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You can excavate in winter, but frozen soil slows down the process and increases labor costs. Many grading companies offer discounted rates during their off-season, so ask for a winter quote and weigh the savings against a longer timeline. A brief conversation with a local professional will help determine whether cold-weather excavation is suitable for your site.

Foundation digs can be completed in as little as three days or take up to three weeks. Soil density, access, weather, and hidden obstacles all play a role, so every timeline is a bit different. Have your contractor walk the site and flag any potential issues early—clear expectations help keep both the schedule and budget on track.

You must always call 811 before excavating. Dial 811 a few days in advance so that utility crews can mark underground lines and ensure the area is safe for digging. Hitting a buried cable or gas pipe can be both dangerous and expensive, and many municipalities will not issue permits unless the site is flagged correctly.

To remove soil during an excavation project, your crew will load the spoil into dump trucks with a backhoe or excavator, haul it to a disposal site, and return for the next load. Efficient hauling keeps the work zone clear and the project moving. Depending on the site and volume of osil, multiple trucks may rotate to maintain a steady flow.