New Orleans, LA · Residential & commercial
Excavation, grading & site prep in New Orleans, done safely and on schedule.
Site preparation, trenching, grading, land clearing and demolition for homes, builders and businesses across Greater New Orleans. Free estimates and written quotes.
What we do
Excavation services
Building, fixing drainage or clearing a lot? We look at the site, locate utilities and plan the dig before any machine moves.
Site prep & grading
Lots cleared, cut, filled and graded for building.
Trenching & utilities
Trenches for water, sewer, gas and electrical lines.
Land clearing
Brush, trees and stumps removed and hauled off.
Demolition
Structures, slabs and pavement taken down and removed.
Drainage solutions
French drains, swales and grading that move water away.
Foundation excavation
Accurate digs for basements, footings and slabs.
Hauling & fill dirt
Soil, rock and debris hauled; fill delivered.
Driveways & roads
Gravel drives and access roads cut and graded.
The New Orleans Excavating Company does excavation, grading, trenching, drainage and demolition work for homes and businesses across New Orleans, the West Bank, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes and the north shore. New Orleans ground is soft, low and wet, and almost every job here is shaped by water.
A hole dug a few feet down in most of the city reaches groundwater. Trench walls in soft clay can slump, fill settles if it is not compacted in thin layers, and old slabs and debris turn up under many lots. We plan for pumping, shoring and settlement before we start, and we use small machines on tight lots and between raised houses.
Most jobs start with a call about a yard that holds water, a sewer line that has pulled apart, a slab or driveway that has sunk, or a lot to clear and raise. We look at the site, check the drainage and the utilities, request the Louisiana 811 locate, and give you the scope and price in a written quote.
How it works
- Free estimateCall, text or book online. We walk the site with you.
- Written quoteScope, equipment and price in writing.
- Utility locate & planWe have utilities marked and plan access, haul-off and erosion control.
- Dig, grade & clean upWe complete the work, grade the site and haul away spoil.
Reviews
Selected 5-star Google reviews
Quick turnaround and very professional! The excavation exceeded my expectations.
Service areas
New Orleans and the surrounding towns
Don't see your town? Call us. We likely cover it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does excavation cost in New Orleans?
HomeGuide's national 2026 figures run from $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard, and $1,100 to $5,600 for most projects. Use them as a national guide only; they are not our prices. Groundwater, soft soil and hauling drive New Orleans costs, so we quote after seeing the lot.
Do I need to call 811 before digging in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana 811 needs at least 48 hours of notice and no more than 120 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. We notify them before every dig.
Why does my yard hold water after the street drains?
Usually the yard has settled below the street and has no path to it. Raising it with compacted fill and grading it toward the street fixes most yards.
Can you dig when the hole fills with water?
Yes. Groundwater is normal here. We pump as we dig, keep trenches short and shore anything deep.
Do you remove old slabs and buried debris?
Yes. Old slabs, brick footings, cisterns and buried concrete are common on New Orleans lots, and we break them out and haul them.
What does a demolition need in New Orleans?
A permit from Safety and Permits, with utilities disconnected, sewer and water sealed by a licensed plumber, a rodent inspection, and historic or conservation district review where it applies.
Do you locate utilities before digging?
Yes. We have underground utilities marked before any excavation starts.
Do I need a permit for excavation or grading in New Orleans?
Grading, trenching in the right-of-way and demolition often need permits. We check what applies to your site.
Do you haul away the dirt?
Yes. Haul-off of soil, rock and debris is included in the quote when it is needed.
Do you work for homeowners or only builders?
Both. We do small residential jobs as well as site work for builders and businesses.
Excavating questions, answered
Straight answers on cost, repairs, permits, neighbors and choosing a contractor in New Orleans.
Ready to get started?
Free estimate and a written quote. Call us or send the form.