The average yard in Montana is around 71,576 square feet. 

While the average yard is large, that doesn’t mean that it is prepared or ready for landscaping, construction, or other improvement projects. If you want to engage in any of these activities, you’ll need to know how to excavate a yard. 

Before Getting Started

Almost every job that involves digging or working outside does require some preparation. You need to check with your local ordinances to make sure you have any permits required to alter your lawn. If you are part of an HOA, you’ll also want to check with them. 

You will want to know where your underground utilities are. This will enable you to plan your digging without disturbing any vital utilities or dangerous lines, such as gas or electricity. Make sure that you have the underground utilities marked, and plan accordingly. 

If you are doing a small excavation, you will need shovels and other digging tools. If you are doing a large excavation, you may want to look into equipment. While it will be expensive, this type of equipment can be rented or bought. 

Make sure that you have a place for the dirt. You are going to be digging, and the excess dirt will have to go somewhere. You can use the dirt for various projects or even for finishing your excavation. 

Excavating Your Yard

Before you start digging, make sure to mark the area in which you plan to excavate. This can be done in a couple of different ways. One way is to use waterproof marking paint, which is often white. Another way is to lay out flags. Just make sure they aren’t the same color used by utility markers. 

Make sure you select the right tool for the job. The shovel you use will depend on the type of soil that is in your yard. If you want to make things easier on your foot, make sure to get a shovel with a rolled edge. Pointed shovels are great for loose dirt, and flat-edged shovels are great for coarse dirt. 

Start from the outside of the area you have marked off and work your way in. Try to avoid stepping on the dug-up soil as much as possible. You’ll want to make sure the entire outer boundary is done before moving in towards the center. 

For best results, remove the soil in layers from the area you are excavating. This will give you a greater degree of control over the leveling and depth. Once you have completed your first pass, check the area to make sure that you’re still following the plan and continue digging.

You may want to consider placing down plastic for the excess dirt. This will prevent damage to the grass and make it easy to contain the loose dirt. Remember that if you have to transport the dirt, use a wheelbarrow to save time and your back. 

Hard Work and Precision

If you’ve never excavated a yard before, you may be surprised at how difficult it is to get right. If you have, you know that it can be back-breaking work. There is an alternative to doing all of the work yourself. You can hire contractors who will bring an entire team of professionals to get the job done. 

Don’t worry about the horror stories you’ve heard about from other contractors. If you want integrity, professionalism, and high-quality results, you need BDH Land Solutions. We won’t leave a job half finished; we will deliver professional results with each and every job. 

If the job turns out to be bigger than expected, you won’t have a surprise bill waiting for you. We will stop and seek your authorization before continuing with anything that might exceed the quote that we gave you. This way, you stay informed and aware of any changes that are being made. 

Not only can BDH Land Solutions excavate your yard, but we can also take care of the planning and construction. If you want a patio or some other landscaping done, we have all the equipment and tools necessary. Our team is made up of professionals who have the experience and training that your project deserves. 

If you’re tired of dealing with contractors who don’t have a strong work ethic, BDH Land Solutions is ready to get started. No matter if it’s a single home and yard or an entire development, no job is too big or too complicated for BDH Land Solutions. 

Contact us and let’s start your journey to having the yard of your dreams today.