After a demolition, or before a new build, extension, shed slab or driveway, most Mackay blocks need some digging: a site cut to level the pad, trenches for services, footing holes, or removal of old fill and rubble. With Mackay's heavy wet season, reactive clays, sandy coastal soils and high water tables in low-lying areas, the conditions under the surface matter as much as the size of the job.
Mackay Demolition Service is a referral service. We do not do excavation work and we do not set prices. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to an independent local business with suitable machinery and operators. This page is general information, not engineering or professional advice.
Common excavation jobs in Mackay
- Site cuts and levelling for a new house or knockdown-rebuild
- Footing and pier holes, and strip footings for extensions
- Trenching for stormwater, sewer, water, power and NBN connections
- Driveway and crossover preparation
- Shed and garage slab preparation
- Removing old slabs, rubble and fill after demolition (see site clearing)
- Pool removal and backfill, and retaining-wall cuts
We take enquiries across Mackay and nearby areas, including Andergrove, North Mackay, Mount Pleasant, Ooralea, Rural View, Walkerston, Sarina, Bucasia and Glenella. See service areas.
Before anyone digs
- Locate underground services. Lodge a free enquiry with Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) so asset owners can send plans. Private lines on your property may still need a locator.
- Read your soil report and plans. A geotechnical (soil) report and engineering drawings usually set the depth of footings and the size of the site cut.
- Check approvals. Building work, and some earthworks and retaining walls, need approval from a building certifier, and Mackay Regional Council may need to approve operational works, works near easements, stormwater or in flood and overlay areas. Our demolition permits guide explains how approvals work.
- Trenches deeper than 1.5 metres are high-risk construction work under Queensland work health and safety rules, requiring a safe work method statement and appropriate support or battering.
- Wet season and groundwater. Heavy rain from roughly December to April can flood trenches and stall site cuts. Low-lying coastal sites may hit groundwater, so ask how the contractor will manage water and erosion.
After a demolition
Once the house is gone, excavation is often the next step: removing footings and stumps, digging out contaminated or soft fill, and leaving a level pad ready for the builder. Asking for both quotes together can reduce double handling. See house demolition for the order of works.
What affects the price
- Volume of soil and rock to be moved, and whether it can stay on site
- Machine size and access (narrow side paths may need smaller machines)
- Soil type, rock and groundwater
- Spoil disposal and tipping fees, especially for fill that needs testing
- Compaction and engineer inspections
Contractors often price by the hour per machine plus disposal, or as a fixed quote for a defined scope. Ask for disposal to be shown separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to excavate in Mackay?
It depends on the work. Excavation that is part of building work is usually covered by the building approval. Large cuts, retaining walls, works affecting stormwater or in flood areas may need extra approvals. Check with your building certifier and Mackay Regional Council.
Can the demolition contractor do the excavation too?
Many demolition businesses also offer excavation and site preparation. Mention it in your enquiry and we will look for a contractor who can quote both.
What happens to the excavated soil?
Clean soil may be reused on site or taken to a facility that accepts it. Soil with rubble, asbestos or contamination must go to a facility licensed to accept it, which costs more.
How long does a site cut take?
A typical residential site cut is often done in one to a few days, depending on size, rock and weather. Wet-season rain often causes delays.
Next step
Send your suburb, what needs digging, rough dimensions, any soil report and photos. With your consent, we will pass it to an independent excavation contractor in the Mackay region.