Upgrade your estate
Create a treasured property that reflects your taste without the delays, confusion, or mess.
Create a treasured property that reflects your taste without the delays, confusion, or mess.
Create a treasured property that reflects your taste without the delays, confusion, or mess.
What if every part of your property could be in harmony—beautiful, functional, and perfectly aligned with your lifestyle—without you having to waste time on the details?
Whatever your vision, see it come to life with our holistic attention to quality residential excavation. From prepping for a pool house and designing the hardscape of a multi-tiered hillside patio to resolving flooding issues, our experienced team takes care of the details and unearths your estate’s full potential.
Is your home keeping up with changes in your family life? As new chapters unfold, such as growing children, weddings, and retirement, your outdoor living space may no longer meet your needs.
Whatever your changing lifestyle, we help shape your dreams into reality with residential excavation services. Equipped to clear the way for a new play area, expand the pond and gardens, or create the setting for a new cabana and pool, we help you celebrate life’s milestones in style. Your style.
Need a new septic system for your new home? Is your current septic system failing and in need of repair or replacement?
A failing or poorly installed septic system is an emergency that can quickly turn your pristine estate into a health hazard and source of unpleasantness, neighbour complaints or embarrassing parties. Mmhmm, all those extra guests and high water usage mean parties are when your latent septic issues manifest in earnest. Talk about making memories!
On the other hand, problem-free septic systems mean problem-free living and entertaining. Our expert septic system designers and installers quickly get you back to enjoying your home and property.
The estate owners envisioned enjoying an entertainer’s outdoor paradise and hosting friends and family in style on a large backyard deck. However, the property hosted several challenges. Firstly, the house was positioned on a knoll with significant grade level changes over the length of the home, and the backyard was just a grass lawn. To complicate matters, the septic tank had to be relocated while the house was in use.
To bring the homeowner’s dream yard to life, we began by thoroughly investigating all site elements. Straightaway, we involved the homeowner in the design process. thereafter, we proposed a landscaping design plan that included material recommendations and options.
Initially, we started by relocating the septic tank. In addition, we made grade elevation changes to create distinct entertaining areas, which were separated by gardens and water flow pathways that prevent excessive erosion. Subsequently, we expanded the original deck area, added new seating areas, and installed armour stone. Now that the residential excavation was complete, the site was finally ready for landscape lighting, plant beds, and trees.
The septic tank was in good condition, so we proposed moving it six metres out of the way of the new construction rather than replacing it. Using a crane to deliver and place a new tank or lift and relocate the existing tank would have been very costly because the necessary access just wasn’t there. We devised a plan to move the existing tank with heavy wood shoring and a hydraulic ram.
Today, the homeowners take pride in offering hospitality to friends and family in a stunning outdoor living space. Notably, the genuine Italian-made pizza oven has become a beloved feature, providing an authentic cultural experience that everyone enjoys!
The old front yard pond was overgrown with bullrushes and, as a result, surrounded by a frequently flooded, partially inaccessible, weedy grassed area that was impossible to maintain. Moreover, the pond’s banks continually eroded and its water level lowered as it filled with silty sediment—not good for the fish! Even the gravel driveway, unfortunately, washed out with every major rainstorm. Consequently, the owners desired a tidy, cared-for-looking front yard that they could maintain with a lawn tractor.
This residential excavation transformation required investigating all site elements, including the causes of the water drainage and erosion issues.
First, we relocated communications cables laid on the grass through the work area. Then, we cleared the pond of overgrown plants and the yard of dead trees. Additionally, we regraded and stabilized the soil to prevent flooding and lawn and pond perimeter erosion. Importantly, we added ditch inlets along the side of the driveway to collect and direct the rainwater away so it didn’t wash out the driveway.
While protecting the fish, we designed erosion-resistant, high-flow water flow channels into and out of the pond, including a pond overflow waterfall, thus slowing flows and controlling water levels. To counter upstream farm fields’ silty sediments from contaminating the pond, we created a slowly circulating forebay (silt settlement area) upstream of the main pond to prevent silt and other debris from entering the pond.
