Every residential or even commercial new construction starts with excavation. It doesn’t matter where the building will be built, in Downtown Durham, Southpoint, or in the rural side of the Triangle, you will always see an excavation company start the job by excavating the ground to prepare it for the construction process. If you were wondering what the process of a new construction excavation project is, this is the right place for you. Here we explain step by step what happens during a residential excavation project in Durham, NC.
1. Site Evaluation & Planning
Before any equipment touches the ground, excavators and builders conduct a thorough site evaluation. This includes:
Before anything else, the excavation company and the home builders get together to evaluate the area and to plan for the job. During this meeting they usually discuss the following things:
- The property’s topology and soil composition
- Drainage patterns and natural water flow
- Utilities, easements, and restricted areas
- The compliance with Durham’s zoning and environmental regulations
In Durham, where red clay soils and occasional rocky terrain are common, this evaluation helps determine the best excavation approach and prevents delays later on.
2. Permits & Compliance
The second step is the permits and compliances. Every state and city has rules when it comes to construction projects, and Durham has its own specific regulations. Your local excavation contractors will help you with this. Most of them will handle the whole permit process for you. Here’s what they will take care of on this step:
- Land Disturbance Permits (often needed for projects disturbing more than a set square footage)
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plans
- Utility location marking through NC 811
This is necessary to make sure your project follows city and county requirements and avoids costly compliance issues.
3. Clearing the Land
Next, the construction team will clear the building area of trees and shrubs, topsoil, debris or old structures.
For properties in wooded or rural parts of Durham County, this step can take time, especially if tree removal requires additional environmental review.
4. Rough Excavation
With the site cleared, heavy equipment like excavators, bulldozers, and skid steers begin shaping the land. Rough excavation involves:
- Cutting into high areas
- Filling low spots
- Leveling and shaping the building pad
- Preparing access routes for construction vehicles
The goal is to create a stable, level base that matches the home’s architectural plans.
5. Foundation Excavation
Once the building pad is set, excavation becomes more precise. Crews dig:
- Footings
- Basement or crawlspace areas
- Trenches for utilities
In Durham, clay soils can be dense and hold water, so proper slope, depth, and drainage considerations are essential to prevent future foundation issues.
6. Installing Drainage & Utilities
Before backfilling, contractors install essential underground features such as:
- French drains or perimeter drainage systems
- Water and sewer lines
- Electrical and gas conduit
- Temporary site drainage to manage rain
Given Durham’s sometimes heavy rainfall and clay-heavy soil, proper drainage installation is critical for long-term home stability.
7. Backfilling & Compaction
After utilities and foundation components are in place, excavators backfill the soil around footings and foundation walls. This step includes:
- Adding select fill or gravel
- Compacting the soil in layers
- Ensuring proper grading away from the home
A well-graded site reduces erosion risk and directs water away from the foundation.
8. Final Grading
The last excavation step is the one that prepares the property for the next phase of the construction project. As part of the grading services, your contractor will do the following:
- Smoothing the ground surface
- Create slopes for proper drainage
- Establish the elevation for driveways and walkways
At this stage, the land will be ready for foundation work, framing, and everything else that comes with the building job.
Why Excavation is so Important
As you can see, excavation isn’t just about digging. There is a strategy behind it that matters in the long run for the whole construction project. There is a process behind it, and we did our best to split it in 8 steps for a better and easier understanding. You home depends on it, and if you are a homeowner whose house is about to be build, these ideas can be beneficial for you so you can follow the live excavation process and know when it’s done right or wrong.