Hammonds Plains is one of our busiest areas because it is close to home. We are ten minutes away in Tantallon, so the excavator is not crossing the city to get to you. Most of what we do here is getting ground ready: clearing a lot, digging for a new build, cutting a driveway base, or fixing a yard the builder left full of rock.
Lot and land clearing
Trees, brush, stumps and rock taken off the lot, and the ground left graded and ready to build on. We take down small to mid-size trees ourselves. Stumps come out with the excavator and get hauled away; we do not grind them. Machine work is $150 an hour with an operator, and most clearing jobs are quoted as one flat price after we walk the lot.
Demolition
Sheds, garages, decks, old retaining walls, patios and driveways broken out, loaded and hauled away, with the site left clean for whatever goes in next. From $150 an hour plus disposal.
New build lots
A lot of Hammonds Plains is newer subdivisions, and the builder rarely leaves a yard behind. What gets left is sticks, stumps, open rock and fill. It is not safe for kids or older people, parts of the lot can end up hard to get to, and the water goes the wrong way. As Jack puts it: “Builders only care about building the home. We’re the experts of the land and how to get the water to run properly and get your lawn established.”
Rock
There is bedrock close to the surface in a lot of Hammonds Plains. Hitting it can add a day to a week to a dig, so we look at the site before we put a price on it instead of guessing over the phone.
Excavation
Gallery
Who calls us
Who we work for in Hammonds Plains
New build owners
You bought the house and the yard is rock, fill and ruts. We grade it so the water runs away from the house, bring in topsoil where nothing will grow, and lay sod from $2.50/sq ft once the ground is right.
Builders
Site prep, foundation digs, drainage and driveway bases on new build sites, coordinated with the builder so the schedule holds.
Bigger lots
Acreages out toward Upper Hammonds Plains and Pockwock Road: clearing, long driveway bases, grading, and retaining walls in granite or block from $75/sq ft.
How it works
Give us a call
Give us a call to get started. We'll discuss your property's needs and find a time that works for you.
Book a time
Once we've talked about your project, we'll schedule a convenient time to proceed.
We get to work
At the agreed-upon time, our professional team will expertly proceed with the project.
Questions?
Give Us a Call!
Serving Areas
Hammonds Plains and the surrounding HRM
Opening Hours
Mon - Friday: 6am-6pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parts of Hammonds Plains do you work in?
All of it, from Kingswood, Glen Arbour and Saint George Boulevard to Soaring Way, Luka Lane, Voyageur Way, Wynward Avenue and Pinetree Crescent, and out through Upper Hammonds Plains along Pockwock Road. We work across the rest of HRM too.
Do I need a permit to excavate in Hammonds Plains?
It depends on the job. Site prep for a new build usually falls under the build’s permits, which we coordinate with your builder. A retaining wall over 1 metre on a serviced lot needs an HRM Lot Grading Permit. We sort out permits and approvals as part of planning the job.
How much does excavation cost in Hammonds Plains?
The excavator and operator is $150 an hour and labour is $75 an hour, but most jobs are priced as a complete project after we see the site. Rock is the big cost driver out here. Projects start at $3,000.
Can you work with my builder directly?
Yes. We work with builders on new build sites, coordinating site prep, foundation digs, drainage and driveway bases so the build runs on schedule. If you would rather hire us yourself, separate from the builder, that works too.
How do I get a quote?
Call or text (902) 221-4582. We come out, walk the site, and send one flat written quote within 24 hours of the visit.
Do you do demolition?
Yes. Sheds, garages, decks, old walls, patios and driveways, broken out and hauled away. From $150 an hour plus disposal.
Do you remove trees and stumps?
Small to mid-size trees, yes. Stumps come out with the excavator and get hauled away. We do not do stump grinding.
Can you bring in topsoil?
Yes, as part of our grading and lawn jobs. If you only need topsoil, call (902) 221-4582 and ask.
Do you plow in Hammonds Plains?
Yes. Our snow season runs November 1 to April 30, with seasonal contracts from $1,000. The snow removal page has what is included.