Basement & Foundation Excavation in Utah
Basement and foundation excavation held to your plans, from tight teardown lots to mountain home sites.
The Hole Your House Sits In
A basement is the biggest single dig on most home projects, and it has to be right: the correct depth, square to the plans, and dug so the soil at the bottom is undisturbed. Ritz Excavation & Demolition digs basements and foundations for new homes, east-side rebuilds and additions across northern Utah.
After the walls are poured, we come back to backfill and grade water away from the house, which is a big part of keeping a basement dry.
What's Included
- Full basement excavation
- Foundation and footing digs
- Basements for teardown rebuilds
- Digs for additions and garages
- Backfill around foundation walls
- Final grading away from the house
Planned for Valley and Mountain Conditions
We plan for lakebed clay, cobble, groundwater and frost before we price the job, so it doesn't turn into a surprise halfway through.
Frost Depth
Footings go below the frost depth your city or county requires.
High Water Tables
Parts of the Heber Valley and lower Salt Lake Valley hold water close to the surface.
Rock and Cobble
Bench and canyon-mouth lots can hide boulders that slow the dig.
Tight Rebuild Lots
Spoils are hauled as we dig when there is no room to stockpile.
Who We Work For
Homeowners
Building a new home, a rebuild after a teardown, or an addition with a basement.
Builders & Contractors
Basements dug to your plans and depths, then backfilled when you're ready.
How the Job Works
- Plan Review We go over the foundation plan and elevations with you or your builder.
- Layout and Locates The dig is staked and utilities are marked through Blue Stakes.
- Excavation The basement or foundation is dug to plan depth and the spoils are hauled or stockpiled.
- Check Depths are checked before the footing crew arrives.
- Backfill and Grade After the walls are in, we backfill and slope the ground away from the house.
What Affects the Cost
Every job is priced to the site after we've seen it.
What We Don't Do
We stick to the dirt work and coordinate with these trades on your project:
“Jeff is a fantastic and talented contractor. Jeff’s capabilities with equipment, like an excavator, are second nature to him. He’s fantastic at excavation work, building rock walls, creating waterfalls, etc.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep do footings need to be in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City's building department uses a 30-inch frost depth for footings. Mountain towns at higher elevation can require deeper footings, so your building department and plans set the final number.
Is groundwater a problem for basements in the Heber Valley?
It can be. Studies of the Heber Valley show the valley fill is saturated close to the surface in many areas, and Wasatch County treats parts of the valley as high water table ground. We look at the lot and the soils report before we dig, and plan for water if it is likely.
Can you dig a basement right after a teardown?
Yes. We do both the demolition and the excavation, so an east-side rebuild can go from old house to open basement without a second contractor.
Do you pour the footings and walls?
No. We dig and backfill. Footings and foundation walls are done by your builder or concrete contractor.
Where We Do This Work
We provide this service across Salt Lake, Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties. Choose your area to learn more.
Ready to Dig In?
Contact Ritz Excavation & Demolition for an estimate on your project in Salt Lake, Utah, Summit or Wasatch County.