Excavation Projects 101

We have the expertise and equipment to perform a large variety of excavation projects. In this section, we’ve included some information to help you understand some important aspects of excavation.

If you are not sure whether you need a permit for your excavation, contact your local municipal authority. If needed, the authority will ask you to complete a permit application and provide a copy of the proposal/contract. Most municipalities charge a fee to issue permits. Your project manager can help walk you through this process to ensure the permit is obtained as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Depending on the size of your project and the amount of earth to be moved, Erosion & Sedimentation (E&S) control measures may be required. E&S control measures trap any eroding soil and keep it from polluting streams and lakes. E&S control measures are governed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and include vegetative strips, silt socks, silt fence, rock filters, rock construction entrance, etc.

Stormwater management is necessary on any excavation project to prevent rainwater runoff and snowmelt from going into streets, lawns, and other sites. This improves water quality and helps recycle water. Stormwater management strategies include retention basins, rain gardens, swales, protection trenches, and underground sumps. The stormwater management solution for every excavation project is unique. Your project manager will work with you to design a plan that works for you.

Compaction is the most vital step in construction, but it’s also the place where shortcuts are most likely to be taken. Most materials have their own compaction rate, which needs to be followed to ensure a project’s long-term success — whether that project is driveway base prep or backfilling a pipe or foundation.

In order to achieve proper compaction, materials should be placed in thin lifts and compacted using the appropriate equipment for that specific material type.

Unfortunately, from time-to-time, we encounter rock when digging. Simply put, digging, and excavation can’t occur when rocks are in the way. They can be broken up with a hydraulic hammer attachment mounted to an excavator, or in some cases, drilled and blasted with explosives. While this work is unavoidable, it is time and cost-intensive and will be billed at a unit price or based on time and material.

There are two main types of topsoil: regular topsoil and screened topsoil. Regular topsoil is what most people are familiar with for yards and gardens. It will have some dirt clumps, organics, and rocks depending on the area it was stripped from. It might require some preparation before seeding takes place. On the other hand, screened topsoil Is processed to remove most large dirt clumps, organics, and rocks. Some small pebbles might remain, but it is ready to fertilize and seed after grading.