Excavation & Site Clearing in Ontario
Excavation and site clearing is the groundwork stage that happens after a structure comes down or before a new one goes up. It covers stripping topsoil, grading and levelling a lot, digging foundations or trenches for footings and utilities, removing tree stumps and brush, and hauling away debris, fill, or rock that doesn't belong on site. On demolition projects it usually follows the teardown and includes breaking up and removing slab, backfilling voids, and prepping the lot so it passes inspection for whatever comes next. We track 95 businesses across Ontario offering this work, ranging from small operators with a single skid steer to larger outfits running excavators, dozers, and dump trucks for commercial-scale jobs.
Before hiring, ask what equipment the crew actually owns versus rents, whether they carry the insurance and WSIB coverage needed for excavation work near utilities or property lines, and how they handle unexpected finds like buried tanks, contaminated soil, or rock that needs blasting or breaking. Get a written scope that specifies depth, grading tolerances, and where fill or debris goes, since disposal and trucking often drive the final cost more than the digging itself.
Our ranked guide to excavation and site clearing contractors scores companies on factors like licensing, equipment capacity, and how consistently they deliver on scope and timeline, so you can compare options faster than starting from scratch. The scoring approach is laid out in full on our methodology page.
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All excavation & site clearing, ranked by score and relevance
We found 159 businesses offering excavation & site clearing; 86 met the criteria for the scored directory. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is excavation & site clearing, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
When you submit a quote or contact form, we may share your enquiry with partner providers to carry out the work, and we may receive a referral fee. Our rankings and scores come from our published scoring method only and are never affected by referral fees.
Common questions about excavation & site clearing
- How much does excavation and site clearing cost in Ontario?
- Costs vary a lot depending on lot size, soil type, and how much material needs hauling off site. Small residential jobs like clearing a backyard or digging a foundation trench might run a few thousand dollars, while larger commercial lots with rock removal, extensive grading, or contaminated soil disposal can run well into five figures. Get quotes based on cubic yards moved and confirm whether trucking and tipping fees are included.
- How often does a property need this kind of work?
- Most residential properties only need excavation once, tied to a build, addition, or major landscaping project. Commercial and development sites see it more often as parcels are cleared and regraded between projects, and demolition sites need it as a standard follow-up step once a structure is torn down.
- What should I expect during the job?
- Expect the crew to strip and stockpile topsoil first, then excavate or grade to the specified depth, checking levels as they go. Trucks will move in and out to haul away spoil or bring in fill, so access and parking near the site matter. A reputable contractor will flag any surprises, like buried debris or high water table, before pushing ahead.
- How can I judge whether a contractor did quality work?
- Check that grading matches the agreed elevations and drains properly instead of pooling water, that backfill is compacted rather than loose, and that the site is left clean with no leftover debris or ruts from equipment. Ask for the compaction or grading records if the job feeds into a foundation pour, since inspectors will want that documentation.
Guides to choosing excavation & site clearing
- Excavating near utility lines in Ontario: what the law requires first
What Ontario law requires before you dig or excavate near buried utility lines, how the locate request process works, and what happens if you skip it.
- The best time of year to schedule demolition or excavation in Ontario
How Ontario's seasons affect demolition and excavation timing, from frozen ground in winter to permit backlogs in spring, and when to actually book.