Excavation and Earthwork
Mass excavation, cut and fill operations, utility trenching, and earthmoving services across South Florida. We coordinate licensed contractors with heavy equipment to handle large-scale earthwork projects.
From mass excavation for commercial developments to precision utility trenching, our network of licensed contractors delivers comprehensive earthwork solutions. We coordinate projects involving cut and fill operations, retention pond excavation, foundation preparation, and fill import/export coordination.
Who This Service Is For
Our excavation and earthwork services serve general contractors, developers, custom home builders, commercial property owners, and infrastructure projects that require significant earthmoving and excavation work.
Whether you need mass excavation for a large development, utility trenching for infrastructure, or cut and fill operations to balance site elevations, we coordinate contractors with the right equipment and expertise for your project scope.
Typical Project Sizes
Excavation and earthwork projects 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.
Common Problems This Solves
Our excavation and earthwork services address critical challenges in South Florida construction:
- Site Balancing: Uneven terrain requires cut and fill operations to achieve proper elevations for building pads, parking lots, and infrastructure. Mass earthmoving balances sites efficiently.
- High Water Table: South Florida's high water table requires dewatering systems for deep excavations. Our contractors have experience with dewatering and water management.
- Utility Installation: New construction requires utility trenches for water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications. Proper excavation ensures utilities are installed at correct depths and locations.
- Stormwater Management: Retention and detention ponds require significant excavation. These systems are essential for meeting SFWMD and county stormwater requirements.
- Foundation Preparation: Building foundations require precise excavation to proper depths with stable soil conditions. Our contractors ensure foundations are properly prepared.
- Permitting Complexity: Large-scale excavations require SFWMD environmental resource permits and county building permits. We help coordinate all required permits.
Service Areas
View location-specific excavation and earthwork services:
Excavation and Earthwork in Miami, FL
Mass excavation, cut and fill, and earthmoving services for Miami-Dade County with DTPW standards and DERM compliance
Excavation and Earthwork in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mass excavation, cut and fill, and earthmoving services for Broward County with DER permits and SFWMD compliance
Excavation and Earthwork in West Palm Beach, FL
Mass excavation, cut and fill, and earthmoving services for Palm Beach County with Building Division permits and ERM review
Excavation and Earthwork in Florida Keys, FL
Mass excavation, cut and fill, and earthmoving services for Monroe County, Florida Keys with coral rock excavation expertise
Sub-Services
Explore our specialized excavation and earthwork services:
Mass Excavation and Cut/Fill
Large-scale excavation and earthmoving for commercial and residential developments
Foundation and Footing Excavation
Precision excavation for building foundations and footings
Utility Trench Excavation
Trenching for water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications utilities
Retention and Detention Ponds
Excavation and construction of stormwater management ponds
Swales and Drainage Features
Excavation of swales, ditches, and drainage features
Fill Import, Export and Hauling
Coordination of fill material import, export, and hauling operations
South Florida Excavation Considerations
Excavation in South Florida presents unique challenges that require specialized expertise and equipment:
- High Water Table: South Florida's high water table requires dewatering systems for deep excavations. Proper dewatering prevents water intrusion and ensures stable excavation walls.
- Coastal Soil Conditions: Coastal areas have unique soil characteristics including sand, limestone bedrock, and organic materials that affect excavation techniques and equipment selection.
- Flood Zone Requirements: Excavations in flood zones must comply with FEMA requirements and may require specific elevations and drainage features.
- Environmental Permits: Large-scale excavations may require SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance, especially near wetlands or surface waters.
- Utility Coordination: Excavation requires careful coordination with utility companies to locate and protect existing utilities before digging.
- Safety and Shoring: Deep excavations require proper shoring, sloping, or benching to prevent cave-ins and ensure worker safety per OSHA requirements.
The Excavation Process
Our coordinated approach ensures your excavation project is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all requirements:
- Site Assessment and Planning: We review engineering drawings, survey data, and site conditions to plan excavation sequences and identify potential challenges.
- Utility Location: We coordinate with utility companies to locate and mark all underground utilities before excavation begins.
- Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits and coordinate with building departments, SFWMD, and other regulatory agencies.
- Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (excavators, bulldozers, haul trucks) and experience for your specific needs.
- Excavation Execution: Contractors perform excavation with proper safety measures, dewatering if needed, and precise depth control per specifications.
- Quality Control: We monitor progress to ensure excavations meet depth, width, and slope specifications and that soil conditions are suitable for intended use.
Related Services
Excavation and earthwork often work in combination with other site work services. You may also need:
- Land Grading and Site Grading: After excavation, sites require grading to achieve proper elevations and slopes for construction.
- Drainage and Stormwater Solutions: Excavation for retention ponds and drainage features is often part of comprehensive stormwater management.
- Site Work and Site Development: Complete site development includes excavation as part of comprehensive site preparation.
- Land Clearing and Lot Preparation: Excavation typically follows land clearing to prepare sites for construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cut and fill?
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.
Do I need permits for excavation?
Yes, excavation projects typically require building permits from county building departments. Large-scale excavations or those near wetlands may also require SFWMD environmental resource permits. We help identify and coordinate all required permits.
How much does mass excavation cost?
Mass excavation costs vary significantly based on volume, soil conditions, 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, or special handling requirements.
What equipment is used for earthwork?
Earthwork projects use various equipment including excavators (track and wheel), bulldozers, scrapers, compactors, and haul trucks. Equipment selection depends on project scope, soil conditions, and site access. Our contractors have the right equipment for your specific needs.