MONCTON EXCAVATING PROS

Local, plain‑English answers for homeowners, builders, and property managers in Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe.

Residential Excavation

What residential excavation services do you offer in Moncton, NB?

We handle foundation digs, additions, garage pads, driveway excavation, trenching for utilities, backfill, grading, drainage upgrades, and retaining wall prep for homes in Greater Moncton.

How do you protect my lawn, driveway, and landscaping during residential excavation?

We use tracked equipment, ground protection mats, plywood where needed, and a daily clean‑up plan. We mark no‑go zones (wells, septic, trees to keep) and sweep the street at day’s end.

What is the typical timeline for a house foundation excavation in Moncton?

Most standard single‑family foundation digs take 1–3 working days, depending on soil conditions, rock, access, and trucking. Backfill is usually the same day the foundation is ready.

Do you obtain residential permits and utility locates for homeowners?

Yes—by request. We guide you on permits and NB utility locates or handle them for you and add the admin cost to the quote. Work begins only after locate clearance.

What affects the price of residential excavation?

Access, excavation depth, soil/rock, water management, trucking distance, and disposal drive cost. Your written estimate itemizes equipment, materials, and haul‑off for transparency.

Can you import gravel or topsoil and finish‑grade my yard after excavation?

Absolutely. We supply screened topsoil, Class A/B gravel, crusher dust, and finish‑grade for sod/seed with proper compaction and laser‑verified grade.

Commercial Excavation

What commercial excavation projects do you handle in Greater Moncton?

Commercial pads, parking lots, trenching, service laterals, culverts, ditching, grading, and site balancing for small to mid‑sized commercial builds and tenant improvements.

How do you maintain safety and compliance on commercial job sites?

We follow a site‑specific safety plan, toolbox talks, traffic control where needed, and coordinate with GCs and inspectors. All operators are ticketed; equipment is maintained on schedule.

Can you work off civil plans and grades provided by engineers?

Yes. We build to Issued‑for‑Construction (IFC) drawings, use laser levels for grade control, and provide as‑built photos and load tickets when requested.

What’s your approach to staging and minimizing downtime on commercial sites?

We plan haul routes, spoils management, and truck cycles in advance, and schedule equipment to match material flow to keep crews productive and parking lots accessible.

Do you offer unit pricing or lump‑sum for commercial excavation in Moncton?

Both. We can price lump‑sum or unit rates (per m³, per meter of trench, per load). We’ll recommend the most cost‑controlled option for your scope and soil risk.

How do weather and frost affect commercial excavation schedules?

We monitor forecasts, use frost‑ripping when required, and adjust start windows. Winter work may need heated ground, frost buckets, or additional compaction passes.

Pre‑Construction

What’s included in your pre‑construction site assessment in Moncton?

Access review, utility locate, tree/brush inventory, soil clues, drainage patterns, truck turn‑around, and material take‑offs for an accurate schedule and budget.

Can you help with permits and municipal approvals before construction?

Yes. We provide checklists for culverts, driveway approaches, right‑of‑way work, and grading. We can manage submissions or coordinate with your designer/engineer.

How do you estimate volumes and trucking before the job starts?

We calculate cut/fill, estimate loads, and plan import/export materials (gravel, topsoil) to avoid surprise trucking costs.

What pre‑construction documents do clients receive?

A written scope, line‑item estimate, timeline, disposal plan, and any assumptions/allowances (rock, groundwater, fabric). Change‑order rules are clear up front.

Do you offer soil testing or compaction testing?

We can coordinate third‑party geotechnical services and density testing when required by the engineer or municipality.

How do you mitigate drainage risks before breaking ground?

We plan interim swales, silt fence, and pump‑around strategies so construction areas stay workable and neighbours are protected.

Clearing and Demolishing

What is included in your clearing and demolition services in Moncton?

Brush/tree removal, stump grinding/pulling, small structure demo, sorting, recycling, and haul‑off to approved facilities with a clean, safe site hand‑off.

How do you handle debris and wood waste from clearing?

Options: chip‑and‑keep for mulch, chip‑and‑haul, log sorting, and stump disposal. Your estimate shows volumes, trucking, and tipping fees.

Do you demolish sheds, garages, or small outbuildings?

Yes—selective tear‑down, material separation, and site grading to leave the area ready for the next phase.

Are permits required for demolition in Greater Moncton?

Some structures require permits and utility disconnects. We’ll advise and can manage the paperwork if requested.

How long does a typical clearing and demolition project take?

Small outbuilding demo or brush/trees on a city lot: 1–2 days. Larger mixed clearing with haul‑off: 2–4 days, subject to access and trucking.

How do you protect neighbouring properties during demo?

We set safety perimeters, coordinate parking/traffic, control dust, and keep streets clean. We notify neighbours when heavy trucking is planned.

Land Clearing

What land clearing services do you provide around Moncton?

Brush cutting, tree felling, limbing, bucking, stump grinding/pulling, chipping, sorting, and debris haul‑off for lots, acreages, and new builds.

What’s the difference between stump grinding and stump pulling?

Grinding removes the stump to below grade for lawns; pulling removes stump and roots for building pads or driveways where full removal is best.

How fast can you clear a typical residential lot in Moncton?

Brush‑only: ~1 day. Mixed brush and small trees: 1–3 days. Heavier timber or limited access may add time for sorting and trucking.

Can I keep chips or logs from land clearing?

