Excavation for Albuquerque homes, additions and infill lots
Footings for a casita in Nob Hill, a basement in the Northeast Heights, a retaining-wall cut on a Westside slope: we dig to the plan's dimensions and deal with every load of dirt that comes out.
The same footing digs three different ways across town
On the Westside, off Coors and up on the Northwest Mesa, the ground is loose sand. It digs fast, but trench walls slough if they sit open too long, so we time the dig close to when forms and concrete are ready.
In the Northeast Heights and Foothills, the bucket runs into decomposed granite, buried boulders and caliche. Progress slows, and some cuts need a ripper or a hydraulic hammer before the excavator can finish the shape.
Down in the North Valley and South Valley, river silt is easy to move but holds water. A footing bottom that was firm on Monday can be soft after a storm, so we check it again before anyone pours.
Where your excavated dirt can go
Every hole produces spoil. We settle what happens to it before the dig, and it goes in the written quote.
| Option | When it makes sense |
|---|---|
| Spread on site | There is a low spot that needs raising and the soil is clean enough to use. |
| Stockpile for backfill | The same material will go back around the foundation once the walls are up. |
| Haul away | Tight city lots with no room for a pile, or rocky spoil you don't want left behind. |
| Import fill | The plan calls for raising grade, or the native soil is not suitable for backfill. |
Albuquerque digs we're called for most
Casita or garage behind an older home
Backyards near the university and in Nob Hill often have one gate and mature landscaping. A compact excavator gets in, and the spoil leaves by the load so the yard isn't buried.
Basement in the Northeast Heights
Digging down this far up the slope usually means rock. We plan for breaking and for a larger haul-off volume than a sandy Westside yard would produce.
Retaining-wall cut on a sloped lot
Foothills lots often need a cut into the hillside so a wall can hold the slope. We dig to the wall builder's layout and keep the cut stable until the wall goes in.
Crawlspace or basement for an infill home
Infill lots between existing houses leave little margin. We work from the builder's staking, watch neighboring fences and walls, and keep spoil off the street.
City drainage and dust rules reach your dig too
Spoil piles and backfill can't redirect stormwater onto a neighbor's property, and bigger projects inside the city may need an approved grading and drainage plan. Disturbing a larger area may also call for a fugitive dust control permit from the city's air quality program. We help you check what applies before we mobilize.
Book a walk-through for your Albuquerque project
Send the address and your plans if you have them. We'll look at access, ground and where the dirt can go, then put it all in writing.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (505) 578-0369.
From staking to backfill
- 1
Review the plans on site
We match the builder's or engineer's drawings to the staking and note anything the ground or access will complicate.
- 2
Request the 811 locate
We submit a New Mexico 811 request and wait for the marks, which takes a few working days.
- 3
Dig to grade and dimension
The excavation follows the stakes and the depth on the plan, with sides cut back or shored as the soil requires.
- 4
Backfill once the next trade is done
After walls or footings are in and approved, we return the stockpiled or imported fill and compact it in lifts.
Albuquerque excavation questions
Can you dig casita footings in a backyard reached only through a side gate?
Usually, yes. We measure the gate at the estimate and bring a compact excavator that fits. If nothing fits, we'll tell you before you sign anything.
Will a basement dig in the Northeast Heights need rock breaking?
Often. Decomposed granite, boulders and caliche are common up there. We look at the ground during the estimate and, when possible, test dig so the quote reflects what's actually below.
Who confirms the footing depth and layout?
Your builder or engineer sets them on the plans and staking, and inspections are typically part of the permitted building project. We dig to what's drawn and staked.
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Let's walk your property. The estimate is free.
We come out, look at the lot with you, and hand you a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.