Excavation Services in South East Queensland

Yes, without exception. We lodge a Dial Before You Dig request for every job, receive service location plans from all relevant authorities, and mark services on-site before any machine breaks ground. It is not optional — it is standard practice on every excavation we undertake.

When basalt, sandstone or hard rock formations are encountered, standard excavation machinery works very slowly or not at all. A rock breaker attachment is required, which increases both time and cost significantly. We assess rock likelihood at inspection — many SE QLD suburbs have known rock profiles — and include a rock-breaking rate in the quote where there is any realistic probability of encountering it. Rock surcharges are never added on the day without prior agreement.

Our smallest compact mini excavators can access through gaps of approximately 900mm — a standard suburban side gate. We confirm access at inspection and select equipment accordingly. Very tight access sites may require a combination of a compact machine and manual excavation, which we will advise on and quote upfront.

Yes. Compact mini excavators cause far less site disturbance than larger machines. We use rubber-tracked machines on sensitive surfaces and plan access routes to minimise damage to established lawn and plantings. We advise at inspection if there are areas requiring extra care.

A standard residential pool in normal soil conditions typically takes 1–2 days. If significant rock is present, it can extend to 3–5 days. We give a time estimate at the quoting stage so the pool installer can schedule accordingly and there are no timeline surprises.

Excavated material is loaded into tipper trucks and removed to a licensed disposal facility. Disposal cost is included in our written quote. Some clients want to retain fill for use elsewhere on their property — we can accommodate this if there is a suitable stockpile area on site.

Most residential excavation — pool holes, footing trenches, drainage trenches — does not require a separate excavation permit, though the pool construction or building work itself will have its own approval process. For excavation deeper than 1.5m adjacent to a boundary or structure, engineering advice may be required. We advise at inspection if your scope triggers any additional requirements.

In most residential situations, excavation adjacent to structures or boundaries exceeding 1.5m depth requires an engineer to assess batter angles and any shoring requirements. Pool excavations are typically within this range and managed without shoring. We flag any scope that approaches engineering territory at the quoting stage.

Yes. Trench excavation for water mains, stormwater drainage, sewer connections, electrical conduits and communications cables is a standard part of our work. We trench to the depth and width specified by the relevant trade and coordinate handover directly with the plumber, electrician or drainage contractor.

Vacuum excavation uses high-pressure water and suction to expose underground services without the risk of striking them with a metal bucket. We use it around known service locations — water mains, gas lines, power — where mechanical excavation within the service zone would be unsafe. It is slower and costs more than standard excavation but is the correct tool for potholing near live services.

Yes. We regularly work as the excavation subcontractor for pool builders, concretors and builders across SE QLD. We understand handover requirements and communicate directly with the next trade on timing and site readiness.

Yes. We hold $20M public liability insurance and QBCC licensing covering residential building-related excavation work across SE QLD.

Yes — for larger landscaping projects we offer a landscape design consultation where we discuss your goals, style preferences, budget, and maintenance expectations before any work begins. We provide concept plans and staged project options so you know exactly what you're getting. For smaller jobs like turf installation or garden maintenance, detailed design isn't necessary and we'll discuss your preferences on-site.

In Queensland's climate, we most commonly install Sir Walter Buffalo (excellent shade tolerance, soft underfoot), Zoysia (fine leaf, great for high-traffic areas), Kikuyu (fast growing, drought tolerant, suits sunny yards), and Couch (excellent for sports and active families). The best choice depends on your sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and intended use. We'll recommend the right variety during your consultation.

New turf needs to be watered 2–3 times daily for the first 2 weeks to establish roots. After that, reduce to daily watering for week 3, then every 2–3 days from week 4. Your first mow should be around 3–4 weeks after installation when the grass is firmly rooted. We'll give you a full aftercare guide with every turf installation.

Yes — we build timber sleeper and concrete block retaining walls for residential and commercial properties. Properly engineered and installed timber sleeper walls last 20–30 years. Concrete block walls have an even longer lifespan. All our retaining walls over 1m high are engineered and comply with Queensland council requirements. We obtain any necessary permits as part of our service.

Yes — we offer ongoing garden maintenance plans that can be tailored after a landscaping project or for any existing garden. Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly visits covering lawn mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, mulching, and seasonal planting. A well-maintained garden looks dramatically better and the investment in landscaping lasts much longer with regular care.

Yes — poor drainage is a very common Queensland problem, especially after heavy rain. We provide drainage solutions including surface channel drains, agricultural drains, dry creek beds, and reshaping of ground levels to direct water away from homes and structures. Fixing drainage also dramatically improves lawn health and reduces mosquito breeding. We assess drainage as part of any landscaping consultation.

A full garden makeover for a standard residential property typically takes 2–5 days. This includes clearing, soil preparation, edging, planting, mulching, and lawn work. Larger projects with retaining walls, paving, or irrigation can take 1–3 weeks. We always provide a clear timeline before starting.

Yes — we design and install automatic irrigation systems for lawns, garden beds, and vegetable gardens. A properly designed irrigation system saves water (often more than a manual watering routine), ensures consistent coverage, and can dramatically improve lawn and garden health in Queensland's dry seasons. We offer both in-ground pop-up systems and drip irrigation for garden beds.

In Southeast Queensland, the cooler dry months of April–September are ideal for most landscaping work — planting new gardens, laying turf, building structures, and major soil work. Summer (November–March) is fine for maintenance and some planting but the wet season can affect concrete pours and some installations. We work year-round and will advise on timing during your consultation.

We handle smaller tree and shrub removal as part of landscaping projects. For larger tree removal or trees near structures and power lines, we coordinate with licensed arborists. Stump grinding can be arranged as part of any job. We'll be upfront about what we can handle in-house versus what requires a specialist.