Excavation & Site Work in Palm Beach County, Florida
Professional excavation and site work services for residential and commercial construction throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas. Thum Co. Contractors handles complete site preparation, excavation, grading, trenching, land clearing, and earthwork with the equipment and expertise to prepare your property for construction.
Our excavation team manages projects across West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and beyond. From residential lot clearing to large commercial site development, we own the equipment and hold the licenses to excavate, grade, and prepare sites correctly while coordinating drainage, utilities, and building pad construction.
Call (561) 366-2050 for a free excavation estimate in Palm Beach County.
Complete Excavation & Site Work Services
Site preparation and excavation in South Florida require understanding soil conditions, water tables, drainage requirements, and proper grading for hurricane-resistant construction. Our state-licensed building contractors handle excavation projects throughout Palm Beach County with the expertise to prepare sites for foundations, manage stormwater, and create stable building conditions.
Site Excavation and Preparation

Complete site excavation for residential and commercial properties throughout Palm Beach County. We excavate building pads, dig utility trenches, remove unsuitable soils, place structural fill, and prepare sites for construction following engineering plans and grading specifications.
Site preparation involves more than moving dirt. Our process includes clearing vegetation, removing topsoil, excavating to design elevations, managing groundwater, placing and compacting fill material, and creating stable conditions for construction. We coordinate with civil engineers to ensure proper site preparation that supports your building project.
Whether you’re developing a single residential lot or preparing a multi-acre commercial site, our excavation fleet handles projects of any scale across West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and surrounding areas.
Site Grading and Drainage

Precision grading for residential and commercial sites throughout Palm Beach County. We grade properties to engineered elevations, establish positive drainage away from buildings, create proper slopes for stormwater management, and prepare sites that meet local grading and drainage requirements.
Grading in South Florida must account for high rainfall, water table elevations, and stormwater regulations. Our team uses laser-guided equipment to achieve precise elevations, creates drainage swales and slopes per engineering plans, and ensures properties drain properly to prevent flooding and erosion.
We handle rough grading during initial site preparation, fine grading for building pads and landscaping, and finish grading for driveways, parking areas, and final site surfaces. Property owners and contractors throughout Palm Beach County rely on us for grading that meets engineering specifications and local codes.
Trenching Services

Utility trenching and excavation throughout Palm Beach County. We dig trenches for water lines, sewer systems, electrical conduits, communication lines, and other underground utilities using excavators, trenchers, and specialized equipment appropriate for soil conditions and trench requirements.
Trenching requires precision—proper depth, width, slope, and bedding ensure utilities install correctly and function properly. Our crew excavates to specification, maintains trench safety, coordinates with utility contractors, and backfills properly after installation.
We’ve trenched for residential water and sewer connections, commercial utility installations, subdivision infrastructure, and projects throughout South Florida. Our equipment handles everything from small residential service trenches to large commercial utility corridors.
Land Clearing and Lot Preparation
Complete land clearing for development sites throughout Palm Beach County. We remove trees, clear brush and vegetation, grind stumps, remove roots, and prepare raw land for construction or development using bulldozers, excavators, and land clearing equipment.
Land clearing prepares properties for construction by removing all vegetation and organic material that would interfere with grading or building. Our process includes clearing specified areas, grinding stumps below grade, removing debris, and leaving sites ready for grading and excavation.
Property owners and developers throughout West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, and surrounding areas use us for land clearing because we work efficiently, handle clearing debris properly, and complete projects on schedule.
Building Pad Excavation

Excavation and preparation for building pads throughout Palm Beach County. We excavate to design elevations, remove unsuitable soils (de-mucking when necessary), place engineered fill material, compact in controlled lifts, and create stable building pads that support foundation loads.
Building pad preparation in South Florida often involves removing organic soils, managing high water tables, and creating stable conditions in sandy or unsuitable native material. Our experience with local soil conditions means we know when additional excavation is needed and how to build pads that won’t settle.
We coordinate building pad work with concrete construction to ensure proper elevations, drainage slopes, and compaction before foundation installation. This integrated approach streamlines construction and ensures quality results.
Footing and Foundation Excavation
Precision excavation for building footings and foundations throughout Palm Beach County. We dig to engineered depths, maintain proper dimensions, keep excavations stable, and prepare footing trenches for concrete placement following structural engineering plans.
Footing excavation requires accuracy—proper depth, level bottoms, and square corners ensure foundations install correctly. Our operators use laser levels and surveying equipment to excavate footings precisely, which is critical for structural performance.
We handle footing excavation for residential homes, commercial buildings, and structures of all types across Palm Beach County, coordinating with foundation contractors and concrete crews for efficient project flow.
Backfill and Compaction

