Excavation and Earthwork in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mass excavation, cut and fill operations, utility trenching, and earthmoving services across Broward County
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Who This Service Is For
Our excavation and earthwork services in Broward County serve general contractors, developers, custom home builders, commercial property owners, and infrastructure projects that require significant earthmoving and excavation work throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Weston, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, and other growing communities.
Whether you need mass excavation for a large development in Weston, utility trenching for infrastructure in Plantation, or cut and fill operations to balance site elevations in Pembroke Pines, we coordinate licensed contractors with the right equipment and expertise for your project scope, navigating Broward County Building Code Division, Development & Environmental Review (DER), Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits with specialized knowledge of high water table conditions.
Typical Project Sizes in Broward County
Excavation and earthwork projects in Broward County typically start around $25,000 for residential foundation work and can range from $50,000 to $500,000+ for large-scale commercial mass excavation, cut and fill operations, or infrastructure projects. Projects requiring extensive dewatering, working in flood zones, or involving wetlands often cost more due to additional permit requirements and specialized techniques. Projects involving development work as described in Florida Statute 380.04 require a development permit prior to the issuance of a building permit.
What Excavation and Earthwork Includes in Broward County
Our comprehensive excavation services cover all aspects of earthwork in Broward County:
Mass Excavation and Cut/Fill
Large-scale excavation and earthmoving for commercial and residential developments, including cut and fill operations to balance site elevations throughout Broward County. Specialized techniques for Broward County's high water table conditions, including dewatering systems where required, with compliance to SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements.
Foundation and Footing Excavation
Precision excavation for building foundations and footings, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions throughout Broward County. Includes proper dewatering and shoring to ensure stable excavation walls, with SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits required for dewatering activities affecting state waters.
Utility Trench Excavation
Trenching for water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications utilities throughout Broward County. Coordination with utility companies and proper utility location before excavation, meeting Broward County requirements for utility installation and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance.
Retention and Detention Ponds
Excavation and construction of stormwater management ponds to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards throughout Broward County. Includes proper pond shaping, depth control, and integration with drainage systems, with compliance to storm event protection requirements.
Swales and Drainage Features
Excavation of swales, ditches, and drainage features to direct water flow and manage stormwater throughout Broward County. Essential for flood-prone properties, meeting SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Fill Import, Export and Hauling
Coordination of fill material import, export, and hauling operations for site balancing and elevation adjustments throughout Broward County. Especially important for properties in flood zones requiring significant fill material to meet Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements and storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures).
Broward County Excavation Considerations
Excavation in Broward County presents unique challenges that require specialized expertise and equipment. Our coordinated network of licensed contractors understands the specific requirements for working in Broward County:
- High Water Table and Dewatering: Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, requires dewatering systems for deep excavations. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters. Proper dewatering prevents water intrusion and ensures stable excavation walls, especially in areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods.
- Development & Environmental Review (DER): Excavation projects typically require Development & Environmental Review through ePermits OneStop for applicable building permits. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. Broward County's Planning and Development Management Division ensures that proposed developments comply with the Broward County Land Development Code and Natural Resource Protection Code.
- Development Permits: Projects involving development work as described in Florida Statute 380.04 require a development permit prior to the issuance of a building permit. This is a critical prerequisite for excavation projects in Broward County.
- Natural Resource Protection Code: Broward County's Natural Resource Protection Code (Chapter 27) regulates environmental activities and enforces requirements for development in environmentally sensitive areas, including wetlands and stormwater management systems. Excavation projects must comply with these requirements.
- Broward County Building Permits: Excavation projects require Uniform Building Permit Applications (updated November 14, 2025) from Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments. Permit applications can be submitted through ePermits OneStop. Permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.
- Coastal Soil Conditions: Coastal areas in Broward County including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach have unique soil characteristics including limestone bedrock, sandy soils, and organic materials that affect excavation techniques and equipment selection. Our contractors are experienced with these conditions.
- Flood Zone Requirements: Excavations in flood zones must comply with FEMA requirements and may require specific elevations and drainage features. Properties in flood zones often require significant fill material to meet Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements and storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures), affecting excavation depth and fill import needs.
- SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Large-scale excavations or those near wetlands may require SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance, especially near surface waters. As of June 28, 2024, new water quality performance standards were implemented. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits.
- Utility Coordination: Excavation requires careful coordination with utility companies to locate and protect existing utilities before digging. Broward County requires proper utility location and marking to prevent damage to water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications infrastructure. Sunshine 811 utility location requirements apply throughout Florida.
