Whether you are a homeowner looking to improve your property by putting in a driveway or leveling a garden plot, or a commercial organization looking to a site clean up or to improve irrigation facilities, you will need to engage the services of a professional excavator with the right equipment to shift rock and earth.

What types of excavation are there?

Earthwork involves movement of a portion of the earth’s surface from one location to another and, in its new position, creation of a desired shape and physical condition. Every home construction begins with earth work, as the contractors level the ground, compact it and dig in the foundations. Excavators refer to this type of excavation as earth excavation, because it goes down to the underlying rock. Shallower earth moving is know as topsoil excavation. This is the type you might use when landscaping your garden, or creating a rockery.

Hydro excavation and muck excavation

Hydro excavation uses high pressure water to loosen the soil in preparation for its removal by a specially designed vacuuming device. This method is space efficient and therefore suitable for areas that are difficult to access with conventional excavation machinery. Muck excavation is removal of material that contains an excessive amount of water and soil that may be contaminated or not fit for use. Removal of water can be accomplished by spreading muck over a large area and letting it dry.

Cleaning up the mess

Site clean-up is another important aspect of earth moving. Once you’ve made the changes to your property or business you will find that there is a lot of left over material – rocks, earth, mud and other types of debris. An earth moving contractor will provide a site clean-up service, using the appropriate machinery to do so. Excavation of dangerous materials such as asbestos will require special skills an be more expensive.

Doing it yourself?

Digging is hard work, and there can be surprisingly large amounts of dirt and debris to move. What can look like an easy afternoon’s labour can turn out to be a real chore if you don’t have the right tools, or the experience. If you think the work is beyond your abilities or will exceed your available time, hire a contractor or other willing laborers. Consider this option especially if your local codes require you to dig down to undisturbed soil, as many do.

Types of earth moving machinery

• Backhoe
• Front End Loader
• Trencher
• Post hole digger

Types of earth moving service offered

• Earth Moving
• Grading Earth shaping
• Bulldozing
• Foundation excavation
• Hauling
• Demolition
• Construction clean up