Proper backfill and compaction for trenches, foundations, and excavated areas throughout Palm Beach County. We place fill material in controlled lifts, compact to specified density using appropriate equipment, and ensure backfilled areas won’t settle or compromise structures.
Compaction quality determines long-term performance. Poorly compacted fill settles over time, creating foundation problems, utility damage, and pavement failures. Our crew follows engineering specifications for lift thickness, moisture content, and compaction testing when required.
We use plate compactors, jumping jacks, vibratory rollers, and heavy equipment appropriate for each backfill situation. This ensures proper density throughout backfilled areas across all our Palm Beach County projects.
Demolition Debris Removal
Excavation and removal of demolition debris and materials throughout Palm Beach County. After structure removal, we excavate remaining foundations, underground utilities, and buried materials, then grade sites clean and ready for new construction.
Post-demolition excavation often reveals old foundations, septic systems, underground tanks, or other buried items requiring removal. Our team excavates and removes these materials properly, ensuring sites are completely clean before new construction begins.
This service integrates with our demolition work, providing complete site clearing and preparation from structure removal through final excavation and grading.
Specialized Site Work Services
Pin Piling Installation
Foundation support piling installation for projects requiring deep foundation systems throughout Palm Beach County. We drive steel pin pilings to bearing depth, working with structural engineers to provide foundation support in areas with unsuitable surface soils or high load requirements.
Pin piling creates stable foundation support by transferring building loads through weak surface soils to load-bearing strata below. Our equipment drives pilings to engineered depths and spacing, providing the deep foundation support your project requires.
We handle pin piling for residential and commercial projects across South Florida, coordinating with foundation contractors and structural engineers for complete foundation solutions.
Paving and Sport Court Preparation

