Excavation in Ottawa
Our Services
Residential and Commercial Excavation in Ottawa
TOXX Enterprises provides excavation services for residential, commercial and specialized construction projects across Ottawa and surrounding areas.
Our work includes controlled digging, foundation access, drainage preparation, egress-window excavation and site preparation.
Excavation Services
- Egress window excavation
- Foundation exposure
- Drainage and waterproofing preparation
- Trenching
- Site preparation
- Concrete and structure access
- Soil and material removal
- Small and specialized excavation projects
Controlled Excavation Around Existing Properties
Excavating near a home, foundation or existing structure requires planning and control. TOXX carefully considers access, soil conditions, nearby utilities, drainage and the surrounding property before beginning the work. Our goal is to complete the required excavation efficiently while limiting unnecessary disruption.
Excavation for Egress Windows
Excavation is one of the first steps in a complete egress window project. TOXX prepares the area around the foundation, creates the required working space and supports the project through cutting, drainage, waterproofing and finishing.
Commercial and Subcontracted Excavation
TOXX supports contractors and commercial project teams with excavation scopes that require specialized equipment, flexibility and technical experience. We can work independently or as part of a larger construction schedule.
Other Services
Controlled excavation around existing properties
Most of our excavation happens around homes and buildings that are staying put — which is exactly where control matters. Excavating near a foundation, under an addition, or beside a neighbour’s property line means planning for access, soil conditions, underground utilities, drainage, and the surrounding property before the first bucket hits the ground.
What that looks like on a TOXX job:
- Utility locates first. We work around marked gas, hydro, water, and telecom lines — in Ontario, locates go through Ontario One Call before any digging.
- Access planned, not improvised. Tight urban lots in Ottawa need a plan for getting equipment in and soil out without tearing up the rest of the property.
- The right dig for the job. Foundation exposure, trenching, and site prep are different operations with different equipment and sequencing. We scope it correctly up front.
- Drainage considered from the start. Excavation changes how water moves around a property — we plan grading and drainage as part of the dig, not after.
Excavation services
- Foundation exposure. Full or partial exposure of foundation walls for repair, waterproofing, or inspection. We dig to the footing, protect the wall, and manage the excavated soil on site.
- Egress window excavation. Window-well excavation to code depth and clearance, coordinated with the egress window installation — cutting, drainage, and waterproofing handled by the same team.
- Drainage and waterproofing preparation. Excavation that sets up waterproofing and drainage work: exposing walls, trenching for drain tile, preparing the site so the waterproofing crew can work efficiently.
- Trenching. Utility and drainage trenches, cut to the required depth and grade.
- Site preparation. Clearing, levelling, and preparing ground for construction, additions, or concrete cutting access.
- Concrete and structure access. Opening access to buried structures, cutting pits, and working space around foundations.
- Soil and material removal. Excavated material managed and removed from site; the work area left clean.
For homeowners and contractors
Homeowners usually need us for one focused job: exposing a foundation for repair or waterproofing, digging for an egress window, or preparing for an addition. You get a clear scope, a clear price, and a crew that treats your property like it’s staying yours — because it is.
Contractors and commercial clients use us for scheduled excavation scopes: subcontracted digging, foundation access, and site prep that needs specialized equipment and coordination with other trades. We work independently or inside a larger construction schedule.
Ottawa’s Leda clay digs differently than sand or loam — it holds water, slumps when wet, and needs the right approach in spring conditions. Add buried utilities in older neighbourhoods and tight access in infill lots, and excavation here rewards planning over horsepower. We serve Ottawa and surrounding communities, including Kanata, Nepean, Orléans, Barrhaven, Stittsville, Manotick, and Navan.
Excavation FAQs
How much does excavation cost in Ottawa?
It depends on depth, access, soil conditions, and what happens with the excavated material. Call 613-277-7070 — every estimate is free.
Do I need utility locates before you dig?
Yes — and it’s the law in Ontario. Locates go through Ontario One Call before any excavation. We’ll confirm they’re in place before we start.
Can you excavate beside my foundation without damaging it?
That’s most of what we do. Foundation exposure and work around existing structures is planned excavation — we control the dig, protect the wall, and manage soil so the property isn’t torn up.
How long does a typical residential excavation take?
Many residential jobs — a foundation exposure, an egress dig — run a day or two. Larger scopes take longer. You’ll get a clear timeline with your estimate.
Do you remove the soil, or does it stay on my property?
We manage excavated material as part of the job — stockpiled neatly for backfill where needed, removed from site where it isn’t. The work area is left clean.
Do you do excavation in winter?
Freeze and snow change the approach, but excavation happens year-round. We schedule around conditions and tell you honestly if waiting for spring gets you a better result.