What Is a Trench Drain?
Standing water on a commercial lot or loading dock is more than a nuisance — it's a liability. Here's how trench drains work, where they're required, and what goes into a proper installation.
Blog
Practical guides on excavation, underground utilities, and paving for commercial property owners and developers.
Asphalt Repair vs. Resurfacing
Cracks, potholes, and fading paint don't always mean a full repaving job. We break down when a patch or overlay is enough, and when resurfacing is the smarter long-term investment.
Commercial Excavation Services
From site assessment to grading and utility trenching, here's what a commercial excavation scope typically covers — and what to ask a contractor before work begins.
Service Areas
Proudly Serving
Calgary & Area
Based in Calgary, our crews take on commercial excavation, utility, paving, and land development projects throughout Southern and Central Alberta.
Calgary
- Downtown
- Beltline
- Inglewood
- Kensington
- Bridgeland
- Sunalta
- NW Calgary
- NE Calgary
- SE Calgary
Calgary Metro
- Airdrie
- Cochrane
- Chestermere
- Okotoks
- High River
- Strathmore
- Crossfield
- Irricana
- Langdon
Southern Alberta
- Red Deer
- Lethbridge
- Medicine Hat
- Canmore
- Olds
- Innisfail
- Brooks
- Taber
- Claresholm
FAQ
FAQs About Commercial Site Services
Everything you need to know before starting your next project with Altera Construction.
How often should a commercial parking lot be resurfaced?
It depends on traffic and climate, but most commercial lots need sealcoating every few years and a full resurfacing roughly every 15-20 years — sooner if drainage or base issues speed up wear.
Do I need a permit for underground utility work?
Most sewer, storm drain, and utility installation work requires permits and utility locates before excavation begins — your contractor should confirm requirements as part of the project plan.
What's the difference between excavation and grading?
Excavation removes soil and material to reach a required depth or clear a site, while grading shapes and levels the remaining ground to the elevations needed for drainage and construction.
Can these topics apply to my specific site?
These guides cover general principles — for advice specific to your property, reach out and our team can walk through your site conditions directly.
What makes Altera Construction different?
We focus specifically on commercial site work rather than general residential construction, which means our crews, equipment, and planning are built around the needs of organizations and developers.