Excavation and stone foundation:
the part of your driveway you’ll never see, and the one that decides everything
Excavation, removal of the old surface, crushed stone compacted in layers and drainage slopes. The base that makes asphalt hold, or a site ready to pave for your project.
The problem
On installation day, nobody sees the foundation. That’s exactly why it’s where the corners get cut, and where driveways die. A base that’s too thin, not compacted in layers or laid without a slope holds water, freezes, and moves everything above it. You can lay the best asphalt in the world on a bad base: it will crack.
Paving is only as good as its foundation. We handle the excavation, removal of the old materials, placement of crushed stone (MG-20 / 0-¾) compacted in layers, and grading with drainage slopes: before paving, or to prepare a site for another contractor.
Our equipment lets us work on small residential driveways as well as large parking lots, with debris removal included.
Ideal for
- New lot or gravel driveway
- Clay soil or recurring settling
- Parking lot expansion
- Full reconstruction after damage
What changes the price
No price per square foot here: it depends on what we find during the visit. Here is what really moves your quote.
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The excavation depth, determined by the soil in place and the expected load.
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The materials to remove and haul away: gravel, old asphalt, concrete, roots, soil.
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The type of soil: clay or wet soil needs a thicker foundation, sometimes a drain.
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The thickness of crushed stone and the number of compacted layers.
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Access for the excavator and the trucks, and the hauling distance for the debris.
Everything that affects the price of paving
The mistakes we often see
- A foundation that’s too thin to save on stone: it’s the most expensive saving there is.
- Dumping all the stone at once and compacting a single time: the deeper layers stay loose.
- Grading flat, with no slope: water stays under the asphalt instead of draining away.
- Digging without locating the utility lines: a broken gas or water main costs far more than the call to Info-Excavation.
The concrete benefits.
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Ground that stops moving
Crushed stone placed and compacted layer by layer: the voids are eliminated, and the spring settling never happens.
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Water goes away from your house
Calculated slopes and drains where needed: no puddles in front of the garage, no seepage toward your home’s foundation.
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No grey zone between contractors
Excavation, foundation and paving by the same crew, debris disposed of by the rules. One responsibility, one number to call if something’s off.
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Debris removal
Old asphalt, concrete and soil disposed of by the rules.
How we proceed, step by step.
- 1
Locating and marking underground utilities
- 2
Excavation to the required depth and removal of materials
- 3
Crushed stone placed in layers, mechanical compaction
- 4
Final grading with drainage slopes
- 5
Paving (or handover of a site ready to pave)
Excavation and foundation: in your city.
Same method, same written quote, same crew, from the island of Montreal to the North Shore and the South Shore.
Montreal
Laval
North Shore
Your city is not on the list? See all our service areas or describe your project: we will quickly tell you if we come to your area.
About this service.
How thick does the foundation need to be?
Generally 6 to 8 inches of compacted stone for a residential driveway, 10 to 12 inches and more for a commercial parking lot, depending on the soil and the load.
How long does the excavation take?
A standard residential driveway is prepared in one day; paving generally follows within the next few days.
What happens to the old asphalt?
It’s loaded and hauled to an authorized site where it’s recycled: asphalt gets reused. Concrete and soil are disposed of the same way, by the rules. Removal is included in the quote, not billed as an extra.
Do utility lines need to be located before digging?
Before any excavation, gas, electrical and telecommunications lines must be located; the request is made to Info-Excavation. Also point out your private services (drain, irrigation, lighting) during the visit.
Read this before you decide.
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Asphalt Resurfacing or Rebuilding: How to Know What Your Driveway Needs
Asphalt resurfacing or rebuild? The foundation test, the symptoms that rule out resurfacing, typical cases around Montreal and a checklist before signing.
Read the article → -
How Long Does an Asphalt Driveway Last in Quebec (and How to Extend Its Life)
Foundation, thickness, drainage, sealer: what determines the lifespan of an asphalt driveway in Quebec, the end-of-life signs, the mistakes to avoid.
Read the article → -
Permits for redoing your driveway: what Montreal, Laval and Terrebonne require
When a permit is generally required for a driveway, what cities say about redoing it as is, and where to check city by city.
Read the article →
Other services
Let’s talk about your project.
Describe your project in two minutes. The owner calls you back to set up a visit, measure, assess the base, and hand you a detailed quote, free and with no obligation.
- Free visit and measurement
- Firm price, itemized step by step
- Written warranty in the quote
- Quick callback, on business days
What your quote includes
- Area measured on site
- Excavation and removal of the old surface
- Crushed stone base compacted in layers
- Asphalt thickness and compaction method
- Drainage, slopes and transitions
- Finishing and site cleanup
- Written warranty and its terms
Line by line, comparable with any other quote.