Earth Moving
Excavation. Done better.
We provide professional excavation services in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Our team prioritizes safety and quality, with skilled operators who deliver reliable results for residential and commercial projects. Contact us for excavation, grading, stormwater management, demolition, and more. Let us earn your recommendation with every project.
Our excavation services in Bellingham and the surrounding areas include:
- Earth Work and Grading Services
- Stormwater Management
- Retaining Walls
- Demolition
- Habitat Restoration and Shoreline Stabilization
- Bridges
- Trenches
- Brush Mowing + Removal
Local Expertise Unique to Excavating in Bellingham
Most of us love living in Northwest Washington for the beautiful shorelines of Bellingham Bay, the world-class mountain-biking trails of Galbraith, the magical hikes the Chuckanut Mountains are home to, and the wonderful recreational activities on Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. This abundant mix of shorelines, wetlands, slopes, and rocky knobs present throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties calls for expert level excavation services. We boast a team of highly qualified local operators who understand the environmental considerations that must be taken to excavate safely and with precision given Bellingham’s varied geography.
Earth Work and Grading Services
We always look forward to a day in the dirt. Whether our team is working as the general contractor or as a subcontractor for a commercial, multi-family, single-family, or public project, we bring the same level of professionalism to all things earth work and grading, including:
- Construction Site Preparation. We handle everything from the initial excavation through backfill and final grading to ensure every construction site we prepare, whether we’re preparing it for our build team or another general contractor, will be safe and solid for the long-haul.
- Drainage and Erosion Control. We get a lot of rain and have a lot of slopes in and around Bellingham. Proper grading and compaction are critical to support appropriate water flow and prevent erosion.
- Infrastructure and Roadway Projects. Early onset failures in roadways and driveways are typically preventable so long as the earth work team takes their time to perform proper sub-grade preparation, compaction, and grading. Our team offers quality civil construction services you can rely on. Whereas some excavation work is limited by rain in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, gravel driveway improvements are a popular winter-service.
- Landscaping and Aesthetic Improvements. A little flatter here, a little rounder there. We offer precise grading and the application of rich top-soil to make outdoor sanctuaries that are nothing short of special.
- Field and Arena Grading and Maintenance. Surfacing material, such as woodchips or sand, can be brought in to improve drainage in fields and arenas to keep your animals comfortable and clean year-round.
Stormwater Management
We’re a family-first company and love seeing our kiddos enjoy some good old puddle jumping, but unmanaged water that leads to soggy ground, erosion, and flooding can wreak costly havoc on a property or to a building’s foundation. Our team is highly experienced in identifying the most appropriate and cost-effective solutions available to manage stormwater so that you can experience the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to your personal, commercial, or investment property. We’ll visit your site and make the best recommendation for a drainage solution that will best protect your property:
- French Drains. Perforated underground pipes in trenches filled with rock, designed to redirect water away from foundations. Ideal for residential and commercial applications.
- Storm Drains. Underground systems to channel runoff from impermeable surfaces like driveways and parking lots. Required for many commercial and multi-family projects.
- Detention & Retention Ponds. Detention ponds remain dry until rain events, while retention ponds hold water year-round. Both control water flow and can enhance property aesthetics.
- Infiltration Trenches. Rock-filled trenches that allow water to seep into surrounding soil, used for drainage near impermeable surfaces.
Retaining Walls
Not to be overlooked when designing the perfect property, retaining walls can create visual appeal and significantly increase usable space. Not only that, but the steep slopes of the Pacific Northwest often require retaining walls to stabilize soil and create the support necessary to build a home, apartment complex, business, or roadway.
- Natural Stone. For timeless beauty, nothing compares to a natural stone retaining wall. Our team of expert excavation contractors in Bellingham ensures that your stone wall is not only visually appealing but built to withstand the unique environmental factors present in the Pacific Northwest. Our excavation services will help stabilize slopes and create walls that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
- Poured Concrete. Poured concrete with proper internal rebar systems is strong and durable. On its own, a poured concrete retaining wall can offer a highly modern aesthetic. Alternatively, the bare concrete can be covered in a stone façade to create the illusion of a natural stone wall with less long-term maintenance.
- Precast Concrete Block Walls. Want the look of natural stone but the cost savings or ease of maintenance of concrete? Meet precast concrete block walls. Redi-Rock comes in a variety of styles and gives the illusion of stone, but with simpler installation and better longevity. We source our Redi-Rock from Bode’s Precast, a local manufacturer out of Everson. Precast concrete block walls can be large or small and work equally well for both commercial and residential applications. These are the walls we recommend most frequently.
