When your grading is done correctly, everything else falls into place. Water flows away from your foundation like it should. Your builder can start work immediately without delays. Inspections pass on the first try.
You get a building site that’s engineered for your specific lot conditions, not just pushed around until it looks level. Proper slopes prevent water problems that cost thousands to fix later. The right compaction means your foundation stays stable for decades.
Your project moves forward on schedule because the groundwork was done right from day one.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking has been serving Rockhurst homeowners since we transitioned to full-time excavation in 2020, building on 25+ years of experience that started in the logging business. Josh and his son work as partners, with Josh present on almost every job to ensure quality control.
We understand Rockhurst’s soil conditions, from rocky areas that need special handling to clay that requires proper drainage solutions. Our experience with local inspectors means we know exactly what they’re looking for, so your project passes inspection the first time.
This is a family business focused on building long-term relationships. We want to be your excavator forever, not just the cheapest option for this one job.
Every project starts with walking your site together. We identify drainage challenges, mark utilities, and note any existing features that need protection. You get a detailed estimate that covers the scope, timeline, and what to expect each day.
We bring the right equipment for your specific job – excavator and bulldozer for most residential sites, additional machinery for larger properties. We remove excess soil where needed, add proper fill material, and create the correct slopes for drainage.
The final step is fine-tuning grades to match your construction plans and local code requirements. Before we leave, water flows away from your foundation toward appropriate drainage areas, and the site is ready for your next contractor to start work immediately.
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Our grading services include everything needed to prepare your Rockhurst property for construction. Site clearing removes trees and brush while protecting features you want to keep. Foundation excavation meets engineering specifications for stable support.
Rockhurst’s soil conditions vary from sandy areas to heavy clay, with rocky conditions common throughout the region. We’re equipped to handle rock removal when necessary, though this adds time and cost to the project. Poor soil conditions like clay or organic material get excavated and replaced with suitable fill.
Drainage planning is critical in our area. We create proper slopes that direct water away from your foundation and toward appropriate drainage areas. This prevents the basement flooding and erosion issues that plague improperly graded lots.
Most residential grading projects take 2-4 days to complete, depending on lot size and complexity. Simple lots with good access often finish in 1-2 days, while properties requiring significant cut and fill work might take a week.
Grading costs depend on lot size, elevation changes needed, soil conditions, and site access. A typical residential lot in Rockhurst ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for basic grading, but sites with significant drainage challenges or difficult access cost more.
We provide detailed estimates after walking your site because every property is different. Factors like existing trees you want to save, underground utilities, or importing large amounts of soil all affect the final cost.
The investment in proper grading protects your much larger investment in the home itself. Poor grading leads to drainage problems, foundation issues, and failed inspections that cost far more to fix later.
Rockhurst area soil varies from sandy loam to heavy clay, with rocky conditions in some locations. Rock requires special equipment to break up and remove, which adds time and cost to projects. We identify these conditions during our site evaluation and include them in estimates whenever possible.
Clay and organic material usually need excavation and replacement with suitable fill. These soil types don’t provide stable support for foundations and can cause drainage problems if not handled properly.
If we encounter unexpected conditions during work, we stop and discuss options with you before proceeding. Our local experience helps us anticipate most soil challenges, but surprises do happen and we handle them transparently.
Proper drainage starts with understanding your lot’s natural water flow patterns and creating grades that work with them, not against them. We establish slopes that direct water away from your foundation and toward appropriate drainage areas like street gutters or natural swales.
The key is creating the right grade percentages – steep enough for good drainage but not so steep that erosion becomes a problem. We also consider where water from neighboring properties flows and how our grading affects that.
Before we leave any job, we verify that water will flow correctly during heavy rains. This prevents the basement flooding and foundation problems that result from poor drainage planning.
Yes, we coordinate septic work as part of site preparation projects. This includes excavation for tanks, distribution boxes, and leach fields according to approved system designs. We work with local health department inspections required at various stages.
Septic systems need specific grades and soil conditions to function properly long-term. Our experience with health department requirements means we prepare sites that pass inspection and support system performance for decades.
We can also modify existing septic components if your construction project requires it. Protecting existing systems is always part of our planning process when working around established septic fields.
Most residential grading projects in Rockhurst take 2-4 days to complete, depending on lot size and work complexity. Simple lots with good access and minimal drainage challenges often finish in 1-2 days. Larger properties or sites requiring significant cut and fill work might take a week or more.
Weather affects timing – we can’t grade effectively in heavy rain or when soil conditions are too wet. Rocky soil conditions also extend project timelines since rock removal requires additional equipment and careful work.
We provide realistic timelines during our estimate process and keep you updated if conditions change. The goal is completing quality work efficiently, not rushing through to meet arbitrary deadlines.
Before any excavation begins, utilities are located and marked through the state’s Dig Safe program. This identifies approximate locations of underground gas, electric, water, and communication lines. For precise work near utilities, we use hand digging or vacuum excavation to expose lines safely.
If we encounter unmarked utilities during work, we immediately stop and contact the appropriate utility company for safe exposure and relocation if needed. We work carefully around all marked utilities and never take risks with underground lines.
Proper utility location and careful excavation techniques prevent costly damage and dangerous situations that shut down projects. This is why we always start with complete utility marking before any digging begins.
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