Types of Site Excavation We Handle

We tackle all kinds of excavation work across Maryborough and the Fraser Coast. Every project’s different, but we’ve got the gear and experience to handle whatever your block throws at us.
Residential excavation covers house pads, granny flats, and home extensions. We level your site, set proper grades for drainage, and prep the ground so your slab goes down right. Pool excavations are big around here – we dig to exact specs, handle access issues, and make sure water drains away from your pool area, not toward your house.
Commercial projects need a different approach. We’re talking bigger equipment, tighter timelines, and stricter compliance. Warehouse pads, retail developments, medical centres – we coordinate with your builder and work around your schedule to minimise disruption.
Trenching and utility work comes up on most jobs. We dig trenches for plumbing, electrical conduits, septic systems, and stormwater pipes. Always call Dial Before You Dig first – hitting services costs everyone time and money.
Retaining wall footings need precision. We excavate to the right depth, compact properly, and create stable bases for your retaining walls. Get this wrong and your walls crack or lean within a year.
Driveway and access preparation involves cutting in driveways, creating vehicle access, and grading for proper runoff. We can handle steep blocks, tight spaces, and tricky access points that make other contractors nervous.
Every excavation starts with understanding your specific project. We assess the site, check soil conditions, plan drainage, and work out the most efficient approach before we fire up the machines.

Understanding Maryborough's Soil and Terrain
Maryborough soil doesn’t play by simple rules. We’ve dug hundreds of sites across the Fraser Coast, and what works in Granville might fail in Tinana. That local knowledge saves you headaches and money.
The clay soils around Maryborough are reactive – they expand when wet and shrink when dry. Your excavation needs to account for this movement, or you’ll see cracks in your concrete within the first wet season. We dig deeper in clay areas, compact in stages, and sometimes need to replace problem soil with better material.
Our Excavation Process from Start to Finish
We don’t just rock up and start digging. Every site excavation job follows a process that protects you and gets the job done right.
Site assessment happens first. We walk your property, check existing levels, identify problem areas, and spot potential issues before they become expensive surprises. We’re looking at access points, existing structures, vegetation that needs clearing, and where spoil needs to go.
Planning and permits come next. We coordinate with Fraser Coast Regional Council for any required permits, organise Dial Before You Dig searches, and plan around utility locations. Skip this step and you might be dealing with damaged services or council fines.
Clearing and preparation means removing vegetation, demolishing old concrete if needed, and setting up site controls for erosion and sediment. We mark boundaries, protect areas that need protecting, and establish safe working zones.
Excavation work uses the right equipment for your job. Small excavators for tight residential sites, larger machines for commercial work, bobcats for finish grading. We dig to specified depths, create proper batters on slopes, and handle spoil efficiently – removing it or redistributing it where useful.
Compaction and levelling might be the most important step. We compact in layers, use laser levelling for accuracy, and test compaction levels to meet engineering specs. Your concrete’s only as good as what sits underneath it.
Final inspection before handing over. We check levels, verify drainage falls, confirm compaction, and make sure the site’s ready for the next trade. You’ll know exactly what’s been done and why.

Why Choose TrueForm for Your Excavation
You’ve got options for excavation contractors around Maryborough. Here’s why property owners, builders, and developers keep calling us back.
Local experience means we’ve worked on sites from Hervey Bay to Howard, Tinana to Tiaro. We’ve dealt with every soil type, drainage challenge, and access problem the Fraser Coast throws at contractors. That experience saves you time and prevents costly mistakes.
Licensed and insured gives you protection. We carry full public liability insurance and workers compensation. You’re covered if something goes wrong, and council inspectors don’t question our work because we meet all Fraser Coast Regional Council requirements.
Equipment variety means we’re not trying to make one machine do every job. We bring the right gear for your specific site – whether that’s a compact excavator squeezing through a 900mm gate or a big machine moving 200 cubic meters in a day.
Honest pricing without surprise extras. We quote based on site assessment, explain what’s included, and stick to our price unless you change the scope. No hidden fees for “difficult access” or “unexpected conditions” that any experienced contractor should’ve spotted upfront.
Communication throughout keeps you informed. We show up when we say we will, return calls the same day, and explain what we’re doing and why. You’ll know the timeline, what’s happening each day, and when the next trade can start.
Clean worksites matter to us. We protect your property, minimise mess, and leave your site ready for construction – not looking like a bomb gone off.
Frequently Asked Questions About Site Excavation
How long does a typical residential excavation take?
Most house pad excavations take 2-4 days depending on size and soil conditions. Pool excavations usually wrap up in 1-2 days. Commercial sites vary widely – could be a week, could be a month. We’ll give you realistic timelines after assessing your specific site.
Do I need council permits for excavation work?
Depends on the scope. Major earthworks, anything affecting drainage, or work near boundaries usually needs approval from Fraser Coast Regional Council. We help you figure out what’s required and can coordinate the paperwork.
What happens if you hit rock?
We’ve got rock breaker attachments for our excavators. Adds time and some cost, but we handle it without subbing out to another contractor. If we spot potential rock during assessment, we’ll flag it upfront.
Can you work around existing trees?
Yes, within limits. We protect root zones, work carefully around established trees, and coordinate with arborists when needed. Some trees can’t be saved depending on excavation depth and proximity – we’ll be straight with you about what’s realistic.
What do you do with the excavated soil?
Depends on soil quality and your needs. Good soil gets reused for fill or spreading. Poor soil or excess material gets removed to approved disposal sites. We factor disposal costs into our quotes so there’s no surprises.
How do you handle wet weather?
Queensland weather doesn’t always cooperate. We monitor forecasts, protect open excavations, and sometimes need to pause work during heavy rain. Clay sites suffer most in wet conditions – we’d rather delay than create drainage problems trying to work in the mud.
Get Your Site Ready the Right Way
Site excavation sets up everything that comes after. Get it wrong and you’re dealing with drainage problems, cracked concrete, and expensive fixes for years. Get it right and your project starts on solid ground – literally.
We’ve prepared hundreds of sites across Maryborough and the Fraser Coast. Residential blocks in new subdivisions, renovation projects on established properties, commercial developments in the CBD, rural acreage work – we handle it all with the same attention to detail and local knowledge.
Your project deserves contractors who show up, do what they promise, and leave your site ready for construction. No excuses, no surprises, no coming back six months later to fix problems that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Ready to get started? Call us for a free quote and site assessment. We’ll walk your property, discuss your project, explain what needs doing, and give you a clear price. No obligation, no pressure – just honest advice from contractors who’ve been doing this work around Maryborough for years.
Phone us today or send through your project details. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours, usually same day. Whether you’re breaking ground next month or planning for next year, we’ll help you understand what proper site excavation involves and what it’ll cost.
Let’s get your site ready the right way – properly excavated, compacted, and graded so your concrete work lasts decades. That’s what we do, and we do it well.

