Earthwork & Excavation Plano
Professional earthwork and excavation services throughout Plano and Collin County. We coordinate site preparation, grading, utility trenching, and earthwork for commercial construction with experienced contractors who understand North Texas soil conditions and building requirements. From rough grading to foundation excavation, we connect your Plano property with qualified earthwork professionals.
Earthwork forms the foundation for all successful construction projects. In Plano, where expansive clay soils create unique challenges, proper earthwork is essential for preventing costly foundation problems, drainage issues, and structural failures. Our network includes experienced earthwork contractors who coordinate with geotechnical engineers, handle complex permitting requirements, and deliver quality site preparation that supports long-term building performance.
Whether preparing a commercial site for new construction, excavating foundations for retail buildings, or installing underground utilities for industrial facilities, we connect Plano property owners with earthwork professionals who understand local soil conditions, environmental regulations, and the technical requirements of commercial construction.
Poor earthwork can lead to foundation settlement, drainage problems, and structural issues that cost tens of thousands to repair. In Plano's expansive clay soils, proper grading, compaction, and drainage are essential for building stability. Quality earthwork prevents future problems and ensures your commercial investment is built on a solid foundation.
Service Offerings
Complete site preparation for commercial construction projects
Includes:
Excavation for underground utilities and infrastructure
Includes:
Precise excavation for building foundations
Includes:
Large-scale earth movement for site development
Includes:
Equipment & Technology
Hydraulic excavators for digging and loading
Sizes
Mini-excavators (2-5 ton), mid-size (10-20 ton), large (30-50+ ton)
Applications
Trenching, foundation excavation, loading trucks, demolition
Capacity: Dig depths to 30+ feet, lift capacities 5,000-50,000+ lbs
Caterpillar dozers for grading and pushing
Sizes
D6-D8 class dozers, crawler and wheeled
Applications
Rough grading, site preparation, pushing soil, compacting
Capacity: Operating weights 20,000-80,000 lbs, blade capacities 5-15 cubic yards
Fine grading equipment with adjustable blade
Sizes
Road graders with 12-16 foot moldboards
Applications
Fine grading, road construction, finish grading
Capacity: Grade accuracy within 0.1%, speeds up to 30 mph
Soil and asphalt compaction equipment
Sizes
Smooth drum rollers, padfoot rollers, plate compactors
Applications
Subgrade compaction, base course compaction, asphalt compaction
Capacity: Compaction forces 10,000-50,000 lbs, frequencies 30-60 Hz
Local Expertise
Impact
North Texas clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, causing foundation movement and structural issues
Solution
Geotechnical investigation identifies soil type and expansion potential. Over-excavation and replacement with engineered fill provides stable foundation. Moisture conditioning during grading prevents soil expansion. Compaction testing ensures proper density. Understanding Plano soil conditions prevents costly foundation problems—expansive clay can lift buildings several inches.
Impact
Plano requires strict stormwater management for all commercial sites
Solution
All earthwork includes erosion control measures: silt fencing, sediment ponds, stabilized construction entrances. Grading designs positive drainage to storm inlets. Permit applications include stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). Final grading certified by licensed surveyor. Proper stormwater management prevents fines and ensures compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements.
Impact
Underground utilities complicate excavation and require careful coordination
Solution
Call 811 for utility locating 48-72 hours before excavation. Private utility locating through service providers. Hand digging near known utilities. Emergency response plans for utility strikes. Coordination with utility companies for relocations. Experienced operators understand utility depths and safety requirements. Proper coordination prevents service interruptions and safety incidents.
Impact
Earthwork must comply with environmental protection regulations
Solution
Dust control measures during dry conditions. Spill prevention plans for equipment. Protected tree and vegetation management. Endangered species coordination for larger sites. Soil erosion control during construction. Compliance with Clean Water Act requirements. Environmental permitting through appropriate agencies. Proper environmental practices protect natural resources and prevent costly violations.
Earthwork FAQs
Commercial earthwork in Plano requires multiple permits. Site development permit from City of Plano covers grading, drainage, and stormwater. TCEQ stormwater permit (construction general permit) for sites over 1 acre disturbing soil. Utility locates through 811 system. Demolition permit if structures removed. Erosion control permit. Permit applications require site plan, grading plan, drainage design, and SWPPP. Typical approval 2-4 weeks. We handle all permitting coordination. Non-permitted work creates liability and stop-work orders.
Expansive clay soils are major challenge in Plano earthwork. We conduct geotechnical investigation to identify soil type and expansion potential (Plano typically CH classification with PI 35-55). Over-excavation and replacement with engineered fill (crushed stone or select fill) provides stable foundation. Moisture conditioning during grading prevents swelling. Compaction testing ensures proper density. Soil modification with lime or cement stabilizers reduces expansion. Understanding local soil conditions prevents foundation movement and structural damage.
Equipment selection depends on project scope. Small sites use mini-excavators and skid steers. Commercial projects use mid-size excavators (20-30 ton), dozers, motor graders, and compaction rollers. Large earthwork projects use scrapers and large dozers. GPS-guided equipment for precise grading. Safety equipment includes trench boxes, spotters, and rollover protection. All operators licensed and experienced. Equipment maintained to prevent breakdowns. Proper equipment selection ensures efficient, safe, and accurate earthwork.
Erosion control critical for Plano earthwork. We implement silt fencing around site perimeter. Sediment ponds for runoff collection. Stabilized construction entrances prevent mud tracking. Temporary seeding or mulch on exposed soil. Erosion control blankets on slopes. Storm drain protection. Regular site inspections. Compliance with NPDES construction general permit. Proper erosion control prevents fines, protects water quality, and maintains good relations with neighboring properties.
Timeline varies by site size and complexity. Small commercial sites (under 1 acre) typically 2-4 weeks for complete earthwork. Medium sites (1-5 acres) 4-8 weeks. Large sites (over 5 acres) 8-16 weeks. Demolition adds 1-2 weeks. Utility coordination takes 2-4 weeks. Weather delays common—wet weather stops grading. Sequencing important: rough grading first, then utilities, then fine grading. Realistic scheduling accounts for weather and coordination requirements. We provide detailed project schedules with milestones.
Precision Concrete
Talk with our project managers about tilt-wall builds, structural foundations, and site paving. We mobilize fast and deliver commercial-grade concrete that holds up to the toughest specs.