Excavation Services

Commercial excavation, hydro excavation, and site grading for organizations across Canada — planned and executed by one accountable crew.

How We Work

Excavation Done Right, From the First Cut

Altera Construction provides excavation services for commercial and organizational properties — from initial site clearing to final grade. Whether the scope calls for standard excavation, hydro excavation near active utilities, or grading ahead of paving, our crews plan the work before equipment ever touches the site.

We work directly with property owners, developers, and general contractors to keep excavation contractors, utility locates, and inspections coordinated on one schedule.

That includes multi-unit residential developments, warehouses, retail plazas, and municipal sites — anywhere a commercial excavation contractor needs to move earth safely and to spec.

We size crews and equipment to the scope rather than running every job the same way — a compact excavator crew for a tight urban lot looks very different from the equipment lineup for a multi-acre commercial development.

  • 01

    Plan — Define every detail before construction.

  • 02

    Build — Execute with precision and control.

  • 03

    Deliver — Finish strong. Built to last.

Completed projects

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Commercial Excavation Services

Our excavation company handles bulk excavation, trenching, and site grading for retail, industrial, and multi-unit commercial properties. Every excavation project starts with a site assessment and utility locate, so the scope is accurate before work begins. From there, we sequence clearing, bulk excavation, and grading so the site is ready for the next trade — utilities, foundations, or paving — without unplanned delays.

Pricing for excavation work is typically driven by volume of material moved, soil type, haul distance for spoil removal, and site access — which is why an accurate quote depends on a real site visit rather than plans alone.

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4.9 Google Rating

Excavation Overview

No two sites are the same — soil conditions, existing utilities, and access all shape how an excavation project is planned before the first cut is made.

That's why every quote starts with a site walk and a review of available records — as-built drawings, previous geotechnical reports, or utility maps — rather than a number pulled from square footage alone.

What Our Excavation Contractors Handle

Site excavation and grading — clearing and shaping a site to the elevations required for foundations, parking lots, or utility installation.

Hydro excavation — a non-destructive method using pressurized water and vacuum to safely expose utility lines and pipes without the risk of hitting them with a bucket.

Foundation excavation — precise excavation around footings and foundation walls for new commercial construction.

Trenching for underground utilities — excavation sized and shored to safely install sewer, water, and utility lines before backfill.

Site clearing — removing vegetation, debris, and obstructions before excavation equipment can safely access and work the site.

Backfill and compaction — properly compacting backfilled trenches and excavated areas so the ground doesn't settle unevenly once utilities, foundations, or pavement are in place.

Erosion and sediment control — silt fencing, sediment traps, and other measures required to keep excavated soil and runoff from leaving the site during clearing and grading.

Equipment mobilization — sizing and sequencing excavators, dump trucks, and compaction equipment to match the scope, so a small grading job isn't slowed down by oversized equipment or a large excavation isn't bottlenecked by undersized machinery.

Why Property Owners Choose Our Excavation Company

As an excavation company focused on commercial work, we plan around utility locates, permitting, and site access from day one — so excavation contractors, paving crews, and inspectors aren't waiting on each other.

We also coordinate directly with paving and underground utility crews so excavation, grading, and the trades that follow aren't waiting on each other — one of the practical advantages of working with a full-service site contractor instead of a standalone excavation company.

Ultimately, the goal on every excavation project is the same: leave the site exactly where the next trade needs it to be, on the schedule the project requires, with no surprises buried in the ground.

Working Directly With Your Excavation Contractor

Property owners and general contractors get a single point of contact for the excavation scope — not a dispatcher relaying messages between the office and the crew on site. That means faster answers when field conditions change, and one person accountable for how the excavation schedule lines up with everything else happening on the property.

We put that same excavation contractor in front of you at the quote stage, the site visit, and the walkthrough at the end — so the person who understood the site conditions on day one is still the person answering for the finished grade.

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

4.9 Star Rating

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Excavation Services

Everything you need to know before starting your next project with Altera Construction.

What does a commercial excavation project typically include?

Site assessment, utility locates, clearing, bulk excavation, and grading to the elevations your project needs — coordinated as one scope rather than separate site visits.

What is hydro excavation and when is it used?

Hydro excavation uses pressurized water and vacuum equipment to expose underground utilities without the risk of striking them, making it the safer choice near active gas, water, or electrical lines.

Do you handle excavation for both new builds and existing properties?

Yes — from ground-up excavation ahead of new construction to grading and utility trenching on properties already in use.

How do you avoid damaging existing utilities during excavation?

Every excavation project starts with utility locates and a review of existing site drawings before any equipment moves, and we use hydro excavation in higher-risk areas.

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.