Excavation
Excavation Services
Professional site preparation for foundations, driveways, and more.
Every great project starts with proper groundwork. OAX Construction provides excavation and site preparation services for residential and commercial projects throughout the Kalamazoo area.
From digging foundation holes to grading driveways and trenching for utilities, our experienced operators and reliable equipment get the job done right the first time. We understand the soil types and drainage patterns common in Southwest Michigan and plan every excavation project accordingly. Homeowners and builders in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and surrounding communities count on OAX Construction for efficient, accurate earthwork.
What We Offer
Excavation Services
Foundation Excavation
Precise digging for basements, crawl spaces, footings, and slab preparations.
Grading & Leveling
Proper site grading for drainage, driveways, landscaping, and building pads.
Utility Trenching
Trenches for water lines, sewer connections, electrical conduit, and drainage systems.
Land Clearing
Removing trees, stumps, brush, and debris to prepare your site for construction.
What to Expect
Our Excavation Process
Before any digging begins, we assess the site conditions and review project plans. We coordinate with utility locating services to identify underground lines and ensure safe digging. Proper planning at this stage prevents costly surprises and delays.
Our operators use properly sized equipment for each job, from compact excavators for tight residential sites to larger machines for bigger projects. We dig to precise depths and dimensions, maintaining clean edges and proper slopes for drainage. Excavated soil is either stockpiled on-site for backfill or hauled away as needed.
After excavation, we compact the subgrade and install any required base materials. For foundation work, this means the site is ready for forming and pouring. For driveways and landscaping, we grade to the correct elevations to ensure proper water flow away from structures.
FAQ
Excavation Questions
Do I need a permit for excavation?
Most excavation work tied to a building project falls under the building permit for that project. Standalone grading or earthmoving may require a separate permit depending on your municipality. We help coordinate with local permitting offices so your project stays compliant.
How long does excavation take?
A typical residential foundation excavation can be completed in 1 to 2 days. Larger projects, land clearing, or sites with difficult soil conditions may take longer. Weather can also be a factor since saturated ground is harder to work safely.
What happens to the excavated dirt?
Clean fill soil is typically stockpiled on-site for backfilling around the foundation once construction is complete. Excess soil can be spread for grading or hauled off-site. We discuss soil management as part of the project planning so there are no surprises.
Explore
Related Services
Concrete Foundations
Solid, professionally poured foundations for homes and structures.
Gravel Driveways
Affordable, well-graded gravel driveways with proper drainage.
Concrete Driveways
Durable concrete driveways built to withstand Michigan weather.
Need Excavation Work?
Contact us for a free estimate on your excavation or site preparation project.