Excavation Contractors in Amherst, NY

Excavation contractors in Amherst need to know about the soil before anything else. Much of the town was originally floodplain and marshland, and some northern and eastern areas have had residential foundations collapse because of unstable soil. The town sits partly on the bed of Glacial Lake Tonawanda, which covered the land south of the Niagara Escarpment about 10,000 years ago, and homes sinking in that former lakebed have been an ongoing problem.

What that means for a project

For additions, new garages, large patios and pools in the affected areas, we strongly suggest a soil evaluation before design. For drainage and grading, we avoid adding heavy fill where it can load soft soil, and we keep water from saturating the ground near foundations. If we see signs of movement during a dig, such as cracking, soft pockets or unusual settlement, we stop and talk with you.

Biggest suburb, fast growth

Amherst grew from 31,407 residents in 1950 to 90,734 in 1970 and reached 129,595 in 2020, the most of any Buffalo suburb. That growth spread across both stable and difficult ground.

Creeks and canal

Ellicott Creek flows through the town, and Tonawanda Creek forms part of the northern border, where Amherst meets a section of the Erie Canal. Lots near either creek can have high groundwater and floodplain limits.

Planning an Amherst job

The first question for any foundation-related project in Amherst is where the property sits relative to the areas with known soil problems. Southern Amherst near Buffalo, including Eggertsville and Snyder, is older and denser; the northern and eastern parts of town are where marsh and lakebed soils have caused trouble. For drainage and lateral work, soil history matters less, but we still avoid loading soft ground with heavy fill.

Many neighborhoods, one town

Amherst includes the village of Williamsville and hamlets such as Eggertsville, Snyder and Getzville. Permits run through the Town of Amherst except inside the village, which has its own rules.

Common Amherst jobs

• Drainage and regrading
• Foundation and addition digs, with soil checks
• Lateral replacement
• Pool and patio excavation

Call (716) 621-2308 or

Get a Free Estimate

.