Frequently Asked Questions

HomeBlue's Buffalo estimates put a machine with operator at about $180 to $320 an hour, roughly $1,500 to $2,600 for a full day, plus $400 to $600 or more per truckload of dirt hauled away. Nationally, HomeAdvisor reports most excavation jobs landing between $1,659 and $6,713. Access, soil and hauling change the number, so we quote after a visit.

Yes, for urgent work like a broken water or sewer line. Frozen ground adds machine time, and with 95.4 inches of snow a year on average, site access matters too. Grading and finish work are best left to spring through fall.

Snowmelt on frozen or clay soil has nowhere to soak in, and flat lots do not shed it. Regrading, swales and a French drain to a real outlet usually fix it. We look at where the water can legally go.

It can be. Parts of Amherst on the old Lake Tonawanda bed have a history of sinking homes and collapsing foundations. For new foundations in areas like that, we recommend a soil evaluation before design.

Yes. New York requires notice to Dig Safely New York before excavation. When we do the work, we file the request and wait for marks.

We tell you what your town or village requires and handle the paperwork that falls to the contractor. Utilities must be disconnected before any building comes down.

HomeGuide lists exterior French drains at $10 to $35 per linear foot, so a 100-foot yard drain runs roughly $1,000 to $3,500. Deeper footing drains cost more.

A common guideline is at least 6 inches of fall over the first 10 feet from a foundation. Flat Buffalo lots often need swales to carry water the rest of the way.

Once the frost is out and the soil has dried enough to compact. Wet clay should not be graded.

If water is coming from surface runoff against the walls, often yes. If it is coming up through the floor, it may need a drain or interior system as well.

Yes, when the existing topsoil is not enough to finish the grade.

Below the frost depth set by the building code and your building department. We dig to the approved plans.

We pump it and protect the bottom so footings go on firm, undisturbed soil.

In areas with known soil problems, such as parts of Amherst on the old lakebed, a soil evaluation before design is wise.

We do, after walls cure and waterproofing and drains are in.

Below frost, as set by your water authority and code. We dig to that depth.

Loose backfill settles, especially after freeze-thaw. We compact in lifts to prevent it.

Yes, with permits and restoration.

Yes, for urgent breaks. Frost adds time and cost.

Yes, because it carries water away rather than relying on the clay to absorb it. The outlet is what makes it work.

To a ditch, the street, a permitted storm connection or a dry well sized for slow soil. We check what your municipality allows.

Yard drains are often 18 to 24 inches deep; drains that protect a foundation go deeper.

The deeper parts rarely freeze, and water moves again once the ground thaws. A good outlet that does not ice over helps.

Small clearing usually does not, but wetlands and larger disturbances can require approvals. We point out anything that looks like it needs checking.

Pulled under anything built, ground in lawns.

Yes. We cut and stack it where you want.

Roughly $1,200 to $8,000 an acre by HomeGuide's numbers, depending on how thick it is.

Usually. Buffalo and most surrounding towns require one for buildings. We check for your address.

Older materials may need testing and licensed removal before demolition.

Clean concrete usually goes to a recycler.

Filling in saves money; pulling the whole pool out leaves buildable ground. We explain the tradeoffs.