Excavation Questions, Answered

The easiest way is to fill out our online booking form or give us a call at (435) 623-1923. We'll ask about the scope of your project, your timeline, and the property location. For most residential projects, we can provide a ballpark estimate over the phone and then schedule a free on-site visit to finalize exact pricing. Commercial projects typically require a site visit first.

Excavation costs in Utah typically range from $1,500 to $10,000 or more depending on the scope. Factors that affect pricing include site accessibility, soil conditions, depth of excavation, volume of material to be moved, and whether rock removal is required. A simple residential foundation dig will cost less than a full commercial site development with grading, utilities, and retaining walls. KB Lewis provides free, detailed estimates so you know exactly what to expect before work begins.

Most excavation projects in Utah require permits, especially for foundation work, utility installation, grading that changes drainage patterns, and retaining walls over 4 feet. Requirements vary by municipality — what Lehi requires may be different from what Provo or Park City expects. KB Lewis can help guide you through the permitting process and coordinate with local building departments to ensure your project is fully compliant.

We recommend reaching out at least two to four weeks before you'd like work to begin. Spring and summer are our busiest seasons, so booking early helps secure your preferred dates. For time-sensitive projects, we do our best to accommodate urgent requests. Contact us and we'll let you know our current availability.

Timeline depends on project scale. A residential foundation dig typically takes one to three days. Grading and site preparation for a home lot usually runs two to five days. Larger commercial projects can take one to four weeks or more. Weather, soil conditions, and permitting can all affect scheduling. KB Lewis provides a detailed timeline estimate before every project begins so you can plan around it.

We operate a late-model fleet that includes excavators, bulldozers, skid steers, compactors, dump trucks, and grading equipment. Every machine is maintained to peak performance standards. For each project, we select the right combination of equipment based on site access, soil type, and the scope of work. This means faster completion times and less disruption to your property.

Yes. KB Lewis performs excavation work year-round in Utah. Winter projects require additional planning for frozen ground conditions, but modern equipment and experienced operators allow us to complete projects safely even in cold months. Some projects actually benefit from winter scheduling due to lower demand and drier conditions in certain areas.

Rock is a reality of excavation in many parts of Utah, especially along the Wasatch Front and in mountainous areas. If we encounter rock, we assess whether it can be removed with our heavy equipment or if specialized rock breaking or blasting is needed. We always communicate with you before proceeding with any additional work, and any cost adjustments are discussed upfront.

Boulder retaining walls use natural stone and offer a rugged, organic aesthetic that blends with Utah's mountain landscape. They are ideal for slopes and large-scale earth retention. Block retaining walls use manufactured concrete blocks and provide a clean, uniform appearance suited for structural applications and tighter spaces. Both types are structurally effective — the choice depends on your budget, aesthetic goals, and the specific conditions of your site.

Retaining walls under four feet generally don't require engineering. Walls between four and six feet typically need engineering approval, and walls over six feet usually require a stamped engineered design. For very tall retention needs, we often build terraced walls — multiple shorter walls in a stair-step pattern — which provides excellent structural performance and a striking visual effect. We'll recommend the best approach based on your site's grade and soil.

A properly constructed retaining wall should last 50 years or more. The key factors are quality of materials, proper drainage behind the wall, appropriate base preparation, and correct backfill compaction. KB Lewis builds retaining walls to exceed structural requirements, and our workmanship is backed by a one-year warranty covering settlement and material issues.

KB Lewis Excavation serves communities across the Wasatch Front and beyond, including Salt Lake City, Park City, Utah County, Provo, Orem, Lehi, Draper, Sandy, American Fork, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Heber City, and surrounding areas. Contact us to confirm service availability for your specific location.

Yes. KB Lewis is fully licensed and insured for excavation and site development work in the state of Utah. We carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. We're happy to provide proof of insurance upon request — most general contractors and project managers require this, and we have it ready to go.

Yes. All KB Lewis excavation work is backed by a one-year workmanship warranty. This covers issues like soil settlement, compaction concerns, and material defects in retaining wall construction. If something isn't right, we come back and make it right. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with every client, and standing behind our work is a big part of that.

Absolutely. We regularly work on residential foundations, backyard retaining walls, and driveway grading alongside large-scale commercial site development, subdivision infrastructure, and municipal utility projects. Our fleet and crew can scale to match the demands of any project, from a single-lot home build to multi-acre commercial developments.