Frequently Asked Questions
Residential Excavation
How do you quote residential excavation in Halifax?
We visit your site in Halifax or the HRM, assess access, soil, and utilities, then provide a clear scope with inclusions/exclusions and unit rates for rock or extra trucking. Text us site photos for a fast pre-quote, then book a site visit.
What does a typical foundation dig include for homeowners?
Our scope usually covers layout verification, excavation to plan, stockpiling or hauling spoil, rough grading, and compaction around the foundation after forms are stripped. We protect lawns and driveways with mats and leave the road broom-clean.
Can you work in tight backyards in Dartmouth or Bedford?
Yes—our mini-excavators and tracked loaders fit through narrow gates and minimize lawn disturbance. We use ground protection and plywood routes to reduce ruts and can hand-dig near services if needed. Request a fast quote and access check.
Do you handle rock in the Halifax peninsula?
Halifax bedrock is common; we assess with a test dig and price rock hammering by an agreed unit rate. If volume is unknown, we include an allowance so you stay in control. Book a site visit for a rock assessment.
How long does a residential excavation take?
Small digs (sheds, additions) often finish in 1–3 days; full foundations typically 3–7 days depending on weather, soil, and trucking. We provide a start window and daily updates with photos. Need to coordinate trades? We align with your schedule.
What do I need to prepare before you arrive?
Please share plans, survey pins, and access info; move vehicles and materials from the work area. We’ll request utility locates with your approval and confirm markouts prior to digging. Text us photos to speed things up.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Commercial Excavation
Do you bid on commercial sites across HRM?
Yes—we price site packages for GCs and developers in Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, and Cole Harbour. Send IFC drawings and a take-off; we return a clear breakdown for excavation, backfill, trenching, and trucking.
How do you manage schedule and staging with other trades?
We coordinate haul routes, laydown, and phased areas with your superintendent. Daily huddles, look-ahead schedules, and photo logs keep things moving. Book a pre-con meeting to lock logistics.
Can you provide unit rates for unforeseen conditions?
Absolutely—our proposals include unit rates for rock, dewatering, unsuitable soils, and import materials. This helps GCs control change orders and maintain transparency.
Do you work under winter conditions in Halifax?
Yes—winter excavation is feasible with frost management, heaters at trenches, and adjusted compaction specs. We’ll price frost removal and winter trucking as separate line items so budgets stay accurate.
How do you ensure public safety on busy commercial streets?
We implement traffic accommodations, fencing, signage, and spotters. Street sweeping and wheel-wash keep roads clean, and we schedule deliveries to reduce peak-hour impacts. Request a site-specific plan.
What documentation do you provide?
Expect daily reports, load counts, material tickets, and as-built elevations when requested. We align with GC paperwork and digital submittals. Ask for our sample reporting pack.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Pre-Construction
Can you review plans before I apply for permits?
Yes—we flag access, grades, stormwater, and excavation depths to avoid surprises. Early input often reduces trucking and retaining costs. Book a quick pre-con call.
Do you help with surveys and site layout in HRM?
We coordinate with your surveyor for benchmark and stakeout so the dig matches design. Share your lot plan and we’ll confirm cut/fill targets and haul estimates.
What about utility locates and service tie-ins?
With your approval we request locates and verify marks on site. For new services we trench to the utility’s standards and coordinate inspections as required by the authority having jurisdiction.
How do you plan for dewatering in Halifax soils?
We assess groundwater, tides near the harbour, and nearby catch basins. If needed we include sump pumps, filter bags, or discharge to approved locations. Ask for a dewatering contingency in your quote.
Can you provide cost options during design?
Yes—value engineering options like slab-on-grade vs. basement, wall heights, and driveway alignments with estimated savings. This helps homeowners and GCs make informed decisions early.
How accurate are your trucking estimates?
We use plan volumes, compaction factors, and local disposal site limits to forecast loads. Final billing reconciles with actual tickets for full transparency. Text us your plans for a quick estimate.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Clearing and Demolishing
Do you handle small house or garage demolitions in Halifax?
Yes—selective or full demos with sorting of wood, metal, and concrete for recycling where feasible. We cap services as required and leave the site safe and graded. Request a site visit for scope and pricing.
How do you control dust and debris in neighbourhoods?
