Your foundation contractor can do their job without fighting uphill battles against poor site preparation. Water drains away from your house like it should, every time it rains. Your project stays on schedule because the groundwork is solid from day one.
You avoid the expensive fixes that come from rushed or inexperienced grading work. No basement flooding during the next heavy storm. No foundation settling that cracks your walls two years later. Just a building site that’s ready for whatever comes next, whether that’s pouring concrete or installing utilities.
The difference shows up immediately and lasts for decades. When contractors know the site is prepared right, they can focus on their work instead of dealing with drainage problems or unstable ground.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking has been handling site preparation and grading projects throughout Chester and Orange County since 1997. What started as a logging business became full-time excavation in 2020, with Josh’s son joining as partner in 2022.
Josh is present on almost every job to ensure quality. This isn’t about being the cheapest option—it’s about being the contractor you can count on for the next twenty years. We focus on building lasting relationships with customers, aiming to be your “excavator forever” through exceptional care and value.
Chester’s soil conditions require contractors who understand how water moves through local ground types and know the difference between rocky areas that need special attention and spots where drainage requires careful planning. That local knowledge matters when your foundation depends on proper site preparation.
First, we walk your property to understand the natural drainage patterns and identify any problem areas. We look at where water needs to go and plan the grades accordingly. No guesswork—just experienced assessment of what your specific site requires.
Next, we bring in the right equipment for your site conditions. Our operators remove high spots, fill low areas, and create the proper slopes for drainage. We compact as we go to prevent settling later, using excavators for precision work and bulldozers for moving larger amounts of material efficiently.
Finally, we fine-grade the surface to the exact specifications your project requires. Whether you’re pouring a foundation, installing a septic system, or preparing for landscaping, the site is ready for the next phase of work. You get a site that’s properly prepared, drains correctly, and won’t cause problems down the road.
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Site preparation includes clearing, excavation for utilities, and soil management. We coordinate these services so your project flows smoothly from site prep through construction without delays or surprises. Most residential grading projects in Chester take 1-3 days depending on lot size and complexity.
Rough grading establishes the basic drainage patterns and removes major high and low spots across your site. This happens early in the construction process, often before utilities are installed. Fine grading comes later and brings the site to exact elevations needed for foundations, driveways, or landscaping.
Chester’s permit requirements vary depending on project scope, especially if you’re moving significant amounts of soil or changing drainage patterns. The town wants to ensure proper erosion control and stormwater management. We can help you understand what permits your project needs and work with local officials to ensure compliance. It’s always better to check with the building department before starting any major grading work.
Most residential grading projects in Chester take 1-3 days depending on lot size and complexity. A typical new home construction site can be rough graded in a day, with fine grading completed once utilities are installed.
Larger lots or sites with drainage challenges may take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline after looking at your specific property conditions and project requirements. The key is doing it right rather than rushing through and creating problems that delay your entire construction schedule.
Most grading projects in Chester require permits, especially if you’re moving significant amounts of soil or changing drainage patterns. The town wants to ensure proper erosion control and stormwater management.
We can help you understand what permits your project needs and work with local officials to ensure compliance. Simple residential grading often doesn’t require separate permits, but larger projects or work that affects drainage patterns might need approval. It’s always better to check with the building department before starting any major grading work rather than having to stop mid-project.
Rough grading establishes the basic drainage patterns and removes major high and low spots across your site. This happens early in the construction process, often before utilities are installed. It’s about getting the general shape and slope right for proper water flow.
Fine grading comes later and brings the site to exact elevations needed for foundations, driveways, or landscaping. Fine grading requires more precision and typically happens just before construction begins on buildings or hardscaping. Both steps are necessary—rough grading handles the big picture drainage, while fine grading gets everything to exact specifications.
We start by understanding how water naturally moves across your property, then work with those patterns rather than against them. This might mean installing drainage structures, creating swales to direct water flow, or adjusting grades to prevent water from pooling near buildings.
Each site is different, so we develop drainage solutions based on your specific soil conditions, property layout, and local requirements. Chester’s soil conditions require contractors who understand how water moves through local ground types and know which areas need special attention for proper drainage planning.
We use excavators, bulldozers, and graders depending on your project size and site conditions. Excavators handle precision work and can work in tighter spaces. Bulldozers move larger amounts of material efficiently. Graders provide the fine finishing work needed for final grades.
We select equipment based on what your specific site requires, not just what’s convenient for us. Having our own equipment means we’re not dependent on rentals or subcontractors, so your project stays on schedule and we can handle whatever your site throws at us.
Grading costs depend on site size, soil conditions, and how much material needs to be moved. A typical residential lot might range from a few thousand dollars for basic grading to more for complex sites with drainage challenges or difficult access.
We provide detailed estimates after seeing your property and understanding your project requirements. No surprises or hidden costs—just honest pricing based on what your specific site actually needs. The investment in proper grading prevents much more expensive problems later, like foundation issues or basement flooding.
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