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Expert Excavation Contractors in New Haven County, CT
Excellence Masonry and Contracting offers expert excavation and grading throughout New Haven County. Whether you need site prep in Milford or drainage solutions in Southbury, we have the equipment and expertise to do it right.
Professional excavation and grading are about more than just moving dirt; they are about reshaping the land to permanently solve water problems and prepare for future construction. Using precision instruments like laser transits, we establish and execute a detailed grading plan that ensures positive drainage, moving water away from your home's foundation and preventing pooling in your yard. We understand the properties of different soil types, strategically using or removing material and ensuring proper compaction to create a stable, reliable sub-grade for any hardscape, lawn, or foundation that will be built upon it.
Why Choose Us?
There are many construction, landscaping, outdoor living, and design companies to choose from- here is what makes us different.
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Our Approach is Thorough and Integrated – As a design-build firm, we eliminate the gap between planning and execution, ensuring every project or service is assessed and delivered with maximum efficiency and zero oversights.
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The Team We Have is Experienced and Robust – Backed by a 25-year family legacy and a crew with up to 50 years of expertise, our team of long-term employees and trusted partners provides a level of craftsmanship that only comes from decades in the field.
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Industry-Leading Warranties and a Client for Life Guarantee – We provide warranties that far exceed state minimums. Our "Client for Life" commitment means we intend to stand by you, and our work, well beyond one project or its warranty. Our goal is to build a relationship, and become a trusted resource for you, year after year. We remain open to address issues, answer questions, assist with maintenance, or repairs, no matter what. Our business is relationship based, not transactional.
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Transparency and Consistent Communication – We keep you in control through complete education and daily updates. From the first call to the final walkthrough, we ensure all costs, options, and timelines are fully transparent.
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Commitment to Professional Responsibility and Top-Quality – We take full ownership of project or service management so you don't have to. Our focus is on delivering the highest feasible standard within your budget, supported by premium partners and a high-performance process.
Our Process
Of course, every project, service and every situation is different, and so is our approach. Below is a general and simplified outline of our process. We can also bid and build to your preexisting plan or design.
1.
Discovery/Consultation
We begin with a site-wide elevation survey to identify current drainage patterns and structural risks. We discuss your intent—whether it's preparing for a new build or correcting a swampy lawn—and assess soil stability. You’ll receive a rough estimate based on the cubic yardage and machinery required for the project.
2.
Design / Planning
During this phase, we value-engineer the "positive pitch" required to shed water safely away from your home’s foundation. We establish the cut-and-fill balance, plan for sub-grade compaction, and finalize project pricing. This resulting construction plan serves as the structural roadmap for every subsequent phase of your landscape.
3.
Construction / Service
Our operators execute the plan with precision, utilizing GPS-guided or laser-leveled machinery to establish the exact grade. We focus on mechanical compaction to prevent future settling of hardscapes or lawns. Expect an efficient, transparent experience as we move material and stabilize your site with total property respect.
What's the difference between excavation and grading?
Excavation is the process of moving earth, rock, or other materials with tools or equipment—essentially, digging and removing dirt. Grading is the process of leveling or sculpting the land to a desired slope or level, often to ensure proper drainage or create a flat base for a project.
FAQ's
Why is proper grading so important for a property?
Proper grading is crucial for directing water away from your home's foundation to prevent leaks and water damage. It also eliminates low spots where water can pool, creating a more stable and usable landscape for lawns, patios, and plantings.
What kind of projects require excavation?
Many projects start with excavation. This includes preparing for new home foundations, additions, septic systems, patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, swimming pools, and installing underground utilities or drainage systems.
Do I need a permit for excavation work in Connecticut?
It depends on the scope and location. Minor grading may not require a permit, but any significant earthmoving, especially projects near wetlands, watercourses, or property lines, almost always requires permits from local land use and conservation departments.
How do you protect the rest of my property during excavation?
We prioritize protecting your property by establishing clear work zones, using appropriate-sized machinery for the job, and laying down protective mats for equipment to travel on when necessary to minimize lawn damage. We discuss a specific site protection plan for every project.
4.
Walk-Thru, Clean-Up & Maintain
We perform a final pitch check to confirm water flow aligns with the engineered design. We’ll walk the site with you to point out critical drainage features and discuss maintenance—such as monitoring for erosion during heavy rain—confirming that the site is perfectly prepped for your next project.
Testimonials
Why is proper grading so important for a property?
Proper grading is crucial for directing water away from your home's foundation to prevent leaks and water damage. It also eliminates low spots where water can pool, creating a more stable and usable landscape for lawns, patios, and plantings.
How do you protect the rest of my property during excavation?
We prioritize protecting your property by establishing clear work zones, using appropriate-sized machinery for the job, and laying down protective mats for equipment to travel on when necessary to minimize lawn damage. We discuss a specific site protection plan for every project.
What kind of projects require excavation?
Many projects start with excavation. This includes preparing for new home foundations, additions, septic systems, patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, swimming pools, and installing underground utilities or drainage systems.
Do I need a permit for excavation work in Connecticut?
It depends on the scope and location. Minor grading may not require a permit, but any significant earthmoving, especially projects near wetlands, watercourses, or property lines, almost always requires permits from local land use and conservation departments.
What's the difference between excavation and grading?
Excavation is the process of moving earth, rock, or other materials with tools or equipment—essentially, digging and removing dirt. Grading is the process of leveling or sculpting the land to a desired slope or level, often to ensure proper drainage or create a flat base for a project.