Prepare Your Property for Construction
Before construction can begin, you need a stable, level site. Herbert Excavating provides expert excavation and site preparation services for residential and commercial projects in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re building a new home, adding an outbuilding, or developing a commercial property in Pennsylvania, we handle all grading, earthwork, and site prep to transform raw land into a construction-ready foundation.
We don’t just move dirt—we create the foundation for your project’s success. Our services ensure proper drainage, stable soil, level building pads, and site conditions that meet engineering and permitting requirements.
Grading & Earthwork
We move, level, and shape soil to create the terrain your project requires. Whether that’s a flat pad for a building, contoured land for drainage, or fill for low areas, we have the equipment to reshape your property.
Building Pad Preparation
We excavate and compact building pads that provide a stable base for foundations, slabs, and structures. Proper pad prep prevents settling, cracking, and future structural issues.
Cut & Fill Operations
We remove high spots and fill low spots to achieve the elevation and slope your project needs. This is essential for drainage, access, and meeting local grading codes.
Site Clearing & Debris Removal
If your property has leftover stumps, rocks, or construction debris, we clear it out so the site is clean and ready for the next phase.
Final Grading & Finish Work
Once the heavy excavation is complete, we fine-tune the grading to ensure water flows away from buildings, driveways have the right slope, and the site looks finished.
Who Needs Excavation Services?
New Home Construction
Preparing the site for a foundation, basement, or crawl space.
Commercial & Industrial Development
Grading large sites for warehouses, retail centers, parking lots, and infrastructure.
Additions & Outbuildings
Creating level pads for garages, barns, workshops, and accessory structures.
Driveway & Access Road Prep
Grading and preparing roadbeds for gravel or paved driveways.
Landscaping & Property Improvements
Reshaping land for better drainage, usability, or aesthetics.
Our Excavation Process
1. Site Evaluation
We walk the property to understand existing conditions, drainage patterns, and what needs to be done.
2. Planning & Layout
We mark boundaries, setbacks, and key elevations based on your plans or site requirements.
3. Excavation & Grading
We bring in excavators and bulldozers to dig, move earth, and shape the site according to the project specs.
4. Compaction & Stabilization
We compact fill areas and building pads to ensure a stable, solid base that won’t settle or shift.
5. Final Grading & Cleanup
We fine-tune slopes, remove debris, and leave the site ready for the next contractor or phase of construction.
Why Proper Site Work Matters
A lot of people think excavation is just digging a hole. It’s not. Proper site work ensures that water drains away from structures, foundations sit on stable soil, and the entire property functions the way it’s supposed to. Cut corners on site prep, and you’ll deal with flooding, cracking foundations, erosion, and expensive fixes later.
We’ve been doing this long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. We grade for drainage, compact properly, and follow engineering specs when they’re provided. The goal is to create a site that performs well for decades, not just passes inspection.
How Excavation Fits Into the Bigger Picture
Site work rarely happens on its own — it’s typically one phase of a project that involves clearing, utilities, foundations, and drainage all coming together in sequence. Having one contractor handle multiple phases keeps things moving and removes the coordination headaches that come with managing separate crews.
If your lot is wooded or overgrown, the ground needs to be cleared before grading can begin. Our Land Clearing & Forestry Mulching Services take care of trees, stumps, and brush — and once that’s done, we move directly into site prep without a gap between crews or a separate mobilization cost.
Underground utilities go in right after grading, and the sequence matters. Our Utility Trenching Services handle trenching for water lines, sewer connections, electrical conduit, and more — coordinated with your plumber and electrician so the work flows in the right order.
Foundation and septic excavation is often part of the same site prep scope. Rather than splitting that work between two contractors, our Septic Systems & Foundation Excavation service handles both the broader grading and the specific excavation your build requires — keeping the project under one point of contact. Grading decisions made now also determine how your property drains for the long term. If there are existing water challenges on the site or the topography creates drainage concerns, our Stormwater & Drainage Solutions can be incorporated into the site plan before final grade is set — when it’s easiest and most cost-effective to get it right.
Service Areas
We provide excavation and site work services in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Kingsley, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does site preparation take?
It varies depending on the size of the project and the condition of the land. A residential building pad might take a few days, while a larger commercial site could take weeks. We’ll give you a timeline based on your specific project.
Do I need engineering plans before you start?
It helps, but it’s not always required. If you have engineered grading plans, we’ll follow them exactly. If not, we can work with you to develop a grading plan based on what you’re building and local code requirements.
Can you work around existing utilities?
Yes, but we need to know where they are. Before we dig, you should have utilities marked through your local service. Once lines are flagged, we excavate carefully around them.
What do you do with excess dirt?
If there’s excess soil, we can either spread it elsewhere on your property, use it for fill in low areas, or haul it off-site if necessary. We’ll discuss options during the planning phase.
Do you compact the soil after grading?
Absolutely. Compaction is critical for building pads, driveways, and any area where structures or pavement will be installed. We use compaction equipment to ensure the soil is stable and won’t settle over time.
Can you handle both clearing and excavation?
Yes. That’s the benefit of working with us—we’re a one-stop shop. We can clear the land, remove stumps and debris, and then move right into grading and excavation without waiting on another contractor.
Let’s Talk About Your Project
If you need land graded, a building pad prepared, or a site excavated for construction, reach out. We’ll assess what needs to be done and give you a clear estimate.
📞 (570) 702-7679
📧 [email protected]
Free estimates available.