Most people think excavation means a big machine, a big crew, and a big bill. That keeps a lot of homeowners from calling — they assume the small job on their to-do list isn’t worth a contractor’s time, or that it’ll cost thousands.
It usually doesn’t. A lot of the mini-excavation work we do around Nanaimo starts around $500. These are the half-day jobs that are miserable to do by hand and quick to do right with the correct machine.
The small jobs we do most
Here’s what “small excavation” actually looks like on Central Vancouver Island:
- Fence post holes — digging clean, consistent holes for a new fence line, especially through hard or rocky ground where a hand auger gives up.
- Stump removal — pulling out stumps and root balls that a shovel and a Saturday won’t beat.
- Small drainage fixes — trenching a low spot that puddles every winter and laying drain rock so the water goes where you want it.
- Patio and pad grading — levelling and prepping the ground before a patio, shed, or hot tub goes in.
- Building parking spots — carving out and grading a gravel parking area on an acreage or a tight urban lot.
None of these need a full-size excavator or a five-person crew. They need the right compact machine and an operator who’s done it a hundred times. Our Bobcat E10 fits through a standard four-foot gate, so it gets into backyards a larger machine can’t — here’s how we choose the E10 over a full-size machine.
Why the “starting at $500” matters
The number itself isn’t the point — the point is that a professional job on a small task is affordable and worth it. Doing it by hand costs you a weekend, a sore back, and often a result that isn’t level or deep enough. Doing it with a machine costs a few hundred dollars and a couple of hours.
Final pricing depends on access, ground conditions, and how much material has to move. But if you’ve been putting off a small dig because you assumed it’d be a big-ticket item, it’s worth a quick conversation.
Honest pricing — a real story
Here’s why we’re upfront about cost. A homeowner in Parksville needed a backyard excavation. One company quoted $40,000. Another quoted $35,000. We completed the same scope for $15,000 — and still made a healthy margin on the job.
That gap isn’t magic. It’s the difference between a company that prices a project fairly and one that counts on the customer not knowing what the work actually involves. Excavation is one of those trades where it’s easy to take advantage of someone who can’t see the true value or requirements of a project.
We’d rather tell you the honest number, do the work well, and earn the next call. Fair pricing is a strategy, not a discount.
How to tell if a quote is fair
You don’t need to be an expert. A few signals:
- The contractor walks the site before quoting, or asks detailed questions about access, ground, and utilities.
- The quote explains the scope — what’s included, what isn’t, disposal, and site cleanup — rather than one lump number.
- They mention safety and locates. Any dig near a property line or services should start with a free BC One Call locate before a bucket goes in the ground. We cover when that matters in our BC One Call guide.
- They don’t pressure you. A fair operator is happy to let you compare.
Book a small excavation job
If you’ve got fence posts to set, a stump to pull, a wet corner to drain, or a pad to grade in Nanaimo or anywhere on Central Vancouver Island, it’s probably a smaller job than you think. See our mini-excavation services or request a quote — we’ll give you a straight answer, and if it’s a job you can reasonably do yourself, we’ll tell you that too.
FAQ
What’s the smallest excavation job you’ll take on? We regularly do half-day jobs starting around $500 — fence post holes, single stumps, small drainage trenches, and pad grading. If it needs a machine, it’s worth a call.
Do you charge for a quote? No. We’ll assess the site and give you an honest scope and price.
Can your machine fit into my backyard? Usually, yes. Our Bobcat E10 fits through a standard four-foot gate, and our compact truck reaches tight driveways larger trucks can’t.
Do I need a utility locate for a small job? If you’re digging near a property line, services, or anywhere underground utilities could run, yes — start with a free BC One Call locate. It’s the safe, legal first step, and on older or rural properties we add a private utility locate to find irrigation, septic, and other private lines One Call won’t mark.