Frequently Asked Questions
General & Service Area
What services does Raleigh Excavation provide?
Full-service land clearing, grubbing, grading, driveways/pads, drainage/erosion control, and site prep for residential and commercial projects in the Raleigh area.
Which areas do you serve around Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, Wake County and nearby: Cary, Apex, Garner, Knightdale, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Clayton, and more.
Do you handle both residential and commercial land clearing?
Yes—homes, infill lots, small subdivisions, retail pads, and light industrial site prep in and around Raleigh.
Are you a licensed and insured excavation contractor in Raleigh?
Yes—fully insured with general liability and equipment coverage; licensing as required by project scope and municipality.
Can you coordinate with my builder or surveyor?
Absolutely. We align clearing limits, grades, benchmarks, and access with your builder, surveyor, or engineer.
How soon can you visit my property?
Most site walks within 2–5 business days, depending on schedule and weather.
Estimates & Pricing
How do I get a land clearing estimate in Raleigh?
Share address, scope, photos/video, and desired timeline. We follow with a free site evaluation and written estimate.
What factors influence the cost of land clearing?
Acreage, vegetation density, tree size/species, slope, access, debris plan, utilities, and erosion controls.
Do you offer firm, line-item quotes?
Yes—clear line items for clearing, grubbing, debris handling, grading, and any add-ons.
Can you work within a budget cap?
Yes. We can structure phased or per-acre pricing and prioritize high-impact tasks.
Do you charge for mobilization or minimums?
Projects include mobilization; small jobs may have a minimum day rate.
Is there a fee for estimates in the Raleigh area?
No—estimates and site walks are free.
Process & Procedures
What is your step-by-step land clearing process?
Scope → utility locate → site walk → estimate → schedule → mobilize → clear → grub → debris handling → grading → walkthrough.
What do you need from me before work starts?
Property access, clearing limits, debris preference, utility locate confirmation, and any HOA/municipal requirements.
How do you mark clearing and tree-save areas?
We flag boundaries, paint tree-save trees, and set equipment exclusion zones.
Do you call 811 for utility locates?
We ensure 811 utility locate is completed/valid before digging or stump removal.
How do you protect lawns, driveways, and curbs?
Use mats/plywood, track-out control, and equipment staging plans to minimize surface damage.
What does the final walkthrough include?
Confirm scope completion, grade tolerance, debris removal, and punch-list items.
Will I receive before/after photos or a report?
Yes—photo documentation on request for your builder, HOA, or lender.
Timelines & Scheduling
How long does typical Raleigh land clearing take?
Small residential clears: 1–2 days; larger/denser parcels: several days.
How far out are you booking?
Usually 1–3 weeks out; weather or large projects may extend schedules.
Can you work to a builder’s critical path?
Yes—coordinate start/finish to align with survey, foundation, or utility dates.
Do you work in light rain?
We work when safe and non-damaging; heavy rain or saturated soils may pause work.
How do weather delays get handled?
We communicate daily, re-sequence tasks, and extend dates only as needed.
Land Clearing & Brush Removal
What land clearing methods do you use?
Excavator with grapple, dozer, forestry mulcher, chainsaws, and skid-steers as needed.
Can you selectively clear and keep certain trees?
Yes—selective clearing with tree-save marking and buffer protection.
Do you remove bamboo, kudzu, or invasive brush?
Yes—cut, extract roots where feasible, and dispose; follow-up control may be recommended.
Can you clear fence lines and overgrown lots?
Yes—brush cutting, small tree removal, and access creation for neglected parcels.
Do you offer forestry mulching in Raleigh?
Yes—mulching for underbrush and smaller trees to create access and reduce debris hauling.
Will mulching alone prepare my site for building?
Mulching reduces surface growth but does not remove stumps/roots; grubbing is needed for build-ready pad.
Can you clear near creeks or buffers?
We follow local buffer rules; we’ll advise on setbacks and tree protection.
Stump & Root Removal (Grubbing)
What’s included in grubbing?
Remove stumps/roots/rocks, backfill, compact, and rough grade.
Do you fully remove stumps or grind them?
For building areas we extract stumps; in non-structural zones we can grind if appropriate.
How deep do you remove stumps/roots?
Typically to below planned subgrade, based on soil and engineering needs.
