Excavation Contractors in Grand Rapids, MI

Excavation contractors in Grand Rapids work in a city that grew up around the rapids of the Grand River, about 25 miles east of Lake Michigan. The 2020 census counted 198,917 residents on about 44.8 square miles of land, spread across 37 neighborhoods. By 1911, 47 furniture factories employed about 8,500 people here, and much of the city's older housing stock went up in those decades.

Old houses, old services

Heritage Hill, just east of downtown, is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country, with about 1,300 homes dating from 1848 in more than 60 architectural styles. Homes that old can have stone foundations, early water and sewer services and settled grades. Exterior foundation digs, service line replacements and drainage fixes are common here. Work near historic homes is done with compact equipment and hand digging close to walls.

River floods

The Grand has flooded the city repeatedly. In March 1904 the river crested at 19.6 feet, flooding more than half the populated west side and over 2,500 houses. In April 2013 it crested at 21.85 feet, forcing thousands to evacuate and causing more than $10 million in damage. Fill and grading in low areas near the river are checked against floodplain rules before we plan anything.

Gypsum under the south side

Gypsum outcrops where Plaster Creek meets the Grand River, and settlers began mining it in 1841, first in open pits, then underground. Unexpected voids are rare for residential digs, but we ask about known history for deep work in that part of town.

City permits

Work in the right-of-way, such as dumpsters or lane closures, sidewalk and drive approach work, and utility connections, falls under the city's permits. We confirm which ones apply to your job.

Common city jobs

• Water and sewer service replacements
• Exterior basement wall dig-outs
• Garage teardowns and new pads
• Regrading and downspout lines

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