- Safety and Shoring: Deep excavations require proper shoring, sloping, or benching to prevent cave-ins and ensure worker safety per OSHA requirements. Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions require specialized shoring techniques.
The Excavation Process in Broward County
Our coordinated approach ensures your excavation project is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all Broward County requirements:
- Site Assessment and Planning: We review engineering drawings, survey data, and site conditions to plan excavation sequences and identify potential challenges, including flood zone analysis, water table assessment, and wetland identification specific to Broward County conditions, including storm event protection requirements.
- Development Permit Coordination: We help identify required development permits as described in Florida Statute 380.04, which must be obtained prior to the issuance of building permits for excavation projects in Broward County.
- Broward County DER Coordination: We help identify required Development & Environmental Review (DER) through ePermits OneStop and coordinate with Broward County Planning and Development Management Division to ensure proposed excavation projects comply with the Broward County Land Development Code and Natural Resource Protection Code. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically.
- Broward County Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including Uniform Building Permit Applications (updated November 14, 2025), DER through ePermits OneStop, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for activities affecting state waters and wetlands, Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. We coordinate with Broward County Building Code Division, SFWMD, and other regulatory agencies as needed.
- Utility Location: We coordinate with utility companies to locate and mark all underground utilities before excavation begins, ensuring compliance with Broward County requirements for utility protection and Sunshine 811 utility location requirements.
- Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (excavators, bulldozers, haul trucks, dewatering systems) and experience for your specific Broward County needs, including expertise with high water table conditions, coastal soils, flood zone requirements, and storm event protection.
- Dewatering Setup: For excavations requiring dewatering, contractors set up dewatering systems in compliance with SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements for activities affecting state waters, ensuring proper water quality management and discharge compliance.
- Excavation Execution: Contractors perform excavation with proper safety measures, dewatering if needed, and precise depth control per specifications. Proper shoring, sloping, or benching is implemented to prevent cave-ins, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
- Quality Control: We monitor progress to ensure excavations meet depth, width, and slope specifications and that soil conditions are suitable for intended use. Final inspections are coordinated with Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments to ensure compliance with all permit conditions, storm event protection requirements, and engineering specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits are required for excavation in Broward County?
Excavation projects in Broward County require development permits (Florida Statute 380.04) obtained prior to building permit issuance, Uniform Building Permit Applications from Broward County Building Code Division, Development & Environmental Review (DER) through ePermits OneStop for applicable projects, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for activities affecting state waters and wetlands, Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and FEMA compliance permits for properties in flood zones. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. Permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. We help identify and coordinate all required permits.
What are SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for dewatering?
SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required in Broward County for dewatering activities affecting state waters. These permits ensure proper water quality management and discharge compliance. As of June 28, 2024, new water quality performance standards were implemented. This is especially important given Broward County's high water table, which often requires dewatering for deep excavations. We coordinate all SFWMD permit requirements for excavation projects.
How does Broward County's high water table affect excavation?
Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, requires dewatering systems for deep excavations. Proper dewatering prevents water intrusion and ensures stable excavation walls. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters. This is especially important in areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods where the water table is particularly high. Excavation techniques must account for saturated soils and potential water intrusion.
What is the difference between cut and fill in excavation?
Cut refers to removing earth from higher elevations, while fill refers to adding earth to lower elevations. Cut and fill operations balance site elevations by moving earth from high areas to low areas, minimizing the need to import or export material. In Broward County, cut and fill operations must account for high water table conditions, flood zone requirements, storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures), and may require SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance for significant land disturbance.
How much does mass excavation cost in Broward County?
Mass excavation costs in Broward County vary significantly based on volume, soil conditions, dewatering requirements, and site access. Typical costs range from $5-15 per cubic yard for simple excavation to $20-40+ per cubic yard for complex projects with dewatering, difficult access, flood zone considerations, or special handling requirements. Projects requiring extensive dewatering or working in wetlands often cost more due to additional permit requirements (SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits) and specialized techniques. Broward County permit processing, including DER review through ePermits OneStop, can add time and costs.
Sub-Services
Explore our specialized excavation and earthwork services in Broward County:
Mass Excavation and Cut/Fill
Large-scale excavation and earthmoving for commercial and residential developments in Broward County
Foundation and Footing Excavation
Precision excavation for building foundations and footings in Broward County
Utility Trench Excavation
Trenching for water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications utilities in Broward County
Retention and Detention Ponds
Excavation and construction of stormwater management ponds in Broward County
Swales and Drainage Features
Excavation of swales, ditches, and drainage features in Broward County
Fill Import, Export and Hauling
Coordination of fill material import, export, and hauling operations in Broward County