Finally, we added an access route to make the entire yard accessible for maintenance.
Interestingly, we discovered that someone had reworked the pond at least twice previously. Specifically, concrete dams were buried in the pond banks; however, a large underground water channel had eroded around and under them. Also, the pond liner leaked due to improper seam joining methods. Thus, we corrected these and lined the pond with premium-grade membrane and clay to make the pond banks impervious to damage.
At last, the front yard looks tidy and is easily maintained, allowing for enjoyment without the worry of sinking into a wet lawn. Additionally, the fish are healthier in the cleaner, sufficiently full pond. (And, silt can be removed from the forebay by vacuum truck without sucking up the fish!)
Happy with the front yard improvements, the homeowner’s vision has subsequently expanded to other parts of the property. : )
The homeowners envisioned hosting their children, grandchildren, and friends for extended stays and enjoying a multi-zoned outdoor living space. This, in essence, called for a freestanding guesthouse and garage for extra vehicles. Additionally, they wanted to add a pool house with outdoor cooking and entertainment facilities, washrooms, and a seating area with a gas fireplace, all while incorporating the existing pool water treatment equipment.
To ground the homeowner’s vision, we first thoroughly investigated all site elements. This included safe access paths, septic capacity, and locations of the numerous (inconveniently placed) buried utilities supporting the century farmhouse and many other buildings. Consequently, we planned the upgraded infrastructure, including material recommendations and options.
We designed and installed a new septic system that supports the increased treatment capacity requirement and makes accommodating future expansion easy. In addition, we trenched for natural gas, electrical, communications, water, and sewer lines to each building. Thinking ahead, we placed spare conduits between various buildings for future capacity.
One of their children was getting married on the property, so everything needed to be fully functional and look breathtaking by an immovable wedding date! Despite the challenges encountered during construction, the property was ready on time and helped create priceless family memories.
All enjoyed the wedding in this beautiful outdoor space, and even the pool was open for the wedding! As a result, word has spread, and the property has become a favourite wedding spot for more new families.
The owners have already hired us back for new residential excavation work, as it is time to install a natural gas generator to support electrical power to the buildings during power outages. The lights never go out when your vision is unearthed with excellence.
Management, Design & Planning
Septic Systems
Excavation
Site Work
Grading
Demolition
Landscape Improvements
Hey, this is a no obligation, free call. Nothing to lose, much to gain. Book now.
Do you do same-day site visits?
While we prioritize urgent requests, scheduling a typical site visit typically requires one or more business days’ notice. This, of course, ensures we provide the detailed attention and preparation your estate project deserves. So, book your consultation or call as soon as possible for priority scheduling.
What should I expect after the initial phone consultation?
If we determine that your residential excavation project is a good fit, we’ll guide you through the following steps:
How detailed are your quotes?
Because it’s our habit to assess your site and needs thoroughly, you will receive a well-thought-out quote, likely including:
Of course, we’ll answer your questions and provide additional explanations or options to empower your decision-making process.
What will it be like working with you?
Once you give the official go-ahead, the work of unearthing your vision begins! We follow a four-step process to ensure you know what is happening, are involved in decision-making, and are confident in the progressing work. On the whole, the four steps are:
How do you minimize lifestyle disruption and property damage during your work?
Careful planning and execution keep any disruption to your daily life and property to a minimum. It begins with a thorough site assessment to identify and protect sensitive areas and continues with precision techniques, equipment, and minimally invasive installation methods.
Our broad experience in residential management, design, and execution is unique. It’s why homeowners are confident that whatever we encounter on-site, we can successfully execute the project with minimal disruption. We implement plans that protect existing structures, use the right equipment and materials, and maintain site cleanliness and safety.
When the project is completed, how can I be sure the job was done right?