Demolition
The decision to demolish can be a difficult one to make, particularly for anyone with a concern for the environment. Our team cares about being green too. We do our best to minimize the environmental impact of demolition by salvaging what we can for recycling and working with local Whatcom County and Skagit County recycling centers like Lautenbach Recycling. Wood becomes mulch or farm animal bedding, drywall becomes farm animal bedding, wiring and scrap metal is melted down into new metal products, concrete is crushed and becomes a gravel replacement for road construction, and asphalt roofing shingles are shredded and mixed with new asphalt pavement. For most demolition projects we take on, we are able to recycle 70-90% of debris.
- Commercial Demolition. The needs of your commercial space may be unique and, though you found a great property, the existing building(s) may simply not serve your purposes and could be overly costly and time consuming to remodel. As a design-build firm, we are exceptionally qualified at reviewing your options with you to determine if demolition is appropriate to achieve your ultimate business goals.
- Residential Demolition. Though it can be nice to restore historic homes (and we frequently do!), the truth is that some homes have been so poorly maintained or damaged that there are times when demolition is the best path forward. Our team can be relied on to plan and carry out a safe demolition process and design and build a new, gorgeous home for your family.
- Barn and Outbuilding Demolition. It’s not uncommon to see hazardous barns literally falling down across Whatcom County and Skagit County. This is because the permitting process and concerns for safe demolition can be overwhelming to homeowners. Our team can help simplify the process for you so that you can gain usable space on your property.
- Driveway or Parking Lot Demolition. Eventually, the structural integrity of driveways and parking lots can give way. When it’s time to get rid of an existing asphalt or concrete area, contact our demolition experts.
Habitat Restoration and Shoreline Stabilization
The Pacific Northwest is home to beautiful ecosystems. Our habitat restoration services work to minimize and correct damages done to these ecosystems by both people and nature.
- Fish Passage Enhancement. Having originally pursued an education in fisheries management, our civil production manager, Levi, knows a thing or two about fish. He couples his education and career expertise to offer effective solutions to eliminate fish barriers and implement culvert modifications or other means to create effective pathways for fish migration.
- Culvert Replacement. Failed or unsuitably small culverts can create barriers for fish and other wildlife. Our team is skilled in removing and installing both metal and concrete culverts.
- Streambank Stabilization. Streambank stabilization is essential for preventing erosion and maintaining healthy ecosystems along waterways. Our team uses techniques like large woody debris installation to strengthen banks, promote habitat growth, and support aquatic life.
- Removal of Invasive Plants. As delicious as a fresh blackberry may be, these and other bushes can be highly invasive and quickly take over a habitat. By removing invasive plants and planting native vegetation, diverse ecosystems can again thrive.
Bridges
We specialize in building durable and efficient bridges for various construction projects in Bellingham, focusing on minimal environmental impact.
- Precast Concrete. Strong and quick to install, these bridges provide excellent load-bearing capacity while minimizing streambed disruption.
- Prefabricated Steel. Built off-site and installed efficiently, these bridges reduce construction time and traffic disruption.
- Countersunk Culverts. Ideal for stream crossings, these culverts are set below the streambed, ensuring safe passage for fish and other aquatic life.
Trenching
Trench work is never that exciting for owners. It’s utilitarian and doesn’t typically offer any added aesthetic value – one of those expenses no one likes to pay for. However, trenching done safely and correctly is critical for the success of any project.
- Utility Line Trenches. Utility trenches will almost always be an essential part of any new residential or commercial construction project. They will often be necessary for remodeling an existing property too. Utility trenches include trenches for power, water, and gas lines as well as sewer systems.
- Drainage Trenches. More on this in our Storm Water Management section above. Our team is well-versed in French-drains, storm drains, and infiltration trenches.
Brush Mowing + Removal
Homeowners, landowners, farmers, and realtors throughout Bellingham benefit from the brush mowing and removal services we offer. These services result in quick satisfaction and can be an effective way to reveal a property’s otherwise unrealized potential.
- Home & Garden. For homeowners, clearing an overgrown area can be time consuming and literally painful (blackberries are thorny!). Our team has the equipment needed to quickly clear your overgrown space so you can turn it into a garden, yard space, animal pen, or other usable area to enhance your property and quality of life.
- Real Estate Property Staging. Stagers are regularly hired by real estate agents to help enhance the appeal of homes listed for sale. Did you know we provide that same valuable service for vacant land? An overgrown plot, especially if it has been taken over by any sort of invasive species is unappealing to buyers. Our mowing and brush removal services will enhance the curb appeal of your property listings so you can increase your chances of making a profitable sale.
- Storm Clean Up. When windstorms or floods wreak havoc on your property, professional storm clean-up services may be necessary to remove fallen trees and debris. Our team can help you get your property back safely and efficiently.
Visit our blog to learn why we started our civil division, what standards we hold ourselves to, and how we selected our winning team.
Contact us to discuss your project and find out how we can help you achieve the results you desire for your construction projects in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
