You get a level, properly compacted site that’s ready for your contractor to start building immediately. No delays waiting for someone to come back and fix what should have been done right the first time. No surprises when the foundation crew shows up and can’t work because the site isn’t actually ready.
Your project moves forward on schedule. Your other contractors can do their jobs without dealing with grading problems that should have been handled properly from the start.
The peace of mind that comes from working with a local contractor who understands Washington County soil conditions, knows the permit requirements, and has the equipment to handle whatever your property throws at us.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking started as a logging business in 1997 and transitioned to full-time excavation in late 2020. Josh’s son joined as a partner in 2022, making this a true family operation where quality matters more than rushing to the next job.
Josh is present on almost every job to ensure the work meets our standards. We focus on building lasting relationships with customers—aiming to be your “excavator forever” rather than just another contractor who disappears after the check clears.
We understand the unique challenges of working in upstate New York. Rocky soil conditions, navigating local permitting requirements, seasonal weather that affects equipment access. You’re getting contractors who know how the ground behaves here and what it takes to get the job done right.
First, we walk your property and discuss exactly what you need. You get a detailed estimate that breaks down the work and timeline—no vague numbers or surprise charges later. Every cost is explained upfront.
Once you’re ready to move forward, we handle any necessary permits and coordinate with your other contractors if needed. Most residential lots take 1-3 days to clear completely, depending on size and density of trees. Larger properties or heavily wooded areas can take a week or more.
We dig to the proper depth and ensure the base is level and properly compacted for your foundation contractor. Weather affects timing—we can’t grade properly in muddy conditions, and wet ground limits equipment access. But we schedule projects with realistic timeframes and keep you updated if conditions cause delays.
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You get comprehensive site preparation including land clearing, grading, and utility trenching for new construction. We handle septic system installation and replacement, including excavation for tanks, distribution boxes, and leach fields. We work with local septic designers to ensure proper installation that meets Washington County requirements.
Foundation excavation gets done to proper specifications, with understanding of local soil conditions and any special requirements like dealing with ledge or high water tables. In the Cossayuna area, typical residential foundation excavation ranges from $3,000 to $8,000, but every site is different based on conditions and access.
Driveway excavation and installation covers everything from basic gravel drives to more complex paved surfaces that require proper base preparation. We also provide construction hauling services—moving topsoil, sand, stone in, or removing demolition debris, stumps, and logs as your project requires.
Permit requirements depend on your property size, what you’re clearing, and what’s planned for the land afterward. Most residential land clearing under an acre doesn’t require special permits, but larger projects or areas near wetlands often do.
If you’re clearing for new construction, your building permit process usually covers site preparation requirements. We’re familiar with local Washington County regulations and can help you determine what’s needed for your specific project.
When permits are required, we can assist with applications or work with your contractor to ensure compliance with Washington County and New York State requirements. No sense in starting work that has to be redone because permits weren’t handled properly.
Most residential lots take 1-3 days to clear completely, depending on size and density of trees. Larger properties or heavily wooded areas can take a week or more. The key variables are how much material needs to be moved and what the weather is doing.
Weather affects timing significantly—we can’t grade properly in muddy conditions, and wet ground limits equipment access. We schedule your project with realistic timeframes and keep you updated if conditions cause delays.
The key is planning ahead. Don’t wait until your contractor needs to start building to begin land clearing. Give yourself buffer time for weather delays and any unexpected issues that might be uncovered once work begins.
Foundation excavation costs depend on several factors: the size and depth of your foundation, soil conditions, accessibility, and any special requirements like dealing with ledge or high water tables. In the Cossayuna area, typical residential foundation excavation ranges from $3,000 to $8,000, but every site is different.
Rocky soil conditions and ledge can increase costs, as can difficult access or wet conditions that require special handling. We provide detailed estimates that break down exactly what’s included so there are no surprises when the work is done.
Our experience with local soil conditions in Washington County means we can often anticipate potential issues during the estimate process. This helps you budget accurately for your project instead of getting hit with unexpected costs later.
Yes, we handle stumps properly based on your plans for the land. If you’re building, stumps get completely removed or ground down below grade so they won’t interfere with foundations or utilities. No shortcuts that create problems later.
For areas that will be lawn or landscaping, we grind stumps down and remove the grindings. Simply cutting trees and leaving stumps creates problems later when you try to grade or build—problems that cost more to fix than doing it right the first time.
Our equipment includes stump grinders sized for different jobs, from small residential stumps to large trees. Stump removal is included in our land clearing estimates—we don’t quote tree removal and then surprise you with additional stump grinding costs.
Absolutely. We regularly coordinate with foundation contractors, septic designers, utility companies, and other trades to ensure your project moves smoothly from one phase to the next. Communication prevents the delays that kill construction schedules.
We understand the sequence of construction and can time our work so your site is ready exactly when your next contractor needs to start. This prevents delays and keeps your project on schedule instead of having trades waiting around for each other.
We keep you and your other contractors informed about progress, any issues that come up, and when the site will be ready for the next phase of work. Everyone knows what to expect and when to expect it.
We’ve been working in Washington County since 1997, starting as a logging business before transitioning to full-time excavation. We understand how the soil behaves here, what equipment works best on local terrain, and which areas need special attention for drainage.
Local experience matters when dealing with ledge, high water tables, and the seasonal challenges that affect excavation work in upstate New York. We know the permit requirements and how to work around utilities and wetlands that can complicate projects in this area.
You’re not getting someone who learned about your property from Google Maps. We’ve worked on similar lots throughout Cossayuna and the surrounding area, so we can anticipate potential issues and plan accordingly instead of discovering problems after work has started.
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