Planning your timeline for a construction job involves a lot of moving pieces. One of the first steps in the construction process is often excavation. This will set up the property for the foundation of your building and is a necessary step no matter what type of foundation you’ll require. The question many people have come to ask is, how long does it really take to excavate a construction site? 

 

Read this brief and informative guide to help you figure out how much time to budget for during an excavation process: 

 

What Exactly Is Excavation? 

Many people are a bit confused about what excavation actually is and how long it should reasonably be expected to take. The term “excavation” typically refers to the process of removing earth in preparation for building. It can include tunneling or trenching, but it is most often the process of removing earth, rocks, and other materials to make way for a new building. 

 

Excavation requires an approved plan before you can start the heavy lifting of moving earth and rock to form the foundation of a new building. Construction professionals can help account for corner benchmarks, surveying the ground, and other important factors involved in a construction site. Always leave this work to the professionals to ensure the long-term success of your building. 

 

How Long Should Excavation Take? 

Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, you want construction to move along at a nice clip so that you can get into your building as soon as possible. How long can you reasonably expect this phase of construction to last? Once you figure that out, it can help you build a timeline for the rest of your project. 

 

Under ideal circumstances and depending on the size of the site, your construction crew may be able to finish excavating within just three to four days. If something goes wrong such as bad weather, or if you have a very large area that needs work, then it may take up to three weeks to finish excavating. 

 

What can cause delays that result in a longer timeframe? First, you may have less than ideal soil as you start digging. If you are building in an area that has lots of clay, it is common for excavators to get stuck in this clay, extending the amount of time it can take to finish the job. 

 

Second, you may have a harder time excavating if the soil is filled with large boulders. These can be trickier and more time-consuming to move. As a result, it may take longer than expected to prepare the earth for your new foundation. 

 

Leave It To The Professionals

Excavation is complex and requires the expertise of professionals. DUB-L-EE is experienced with all stages of construction and can give you a better idea of the timeline required for excavation in your area. Visit our website for more details on how we can help you with your next construction project!