We use water suppression, debris nets, and controlled haul-off schedules. Streets are swept daily and work areas remain fenced or taped after hours to keep the public safe.
Can you remove old concrete slabs and asphalt driveways?
Absolutely—we break, load, and recycle concrete/asphalt at approved facilities. We can regrade and prep for new base in the same visit. Get a fast quote with photos.
What permits are typically needed for demolishing?
Requirements vary by municipality in the HRM. We’ll guide you on typical submittals and coordinate inspections as agreed in the contract. Your GC or homeowner team remains the permit applicant.
Do you offer hazardous material abatement?
No, we do not perform hazmat removal. If suspected, we’ll pause work and suggest you consult a qualified abatement contractor before demolition proceeds.
How is material disposal handled?
All loads are ticketed and hauled to approved facilities; salvageable items can be separated on request. You’ll see estimated loads and fees in the quote for full clarity.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Land Clearing
What’s included in land clearing for new builds?
We cut and remove trees/shrubs, grind stumps or excavate them, grub roots, and rough grade. Erosion controls are installed as needed to protect neighbours and waterways.
Can you preserve certain trees in Bedford or Sackville?
Yes—we set up tree-save zones, root-protection areas, and equipment exclusion routes. Share a site plan and we’ll mark keepers before clearing begins.
How are stumps handled and priced?
Stumps are priced by size and count; options include grinding, excavation, or haul-off. We’ll recommend the most cost-effective method based on your build plan.
What happens to brush and wood waste?
We chip on site or haul to approved facilities; logs can be set aside for homeowner use if safe. Load counts and fees are itemized in your quote.
Do you clear on sloped or rocky Halifax lots?
Yes—tracked equipment, winches, and careful staging allow safe clearing on slopes and shallow bedrock. We balance cut/fill to reduce export where possible.
How quickly can you start?
Smaller lots can start within a typical 1–2 week window, weather permitting. Text us site photos for a fast estimate and scheduling options.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Lot Grubbing
What is lot grubbing and why is it needed?
Grubbing removes roots, stumps, and organic soils to reach stable subgrade before construction. It prevents settlement and drainage issues for homeowners and builders in Halifax.
How deep do you grub in HRM soils?
Depth depends on organics; we typically remove until firm native soil is reached, verified by probe or test pit. We’ll backfill with structural fill and compact to your spec.
Will grubbing damage my yard?
We protect lawns with mats, manage haul routes, and tidy the road daily. Final grading smooths affected areas and prepares for topsoil or base—ask about restoration options.
Can you handle wet or marshy areas?
Yes—options include undercutting, geotextile, and import of suitable fill to build a stable platform. We price these as separate line items with clear quantities.
How do you dispose of organic material?
Brush and organics are hauled to approved facilities or composted when possible. Load counts are tracked for transparency on trucking costs.
What’s the timeline for a standard residential lot?
Most lots are grubbed in 1–2 days depending on size and access. Request a fast quote and we’ll confirm a start window.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Excavating and Grading
What grading services do you provide in Halifax?
We offer site grading, driveway shaping, swales, and final topsoil prep. Proper grading protects foundations and directs stormwater away from structures.
How do you ensure correct elevations?
We use lasers and grade rods, checking against survey benchmarks. For GCs, we can provide spot-elevation checks or simple as-builts on request.
Do you import and compact gravel?
Yes—base, Class A, and structural fills are imported as needed and compacted in lifts to meet your design spec. Compaction testing can be coordinated if required by your engineer.
Can you fix drainage issues in existing yards?
We regrade low spots, add swales, and install French drains where appropriate. Share photos from Dartmouth or Bedford and we’ll recommend the simplest fix first.
How is spoil handled during grading?
Clean fill can be reused on site when feasible; excess is hauled to approved locations. Your quote includes estimated loads and disposal fees so there are no surprises.
What surfaces do you prepare for?
We prep for concrete pads, interlock, asphalt, and sod. Final grades are set to match thresholds and driveways for a tidy finish—book a site visit to confirm details.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Drainage and Utilities
Do you install French drains and downspout tie-ins?
Yes—perforated pipe, fabric, and clean stone with daylight or sump discharge to help Halifax homes shed water. We design simple, maintainable routes and restore lawns neatly.