Site preparation for paving projects and sport court construction throughout Palm Beach County. We excavate and grade for driveways, parking lots, basketball courts, tennis courts, and paved surfaces, preparing stable bases that support asphalt or concrete paving without settling.
Paving preparation requires proper excavation depth, stable subgrade, correct slopes for drainage, and compacted base material. Our grading expertise ensures paving projects start with properly prepared surfaces that deliver long-term performance.
We prepare sites for residential driveways, commercial parking areas, athletic facilities, and specialty paving projects across Palm Beach County and surrounding areas.
Why Excavation Requires Licensed Contractors
Site work and excavation in Palm Beach County involve permit requirements, drainage regulations, environmental compliance, and coordination with engineering plans. Working with unlicensed excavators creates liability risks, permit violations, and potential drainage or foundation problems.
As state-licensed building contractors, we understand local codes, pull required permits when necessary, coordinate with engineers and inspectors, and document site work properly. This protects property owners and ensures excavation meets requirements for your construction project.
Our Excavation Process
1. Site Assessment and Planning We review engineering plans, survey existing conditions, identify challenges (high water table, unsuitable soils, access limitations), and plan excavation approach. Our team coordinates with civil engineers when plans require clarification or site conditions differ from expectations.
2. Site Preparation and Clearing We clear vegetation, remove obstacles, establish site access, and prepare for excavation equipment. Erosion control measures and site protection get installed before major earthwork begins.
3. Excavation and Grading Our operators excavate to design elevations using laser-guided equipment, GPS grading systems, or traditional surveying methods depending on project requirements. We manage excavated material—hauling off unsuitable soils and stockpiling reusable material for backfill or grading.
4. Material Placement and Compaction We place structural fill, building pad material, or backfill in controlled lifts, compacting each layer to specified density. Proper compaction prevents future settling and ensures stable conditions for construction.
5. Drainage Integration Site grading coordinates with storm drainage installation to manage stormwater properly. We install drainage structures, create swales and slopes, and ensure properties drain correctly per engineering plans.
6. Final Grading and Site Completion We complete finish grading to final elevations, establish proper drainage slopes, prepare for landscaping or paving, and leave sites clean and ready for construction or development.
Equipment for Efficient Excavation
Our excavation fleet includes excavators of various sizes, bulldozers, skid steers, compaction equipment, dump trucks, laser grading systems, and specialized attachments. Owning our equipment means we control project schedules, maintain quality standards, and complete excavation work efficiently.
The right equipment makes excavation faster and more precise. Our operators select appropriate machines for each task—large excavators for mass excavation, smaller machines for tight residential access, specialized equipment for precision grading or compaction.
Excavation Services Throughout Palm Beach County
Thum Co. provides excavation and site work services across Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas including:
- West Palm Beach
- Lake Worth
- Boynton Beach
- Delray Beach
- Wellington
- Greenacres
- Jupiter
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Royal Palm Beach
- Boca Raton
We also serve neighboring counties and cities within reasonable distance from our West Palm Beach location.
Recent Excavation Projects
We’ve completed excavation and site work projects throughout Palm Beach County ranging from residential lot preparation to large commercial site development. Our portfolio includes land clearing, building pad construction, utility trenching, grading, and complete site preparation for new construction.
View our recent excavation projects →
Why Choose Thum Co. for Excavation & Site Work
Licensed Building Contractors State building contractor license allows us to handle complete site work projects, pull permits when required, and coordinate with engineering professionals throughout Florida.
Complete Site Work Capability Beyond excavation, we handle demolition, storm drainage, and concrete construction. General contractors use us for complete site work because one contractor manages all phases.
We Own Our Equipment Our excavation fleet, grading equipment, and compaction tools mean reliable scheduling and efficient execution. We’re not waiting on equipment rentals or coordinating multiple subcontractors.
South Florida Experience Years of excavation work in Palm Beach County means we understand local soil conditions, water table challenges, drainage requirements, and site work techniques that succeed in South Florida’s environment.
Precision Grading Technology Laser-guided equipment and GPS grading systems ensure accurate elevations and slopes. This technology delivers precision that manual grading can’t match, especially on larger commercial projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Excavation
How much does excavation cost in Palm Beach County? Excavation costs vary based on project size, soil conditions, access, and material handling requirements. Small residential excavation typically ranges $2,000-$8,000. Larger commercial site work requires estimates based on scope. Contact us at (561) 366-2050 for a quote on your Palm Beach County excavation project.
Do I need permits for excavation? Permit requirements vary by project scope and location. Major excavation, land clearing, or grading often requires permits from Palm Beach County or local municipalities. As licensed contractors, we help determine permit requirements and handle applications when needed.
How long does site excavation take? Timeline depends on project size and complexity. Small residential excavation typically takes 1-3 days. Larger sites or complex grading may take weeks. We provide specific timelines based on your project scope and site conditions.
What happens to excavated soil? Suitable material often gets reused for backfill or grading on your site. Unsuitable soils or excess material gets hauled off-site to approved disposal areas. We coordinate material management to minimize costs while meeting project requirements.
Can you excavate in wet or rainy conditions? South Florida’s rainy season presents challenges, but experienced crews work through weather when safe. We may implement dewatering, adjust schedules for weather windows, or take other measures to maintain progress. Some conditions require stopping work temporarily for safety.
What is de-mucking and when is it needed? De-mucking removes unsuitable organic soils (muck) that won’t support structural loads. Common in low-lying areas throughout Palm Beach County, de-mucking excavates organic material and replaces it with engineered fill. We determine de-mucking needs based on soil conditions and project requirements.
Do you coordinate with utility companies? Yes, we call Florida 811 before excavation to mark underground utilities, coordinate with utility companies when trenching near existing services, and work safely around marked utilities throughout Palm Beach County projects.
What areas do you serve for excavation? We primarily serve Palm Beach County including West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, and Boca Raton. We also work in neighboring counties within reasonable distance.
Can you handle excavation and concrete work together? Yes, coordinating excavation with concrete construction eliminates scheduling gaps and ensures proper preparation. We excavate and grade for foundations, then handle concrete work without waiting for separate contractors.
How do you ensure proper drainage after excavation? We follow grading plans to establish proper slopes, coordinate with storm drainage installation when required, and ensure sites drain correctly per engineering specifications and local codes.
Related Services
Complete site development requires coordinated services. We also provide:
- Demolition Services – Structure removal and site clearing
- Storm Drain Installation – Drainage systems and stormwater management
- Concrete Construction – Foundations, building pads, and concrete work
Get Your Excavation Estimate
Ready to start excavation and site work in Palm Beach County? Contact Thum Co. Contractors for a professional estimate on your excavation project.
Call (561) 366-2050 for excavation and site work services.
Thum Co. Contractors 468 Tall Pines Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Licensed building contractors providing excavation and site work services throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas since 2017.