS
Environmental regulations continue to tighten. U.S. contractors must navigate federal EPA mandates and localized stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs), while Canadian firms must comply with complex provincial standards for erosion, runoff, and habitat protection.
Ground cover is no longer optional. It’s required. Whether it’s erosion-control blankets, sediment-control berms, filter sock, geotextiles, or straw wattles, proper installation is crucial to passing inspections. Missed compliance can lead to fines, delays, or permit loss. The added complexity of working across multiple jurisdictions adds a major logistical burden.
Contractors equipped with Express Blower machines can more easily meet these requirements, applying a wide variety of materials—composts, mulches, soil blends, and aggregates—quickly and consistently for erosion and sediment control, dust suppression, and site stabilization.
SUPPLY CHAIN UNCERTAINTY PERSISTS
While global supply chains have improved since the pandemic, volatility remains. Contractors may still face difficulties sourcing materials like silt fencing, hydroseeding supplies, and landscape fabric.
Express Blower equipment offers a practical workaround. By replacing traditional products with a one-step, blown-on application of materials like compost blankets and filter berms, these machines help reduce dependency on scarce supplies. The materials conform to any terrain, providing effective erosion control with full contact. Combined with Express Blower’s proprietary Terraseeding® process—where seed is injected into the organic mixture during application—contractors can also achieve permanent vegetative stabilization in a single step.
GREEN EXPECTATIONS ARE GROWING
Developers and public agencies are demanding more sustainable construction practices. Materials like compost filter sock, biodegradable erosion blankets, and recycled rubber mulch are increasingly specified for projects seeking LEED certification and environmental compliance.
These green solutions often require more labor to install, unless technology steps in. Express Blower machines streamline the application of these materials, reducing labor needs and allowing fast, precise installation even in remote or difficult locations. Their reach and power also make them ideal for installing green roof systems, eliminating the need for cranes or wheelbarrows and significantly lowering labor costs.
UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER
Weather extremes are another growing concern. Heavy rain can wash out freshly graded sites, while arid conditions create dust and wind-erosion issues. Construction firms are rethinking how they stabilize sites to withstand unpredictable conditions.
Express Blower equipment helps mitigate these risks. Erosion-control blankets, filter socks, and sediment-control berms can be quickly and efficiently installed, even in adverse conditions, while organic materials like wood chips and mulch offer effective solutions for mud and dust control.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Site prep and ground cover might not make headlines, but they are mission-critical to construction success. In today’s environment, this phase is as much about risk management, compliance, and sustainability as it is about moving dirt.
For North American construction companies to stay competitive, they must invest in people, rethink material strategies, and adopt adaptive technologies. Whether through new partnerships, workforce development, or smarter equipment, those who embrace innovation will be best positioned to build the future.
for more information
Express Blower, Inc. offers proven tools and expertise to help construction firms meet labor, regulatory, and environmental demands with confidence. For more, visit www.expressblower.com.