Can you trench for water, sewer, and electrical?
We trench and backfill to utility standards, bedding pipes and warning tape as specified. We coordinate inspections and locates with your approval.
How do you prevent silt from entering storm drains?
We install silt socks, inlet protection, and stabilize disturbed areas promptly. Our crews monitor controls, especially during Halifax rain events and thaws.
Do you replace collapsed or undersized culverts?
Yes—culvert removal, installation, headwalls, and ditch shaping are common HRM services. We size based on existing conditions and municipal guidance.
What if groundwater appears during trenching?
We can pump to a filter bag or approved discharge and backfill with appropriate stone. If dewatering is extensive, we’ll price it as a tracked allowance.
Will you restore the surface after utility work?
Yes—topsoil/sod, gravel, or temporary asphalt patches can be included. We discuss restoration options up front so your yard or lot looks clean when we’re done.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Septic Tank Installation
Do you install or replace septic systems in HRM rural areas?
We excavate for new tanks, distribution, and beds, working with your designer’s approved plan. We coordinate deliveries and restore grades neatly.
Can you assess if my Halifax property can support a septic bed?
We don’t perform percolation testing ourselves, but we can connect you with designers and handle test pits with our machine. Once designed, we price the full install.
How long does a septic replacement take?
Typical replacements complete in 2–4 days once materials are on site and inspections are scheduled. We maintain access for homeowners and keep the site tidy.
Do you pump or service tanks?
Pumping and routine service are handled by specialized providers. We focus on excavation, installation, and system replacement—ask us for a referral if needed.
What if bedrock is shallow?
We can raise the system with engineered fill or consider alternative layouts provided by your designer. Rock hammering is priced at a clear unit rate with tracking.
Will my yard be restored after installation?
We rough grade and can include topsoil and seed or sod as an option. Expect some settlement as trenches consolidate; we offer a follow-up touch-up if requested.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Civil Construction
Do you support small civil projects for municipalities or strata?
Yes—we handle small culvert replacements, sidewalk preps, and park grading around Halifax and Dartmouth. Our team fits well on compact urban sites.
Can you build gravel parking pads and drive lanes?
We excavate, install geotextile if needed, import and compact base, and shape for drainage. Great for multi-unit properties and infills—request a site visit.
How do you manage quality on civil jobs?
We follow drawings and specs, verify subgrade, and document materials and load tickets. Compaction and density testing can be coordinated when specified.
What’s your approach to stormwater on civil sites?
We shape swales, ditches, and basins, and install inlets and rip-rap where required. Erosion controls are maintained through rain events common to the HRM.
Do you provide reinstatement after civil trenching?
Yes—granulars, asphalt patches, and concrete base can be included. We keep pedestrian routes safe with ramps and signage during works.
Can you work as a subcontractor to larger firms?
Absolutely—we supply equipment, operators, and trucking with clear day rates and production goals. Share your schedule and we’ll slot in the right crew.
Serving Halifax & HRM—Get a fast quote today.
Heavy Civil Construction
What heavy civil capabilities do you offer in HRM?
Rock excavation, bulk earthworks, road subgrade, large trenching, and culvert/ditch upgrades. We mobilize the right iron and trucking for efficient production.
How do you handle traffic management on larger jobs?
We coordinate with traffic plans, certified flagging, and staged closures to keep the public moving. Communication with neighbours and businesses is prioritized.
Can you support emergency storm repairs?
Yes—subject to availability, we mobilize crews for washouts, sinkholes, and culvert failures across the HRM. Call to check our current response capacity.
What materials can you source at volume?
Common items include structural fill, Class A/B, rip-rap, clear stone, and pipe bedding. We track deliveries with tickets and maintain stockpiles safely on site.
Do you provide production reporting?
Daily quantities, load counts, and progress photos are standard on heavy civil work. We align reports to GC formats for easy roll-up.
How do you mitigate environmental impacts?
Silt controls, stabilized entrances, and protected stockpiles reduce runoff. We plan around Halifax weather patterns and monitor controls after storms.
Ready to get started?
We hope some of these questions and answers helped you find out what you were seeking. Please feel free to give us a call at 902-706-8197, or alternatively fill in our online contact form and we'll get back to you asap!