Yes. We can chip‑and‑keep for garden mulch and stack logs where you want them, or we can haul everything away.

How do you price land clearing?

Based on acreage, density, access, stump count/size, and disposal plan. We provide an itemized estimate and suggest cost‑savers (e.g., chip‑and‑keep).

Do you offer erosion control after clearing?

Yes—silt fence, straw, hydroseed prep, and temporary swales to stabilize disturbed soils until permanent landscaping.

Lot Grubbing

What is lot grubbing and why is it important for building in Moncton?

Grubbing removes roots, stumps, organic layer, and buried debris to create a stable subgrade for pads, driveways, and utilities.

How deep do you grub and what happens to the organics?

Depth depends on soil and root zone. We separate organics for disposal or designated stockpiles and proof‑roll the area for soft spots.

Do you bring in geotextile or fabric during grubbing?

When soils are soft, we install geotextile fabric and proper gravel thickness to build a durable base.

How long does lot grubbing take?

Typical residential pads: ½–2 days depending on size and stumps. Larger pads/driveways: 1–3 days.

How do you verify the site is ready after grubbing?

We proof‑roll, check elevations with laser, and confirm compaction before moving to base install or excavation.

Can you combine lot grubbing with land clearing and grading?

Yes. Most projects combine clearing → grubbing → base install/grade to save mobilizations and time.

Excavating and Grading

What’s your process for excavation and grading on residential and commercial sites?

Layout → dig to subgrade → manage spoils → install fabric/base where needed → rough grade → compact → laser‑check → finish grade.

What materials do you use for base and grading in Moncton?

Class A/B gravel, crusher dust, screened topsoil, and geotextile when soils are weak. We compact to spec for long‑term performance.

How do you ensure proper drainage when grading?

We set positive slopes away from structures, create swales, and tie in downspouts or French drains where needed.

Can you prep for asphalt, concrete, or pavers?

Yes—subgrade shaping, base thickness, edge restraints, and final compaction to meet surfacing requirements.

What equipment do you use for precise grading?

Laser levels, tracked skid steers, excavators, and compactors sized to the job. We use stone rakes/rollers for a smooth finish.

How long do excavation and grading projects take?

Small driveways or pads: 1–2 days. Larger grading jobs and parking lots: 2–4+ days, depending on import/export volumes.

Drainage and Utilities

What drainage solutions do you install in Greater Moncton?

French drains, swales, culverts, ditching, re‑grading, and sump discharge routing to move water away from structures and driveways.

Do you install or repair culverts for driveways?

Yes. We size culverts per municipal guidance, install geotextile and proper cover, and grade in/out slopes for flow.

Can you trench for water, sewer, or electrical service lines?

Yes—utility trenching with bedding, depth, and separation per local standards, plus backfill and compaction.

How do you locate underground utilities before trenching?

We arrange NB utility locates and pothole critical crossings. Digging starts only after written locate clearance.

How do you prevent drainage fixes from clogging or failing?

We use washed stone, proper filter fabric, correct pipe slope, and provide clean‑outs where practical. We review maintenance steps with you.

What’s the typical timeline for drainage/utility work?

Small French drain or culvert: ½–1 day. Service lateral trenching: 1–2 days, depending on depth, crossings, and inspections.

Heavy Civil Construction

What heavy civil capabilities do you offer in the Moncton area?

Bulk earthmoving, road base, ditching, culverts, site balancing, and mass grading for small municipal or private civil projects.

Do you work with engineers and municipalities on civil scopes?

Yes. We coordinate with consulting engineers, follow plans/specs, and schedule inspections to keep projects compliant and on time.

How do you manage traffic and public safety during civil work?

We implement traffic control plans, clear signage, and coordinate with stakeholders to reduce disruption.

What quality controls are used on heavy civil excavation?

Density testing, material ticketing, grade checks, and as‑built documentation as required by the contract.

Can you handle import/export of large material volumes?

Yes—fleet scheduling for trucking, stockpile management, and environmentally responsible disposal.

How do weather and seasons affect heavy civil schedules in Moncton?

We plan around freeze/thaw, adjust compaction methods, and may stage temporary drainage to maintain production.

General Process, Materials, and Policies

What areas do you serve?

Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe, plus nearby communities by request.

How quickly can I get a quote?

Most quotes are turned around within 24–48 hours after a site visit and receipt of photos/address.

What payment methods and terms do you offer?

Typical terms: deposit to schedule, progress payments for multi‑day jobs, balance on completion. We accept common payment methods.

Are you insured and do you follow safety regulations?

Yes. We maintain insurance, conduct daily safety checks, and follow municipal and provincial regulations.

What happens if you hit rock or groundwater?

Your estimate includes allowances or clearly states unit rates for rock, dewatering, or fabric—so decisions are fast and transparent.

Do you guarantee your work?

We stand behind our workmanship. Grading and drainage are installed to plan and industry standards. We review care/maintenance at hand‑off.

Can you work around pets, fences, and tight access?

Yes. We plan access routes, protect surfaces, and use compact equipment where necessary. Please secure pets during work hours.

Do you provide daily updates?

For multi‑day jobs, yes—photos and progress notes so you always know what’s next.

What should I do before your crew arrives?

Mark must‑keep trees/objects, unlock gates, move vehicles, and confirm utility locates or delegate them to us.

How do you handle environmental responsibility?

We separate and recycle materials where possible, use approved disposal sites, and install erosion controls to protect waterways.