You get a site that’s actually ready for your next contractor. Not “mostly ready” with problems you’ll discover later, but properly graded with water flowing where it should and foundations that won’t settle.
Your construction stays on schedule because the groundwork was done right the first time. No callbacks. No surprises. No watching other trades wait around because the site wasn’t properly prepared.
That means your timeline stays intact and your budget doesn’t get eaten up fixing problems that should never have existed.
We’ve been working Halfmoon properties since transitioning from logging to full-time excavation in 2020. Josh and his son understand this area’s unique challenges – from the clay deposits near the Mohawk River to the rocky terrain in the hills.
We’ve graded sites throughout Halfmoon’s growing neighborhoods, handling everything from tight residential lots to larger developments. When you’re building in an area with 106-lot subdivisions and multiple new construction communities, you need contractors who understand local soil conditions without learning on your dime.
This is a family business where Josh is present on almost every job. You’re not getting a crew that shows up and figures it out as they go.
First, we walk your property and discuss exactly what you need. We look at drainage patterns, soil conditions, and access points. You get a clear picture of what the work involves and what it costs – no guessing games.
Before any digging starts, we call Dig Safe and mark all utilities. Then we bring the right equipment for your specific site, whether that’s compact excavators for tight spaces or larger machines for extensive grading work.
During the work, we grade for proper drainage and handle any rock or obstacles we encounter. We keep you updated on progress and discuss any issues before they become problems. When we’re finished, your site is clean, level, and properly graded according to your project specifications – ready for your next contractor to start immediately.
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Your grading work includes proper water management – critical in Halfmoon where drainage challenges are common. We direct water away from foundations and ensure septic drain fields have the right slope for proper function.
Rock is a reality in parts of Halfmoon, and we’re equipped to handle it with hydraulic hammers and rock-breaking equipment. If we encounter significant rock that wasn’t visible during assessment, we discuss options with you before proceeding – no surprise bills.
In Halfmoon’s terrain, we work with natural slopes rather than fighting them, which saves money and prevents erosion problems. Your property gets complete site preparation including land clearing, foundation excavation, septic system grading, utility trenching, and drainage solutions. Everything needed to move from raw land to construction-ready site.
Most residential foundation excavation and grading takes 1-2 days, depending on soil conditions and project size. Rocky areas or clay-heavy soil can add time, but we’ll know this after our initial site visit.
Weather affects timing too – we don’t work in conditions that create unsafe environments or poor results. Wet conditions can slow equipment movement and make proper grading difficult.
We give you realistic timeframes upfront and keep you updated if conditions change the schedule. A typical half-acre lot with moderate challenges usually takes 2-3 days for complete site preparation.
Halfmoon has distinct soil patterns that affect excavation work. Near the Mohawk River, you’ll find clay deposits that need special attention for drainage and compaction. These areas require different equipment approaches and more careful water management.
The hillier sections often have rocky terrain that requires rock-breaking equipment. Sometimes minor rock can be removed at no extra cost, but extensive rock removal may need additional equipment and time.
We’ve worked throughout Halfmoon long enough to know which areas drain well naturally and which ones need extra grading work. Local knowledge matters when you’re moving earth – we’re not learning these conditions on your project.
Simple foundation work usually doesn’t require separate excavation permits, but septic systems need health department approval. Larger projects or work near wetlands may require additional permits.
We’re familiar with local requirements and can guide you through what’s needed. We always call Dig Safe before starting any excavation work – that’s required by law and protects your utilities.
The permit process varies based on project scope and location. During our site visit, we’ll discuss any permit requirements specific to your property and help you understand the timeline for approvals.
Proper grading is critical for foundation work and septic systems. We grade to direct water away from foundations and ensure septic drain fields have the right slope for proper function.
If your property has drainage challenges, we identify solutions during our site visit. This might involve additional grading work, French drains, or adjusting the building location to work with natural water flow.
We don’t just dig holes – we make sure water goes where it should. In Halfmoon’s terrain, this often means working with natural slopes rather than fighting them, which saves money and prevents future erosion problems.
Your site preparation includes complete land clearing with tree and brush removal, stump grinding, and debris disposal. We handle rocks and other obstacles that would slow down construction later.
Foundation excavation meets building code requirements for depth and dimensions. We also handle utility trenching for water, sewer, and electric lines, plus septic system installation with proper drain field grading.
The finished site is clean, level, and properly graded according to your specifications. Your contractor can start work immediately without having to fix clearing mistakes or work around obstacles that should have been removed.
We plan access routes that minimize damage to existing features. Our operators have experience working in tight spaces around established landscaping, driveways, and buildings.
We use appropriate equipment size for the space available – compact excavators for backyard work or larger equipment when space allows. If some damage is unavoidable due to access requirements, we discuss this upfront so you can make informed decisions.
We also restore disturbed areas to reasonable condition when excavation is complete. The goal is completing your project while preserving as much of your existing property as possible.
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