Excavation and grading is a very important part of the paving process, and it is where the lifespan of a surface is really decided. If the ground is not dug to the right depth, shaped to drain, and compacted properly, the asphalt above it will crack and settle no matter how good the paving work is. Doing the groundwork thoroughly is what lets the finished surface last for years to come.

Not always. If your existing surface is structurally sound and simply worn, an overlay may be possible without full removal. But when the old asphalt has failed, the levels are wrong, or the base underneath has broken down, we strip out the old material first so the new surface has something solid to sit on. We will tell you which applies after looking at the site.

Grading sets the slope so water runs off your surface and away from buildings instead of pooling on it or soaking into the base. In Calgary that matters enormously, because water that sits on or under asphalt freezes, expands, and tears the surface apart. Getting the grade right is the cheapest insurance you can buy on a paving project.

Old asphalt and excavated material are stripped out and hauled off your site as part of the job. Removal, trucking, and disposal are built into your quote, so there is no surprise at the end and nothing left behind for you to deal with.

Yes. We handle everything from basic asphalt excavating services for commercial parking lots through to more detailed excavation work on your property. With over 50 years of experience in residential and commercial excavation, we bring the right equipment for the site rather than forcing one approach onto every job.

The clearest signs are water pooling after rain, ice forming in the same spots every winter, water running toward a building instead of away from it, and areas that have settled lower than the surface around them. Any of those means the grade or the base underneath needs attention. Patching over the symptom without fixing the grade usually just buys you one more season.

It depends on the size of the area, how much material has to come out, access for equipment and trucks, and what we find once we start digging. Smaller residential jobs move quickly, while commercial sites are scheduled alongside the rest of the paving work. You will get a timeline with your quote, and we hold ourselves to finishing on time and on budget.

Excavation and grading run through the paving season, roughly spring through fall. Frozen ground makes digging and compaction difficult and unreliable in winter, and the grade has to be right before any asphalt can go down. Booking early in the season gives you the most flexibility, since site prep has to be finished before the paving crew can start.

Every site is quoted individually. Cost depends on the area involved, how deep the excavation goes, the volume of material removed and hauled away, ground conditions, the drainage and grading work required, and equipment access. Call 403.263.2411 or email quotes@calgarypaving.com for a free, no-obligation estimate.