After completion, we’ll meet on-site to provide you with a final update on the performed work, including:
Passing regulatory inspections is, indeed, the minimum standard everyone should expect. However, our final update gives you more. As a result, you’ll increase your site knowledge and understand exactly why the job was done the way it was.
Do you guarantee your work?
Yes, we stand by our work 100%. In the unlikely event that there are any issues with our work, we’ll go above and beyond to make it right.
Our guarantee covers non-commercial projects completed per our recommended scope of work. We complete residential work to TARION standards. Our warranty is included in your contract and the value of the guarantee is limited to the value of the work completed.
It’s an easy offer when our experience gives us rock-solid confidence!
Where does the dirt go?
Excess soil from excavation is managed responsibly, meaning it’s reused on-site for landscaping enhancements or removed and disposed of following environmental best practices. Our process ensures a clean and compliant completion of your project.
Can some of my demolition site materials be salvaged or reused?
We prioritize sustainability by salvaging and recycling your materials where possible and where they support your vision. This approach conserves resources and reflects our commitment to environmentally responsible practices and can also add historical character to your property.
How do you avoid damaging underground utilities?
Thorough site analysis, utility detection equipment, marking equipment, and utility company communications allow us to precisely map and avoid underground installations. Consequently, this ensures the safety and integrity of your project.
What equipment do you use?
Our fleet includes highly specialized machinery suited for various tasks, such as compact excavators for fine work in tight spaces and larger machinery for extensive residential hardscaping projects. Additionally, our project management software supports agile project delivery and helps keep projects on schedule and within budget. Paired with expert knowledge, our suite of equipment and implements ensures your project is executed efficiently and precisely.
Are you licensed and insured for this work?
We are licensed septic system designers and installers, fully WSIB compliant and insured, adhering to industry standards for quality and safety.
What communities do you serve?
Most of our clients are located within a 90km radius of St. George in the greater Brant, Hamilton, and Kitchener areas in Southwestern Ontario. However, many executive home and custom cottage property owners have relied on us to upgrade their outdoor spaces as far away as Port Dover and Muskoka.
Is my residential project too small for you?
We cater to estate owners with diverse needs, crafting challenging modifications to major transformations. From correcting complex drainage issues and providing utilities to secondary buildings to turf rehabilitation and creating gorgeous hardscaping, we make your vision a reality. Ultimately, the best way to find out if your residential excavation project is too small is to book a free consult.
What qualifications should I look for in an excavation company?
Look for a company with proven experience in management, design, and execution in challenging residential situations. Without this combination, rookie mistakes are easily made.
What’s more, get a risk assessment for underground, surface, structures, and overhead risks specific to your project. Ask about, and get meaningful answers regarding, the proposed solution’s performance. Is it what you want? Does it meet your expectations for performance as well as your budget? You should feel confident in the communication with your contractor.
A good excavation company will have a smooth project management track record, with minimal disruptions to timelines, budgets, and your lifestyle. It will ensure clear expectations, including accurate cost projections, disclosed design/testing standards, and detailed materials specifications. At the same time, a reliable excavation contractor will ensure effective site planning for the work space and access, materials storage, and deliverables. Ultimately, your site will be left clean, and you’ll receive job completion and encountered issues reports.
The right excavation company’s machine operators will be experienced and use the proper equipment to handle the job safely.
Ensure it meets regulatory requirements, including WSIB compliance, mandatory safety training, and licensed designers and installers. Memberships in professional organizations, such as the Brantford Home Builders Association and the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association, can provide evidence of community engagement and reputation.
Indeed, Advanced Excavating meets these criteria, with a do-it-right-once approach. Your project deserves a team that unearths your property’s potential with minimal disruptions and maximum results.
Our work exceeds expectations, our guarantee covers non-commercial projects completed per our recommended scope of work, and our warranty is included in your contract. It’s why our client relationships last decades, working on new projects as needs evolve. Clients like these…