High-End Residential Excavation
Precision basement excavation and site preparation for luxury custom homes across the Wasatch Back.
The Largest Fleet in the Corridor, Built for Mountain Terrain
Residential excavation in the Park City and Heber City corridor is a different discipline than flatland work. Lots sit at 6,500 to 9,000 feet, slope angles exceed fifteen percent, and subsurface conditions shift from decomposed granite to solid limestone within a single pad.
For custom homes in the five- to twenty-five-million-dollar range, the excavation phase sets the tone for everything that follows. Tolerances are tighter, schedules are compressed by a short mountain building season, and the cost of rework is measured in weeks — not days.
JKT fields the largest privately owned excavation fleet in the Wasatch Back. We match equipment to the lot, not the other way around — running eight dedicated residential crews, each led by a foreman with years of mountain excavation experience.
What's Included
Mass Excavation & Basement Dig
Full-depth excavation to structural plan grade with GPS machine control.
Over-Excavation
Removal and replacement per structural engineer specifications for bearing capacity.
Fine Grading
Precision grading to plan elevation for foundation forming and flatwork.
Rock Removal & Export
Hydraulic breaking and haul-off of ledge rock encountered during excavation.
Engineered Backfill
Backfill placed in controlled lifts with compaction testing at each layer.
Pad Certification
Grade verification and documentation for structural engineer sign-off.
Access Road Construction
Temporary access roads built and maintained for construction traffic on steep lots.
Erosion & Sediment Control
SWPPP-compliant erosion control installation per county stormwater permits.
Spoils Management
On-site stockpiling or export of excavated material with haul tracking.
Utility Corridor Coordination
Rough-in coordination with utility trades before backfill operations begin.
Our Process
Site Survey & Staking
Coordinate with surveyor for initial staking, blue-tops, and building pad layout verification.
Mass Excavation
Remove overburden and cut to rough grade with GPS-guided equipment matched to lot conditions.
Basement Dig to Plan
Precision excavation to structural plan depth with bearing verification by geotech engineer.
Fine Grading & Compaction
Final grade to plan elevation with mechanical compaction and density testing in lifts.
Inspection & GC Handoff
Pad certification, grade documentation, and clean handoff to the general contractor for forming.
Site Survey & Staking
Coordinate with surveyor for initial staking, blue-tops, and building pad layout verification.
Mass Excavation
Remove overburden and cut to rough grade with GPS-guided equipment matched to lot conditions.
Basement Dig to Plan
Precision excavation to structural plan depth with bearing verification by geotech engineer.
Fine Grading & Compaction
Final grade to plan elevation with mechanical compaction and density testing in lifts.
Inspection & GC Handoff
Pad certification, grade documentation, and clean handoff to the general contractor for forming.
Built for Wasatch Back Conditions
The building season runs April through November, and even within that window the ground fights back. Spring thaw saturates clay soils, summer monsoons turn cut slopes into waterfalls, and by late October overnight freezes dictate pour schedules. Rock is the constant variable — from ledge rock in Colony at White Pine to expansive clay in lower Tuhaye. We plan for every subsurface profile this valley produces before the first truck rolls on site.
Recent Project
Wasatch Peaks Ranch — Lot G5
Comprehensive excavation and site prep for a luxury estate in Wasatch Peaks Ranch. Full mass grading on steep alpine terrain with precise pad formation for a multi-level architectural footprint. Work included foundation benching, slope stabilization, and utility trenching in coordination with architectural and structural plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does basement excavation take in Park City?
Most single-family basement excavations take five to ten working days depending on lot access, rock conditions, and basement footprint. Large estates with walkout basements, detached structures, or significant rock removal can extend to three weeks. We provide a detailed schedule after reviewing the geotech report and structural plans so the GC can plan forming and waterproofing crews accordingly.
Can you excavate on steep mountain lots?
Yes — steep lots are the majority of our work. We regularly excavate lots with slopes exceeding twenty-five percent across Park City and Deer Valley. These projects require engineered temporary access, bench-cut sequencing, and often retaining elements built in tandem with the excavation. Our equipment fleet includes machines sized specifically for tight, steep-access conditions.
What equipment do you use for residential excavation?
Our fleet includes CAT 330 and 350 excavators with hydraulic thumb and breaker attachments, CAT D6 dozers, articulated haul trucks, and a range of rock trucks and compaction equipment. We select the spread based on lot size, access constraints, and soil conditions — there is no one-size-fits-all approach at elevation.
Do you handle rock removal during excavation?
Absolutely. Rock removal is a routine part of residential excavation in this area. We use hydraulic breakers mounted on our excavators for most ledge rock and coordinate blasting through a licensed subcontractor when conditions warrant it. Broken rock is either exported off site or, when the material is suitable, crushed and reused as structural fill or driveway base on the same project.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Get a detailed bid from the Wasatch Back's most experienced excavation team.