What if a stump is near utilities?
We hand-expose and work with spotting to avoid lines; alternate methods if needed.
Will grubbing cause settling?
We backfill in lifts and compact to reduce settlement risk.
Grading & Site Prep
Do you offer rough and final grading in Raleigh?
Yes—rough grade after clearing and final grade to plan or drainage targets.
What grade tolerances do you hold?
Residential: typically ±0.1–0.2 ft; commercial per plan specs.
Can you build a house pad or shop pad?
Yes—pad build-up, compaction, and proof-rolling as required.
Will you bring in/import fill?
Yes—import, place, and compact suitable fill; we avoid unsuitable soils.
Can you correct low spots or drainage issues while grading?
Yes—regrade swales, ditches, and positive fall away from structures.
Do you provide as-built elevations?
On request—we coordinate survey/as-builts with your surveyor.
Driveways, Pads & Access
Can you install a gravel construction driveway in Raleigh?
Yes—geotextile, base stone, top stone, and track-out control as needed.
Do you build permanent gravel or crushed concrete driveways?
Yes—base prep, compaction, and materials per county specs.
Can you widen/straighten an existing driveway for equipment access?
Yes—trim trees/brush, add base, and grade for safe access.
Do you pour concrete pads or just prep?
We prep pads; we can coordinate with your concrete contractor if pouring is required.
Will heavy equipment damage my driveway?
We protect with mats and plan access; minor scuffs possible on older surfaces.
Erosion Control & Drainage
Do you install silt fence and inlet protection?
Yes—silt fence, wattles, inlet bags, and maintenance during the project.
Can you add swales, ditches, or berms for drainage?
Yes—regrade and shape to direct water safely.
Do you install French drains or dry wells?
We handle trench, stone, fabric, pipe; final design per site conditions.
How do you control sediment track-out onto roads?
Use construction entrances, street sweeping, and daily cleanup.
Do you seed/straw after grading?
Yes—seed, straw, or hydroseed to stabilize disturbed areas.
Utilities, Permits & Compliance
Do I need a permit for land clearing in Raleigh?
Depends on municipality, acreage, buffers, and tree ordinance; we’ll advise.
Who schedules 811 utility locates?
We confirm an active 811 ticket before excavation or stump removal.
Can you clear within city tree protection zones?
We follow Raleigh tree-save and buffer rules and mark exclusion areas.
Do you handle soil/compaction testing if required?
Yes—coordinate proof-rolls and density tests through third parties.
Will you handle erosion control inspections?
We install per best practices and support owner/GC for inspections.
Debris Handling & Disposal
What are my options for debris?
Mulch on site, chip/haul, log removal, or mixed debris disposal—we’ll price each.
Can you leave chips for landscaping or trails?
Yes—leave windrows/piles or spread per your direction.
Do you recycle wood or brush?
Where feasible—recycling or biomass facilities; otherwise proper disposal.
Is burning allowed in Raleigh?
Open burning is restricted; we typically mulch or haul instead.
Equipment, Access & Site Conditions
What equipment do you use for Raleigh land clearing?
Excavators, dozers, skid-steers, mulchers, dump trucks, and compactors.
What site access do you need?
10–12 ft wide access path preferred; tighter sites may require smaller machines.
Can you work on steep or wet ground?
Yes—machine selection, mats, and sequencing to manage slopes and soft soils.
Will you mark underground features like septic or wells?
We request as-builts/locations and treat unverified zones with caution and hand-digging.
Environmental & Tree Protection
How do you protect trees to remain?
Tree-save fencing, root zone avoidance, and no-stockpiling within drip lines.
Do you handle buffer/streamside restrictions?
Yes—flag buffers, use low-impact methods, and maintain sediment controls.
Can you preserve topsoil for reuse?
Yes—strip, stockpile, and respread topsoil where practical.
Do you control dust and noise on site?
Yes—water trucks, speed limits, and hours compliant with local ordinances.
Safety, Insurance & Warranty
What safety standards do you follow?
Daily tailgate talks, PPE, spotters, equipment checks, and utility clearance.
Are you insured for land clearing and excavation work?
Yes—general liability, equipment, and auto coverage appropriate to scope.
Do you warranty your work?
Yes—workmanship warranty for defined scope; materials per manufacturer/plant.