Homeowner guide
Excavation in Montreal: how to prepare before we dig
For an addition, pool, shed or garage, excavation usually takes 1 to 5 working days depending on depth and yard access. The golden rule: confirm buried services and soil stability before the first bucket-load.
When you need it
The signs to watch for
- You are adding an extension, garage, shed or in-ground pool
- Your current foundation is leaning, cracking or settling
- You are changing or extending a water or sewer line
- You want to finish a basement after perimeter excavation
- The lot slope is sending water toward the house
How we work
Step by step
- 01We confirm the work objective, property limits and sensitive areas around the site.
- 02We check machine access, slope, obstacles, trees, fences and surfaces that need protection.
- 03We pull the Info-Excavation report to locate buried services (gas, electric, telecom, water).
- 04We plan the excavation sequence with a clean staging area for soil and debris.
- 05We excavate in controlled layers, monitoring soil, water, nearby structures and visible services.
- 06We validate dimensions, depth and slope before handing the site to the next step.
Cost and time
What affects price and timeline
Every job is different. Here are the concrete factors that move the estimate up or down. The fast quote tool accounts for these points.
What affects the price
- Depth required (footing depth vs in-ground pool vs simple shed pad)
- Volume of soil to remove and dispose of — every cubic metre costs to truck out
- Yard access for equipment (open lot vs narrow yard with fence to take down)
- Soil type uncovered (loose soil vs clay vs bedrock — rock blows up the timeline)
- Existing services to protect or relocate (pipes, wires, drains, mature trees)
What affects the timeline
- 1 to 2 days for a small shed pad or standard in-ground pool
- 3 to 5 days for an addition foundation footprint
- 1 to 2 weeks for a major excavation (double garage, full new foundation)
- Season: April to November — no deep excavation while the ground is frozen
Your side
What you prepare for us
- Wide photos of yard access and the excavation area
- Mention any known pipe, pit, drain, wire or previous repair
- Move vehicles, outdoor furniture and fragile items before the crew arrives
Our rules
What we will never do
- Dig without a current Info-Excavation report
- Excavate next to an existing foundation without shoring
- Leave an open excavation overnight without fencing and signage
- Work under heavy rain that turns the soil unstable
The result
What you end up with
- Pit or trench at the exact dimensions for the next step
- Stable soil and base ready for foundation, slab or drain
- Buried services identified and protected, documentation handed over
- Site cleaned and secured
Frequent questions
Your answers
Do I need a permit for residential excavation?
For most excavations tied to an extension, in-ground pool or new concrete slab, a municipal permit is required. For a like-for-like French drain replacement, usually no. We check with your borough before starting.
What is Info-Excavation and why is it required?
Info-Excavation is the service that locates gas, electric, telecom and water lines buried on your lot, free of charge. It is mandatory in Quebec and the request must be filed at least 3 working days before any digging. We handle the request for you.
Will my landscaping get damaged?
We only excavate the strip needed. Nearby trees, shrubs and plants are identified beforehand and either transplanted or protected. Grass does not replant — plan on reseeding after the work if equipment had to drive across it.
What if you hit bedrock?
In Quebec, bedrock often appears at 1 to 3 metres depending on the area. If we find it, we stop, evaluate the plan B with you (adjust depth, break the rock with a hydraulic hammer, or shift position). Any additional cost is documented before extra work starts.
Can you excavate in winter?
Once the ground freezes deep, no — equipment struggles and costs climb. The working season runs April to November. For a winter emergency, we evaluate case by case.
What is the warranty on excavation?
Our work is guaranteed against execution defects (dimensions, depth, drainage). The warranty on what is built on top — foundation, slab, drain — depends on the chosen tier. RBQ 5825-9060-01, APCHQ member.
See also
Other A1 methods
French drain
If you see humidity, cracks or white stains on your basement walls, the French drain around your foundation has probably stopped draining water properly. Replacing it usually takes 3 to 7 working days, depending on yard access.
Read the guide
Concrete slab
An early-cracking slab almost always has a base problem, not a concrete problem. A standard residential pour is 1 to 2 days plus 7 days curing before walking and 28 days before heavy vehicles. Done right, a Quebec slab lasts 30 years or more.
Read the guideYour next step