Excavation and sitework, built around Colorado terrain
Foundation excavation, site preparation, grading, trenching and drainage for new construction and existing properties across the Roaring Fork Valley. The same crews that dig the site build the landscape on top of it.
Sitework decides everything that comes after it. A foundation dug to the wrong elevation, a driveway built on uncompacted fill, a lot graded toward the house instead of away from it: those mistakes are expensive to fix and easy to make on a steep, rocky mountain site.
Ridgeline runs excavation as a core capability, not a sideline. Our crews handle structural excavation, clearing, grading, trenching and drainage on lots where access is tight, the ground is full of cobble and the season is short. Because we also build the finished landscape, we grade and trench with the end product in mind.
Builders and general contractors
A site contractor for foundation and basement digs, utility trenching, driveway prep and final grading, with the ability to stay on for the landscape.
Homeowners
Sitework for additions, garages, driveways, drainage corrections, septic systems and land clearing.
Developers and property managers
Site preparation, grading and drainage for lots, common areas and commercial sites.
What's included.
Site preparation
- Site clearing and grubbing
- Demolition and removal of hardscape, sheds, decks and small structures
- Erosion control: silt fence, wattles and SWPPP measures
- Access, staging and site protection
Structural excavation
- Foundation, basement and crawlspace excavation
- Pool excavation (dig only; shell and equipment by the pool contractor)
- Pond and water feature excavation
- Retaining wall excavation
Grading and earthwork
- Rough and finish grading
- Cut, fill and on-site soil movement
- Driveway grubbing, buildup and structural fill
- Compaction and material placement
- Material import and haul-off, with volume trucking coordinated through trucking subcontractors
Trenching and underground
- Utility trenching
- Irrigation mainline trenching
- Drainage lines, culverts and daylight outlets
- Conduit and sleeving
Rock and septic
- Boulder placement and rock work
- Septic system (OWTS) excavation and installation
How we scope it
Excavation scopes fall between trades more often than any other part of a project. We state ours plainly:
- Every excavation begins with a Colorado 811 locate. We call tickets in a full four business days ahead and do not dig on expired or obscured marks.
- Compaction testing, when specified, is performed by a third-party geotechnical firm.
- Pool excavation is the dig only. Shell, plumbing, equipment and decking belong to the pool contractor.
- Where rough grade ends and finish grade begins is rarely stated on a plan set. We define it in writing before we start.
- Small haul-off runs on our own single-axle dump truck. Larger volumes are priced with a trucking subcontractor and stated on the estimate either way.
Mountain conditions, accounted for.
Cobble, rock and fill
Valley-floor lots often sit on river cobble; hillside lots hit rock and old fill. We plan for what's actually in the ground and tell you how it affects cost and schedule.
Steep grades and access
Many Aspen, Snowmass and Missouri Heights lots have narrow drives, tight setbacks and neighbors close by. Equipment selection, staging and site protection are part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Frozen ground and weather
The dig season is shorter at elevation, and afternoon storms saturate open excavations. We sequence work to keep excavations open for as little time as possible.
Excavation & Sitework FAQ.
Do you do foundation excavation for new homes?
Yes. Foundation, basement and crawlspace excavation for new construction is a regular part of our work, along with utility trenching, driveway preparation and final grading on the same site.
How far in advance do you need to schedule?
It depends on the season and the size of the dig. A Colorado 811 locate needs at least four business days before we break ground, and larger projects are scheduled weeks ahead. Contact us early.
Can you haul material off site?
Yes. Small loads run on our own truck. Larger volumes are hauled by trucking subcontractors we coordinate, and the estimate states which is assumed.
Do you install septic systems?
Yes. Ridgeline holds onsite wastewater (OWTS) installer licensing and installs systems to an engineered design. See our septic page for details.
Start with the ground.
Tell us about the property and the scope. We'll review it and reach out about next steps.