Scheduling excavation work for the first time can feel overwhelming. You’ve got a project in mind — a new driveway, a foundation, a drainage fix — but you’re not sure what actually happens once the equipment shows up. Here’s what to expect when you work with ABCO on a residential excavation project in Covington Township or the surrounding Eagle Lake area.
Step 1: The Estimate and Site Walk
Before any dirt moves, we walk the property with you. This lets us:
- Confirm access points for equipment
- Identify underground utilities (we call 811 — Pennsylvania’s “Call Before You Dig” service — before every job)
- Discuss the scope: depth, volume, drainage, fill requirements
- Flag any trees, structures, or slopes that affect the approach
The estimate covers equipment time, labor, any materials (like gravel fill or topsoil), and disposal if needed.
Step 2: Utility Marking
Never skip this. In Pennsylvania, state law requires utility marking before any digging. We handle this as standard practice. After you call 811 (or we do it on your behalf), utility companies have 3 business days to mark gas, water, electric, and cable lines.
Digging before marking can result in serious injury, property damage, and significant fines.
Step 3: Site Preparation
Depending on the project, we may need to:
- Remove existing vegetation, topsoil, or debris
- Establish a perimeter or set grading stakes
- Address drainage before starting excavation proper
This phase often gets overlooked in budget conversations. Don’t be surprised if prep work takes a full day before the main dig begins.
Step 4: Excavation
This is the part that looks dramatic. Equipment varies by project: a compact excavator for tight residential sites, a larger machine for open acreage. We excavate to the planned depth and slope, moving soil to a staging area or directly into a haul truck if it’s leaving the property.
For projects in the Gouldsboro area, rocky subsurface is common. Rock changes timelines and cost — it’s something we check for in the estimate phase.
Step 5: Grading and Backfill
After the main work is done, we grade the surrounding area to ensure proper drainage away from structures. If the project requires backfill (filling excavated areas with appropriate material), we compact it in lifts to prevent future settling.
Step 6: Cleanup and Restoration
We restore disturbed areas as close to original condition as the project allows — raking, seeding, or laying sod where needed. Driveways and access routes are cleared of mud and debris before we leave.
Timeline and Disruption
Most residential excavation projects in Covington Township take one to three days on-site, depending on scope. Larger land-clearing or site-prep work can run longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront and communicate any changes as we go.
Questions? Contact ABCO — we’re happy to talk through any project before you commit to anything.