Site Preparation Durango, CO
You bought a piece of land in the Four Corners region. Now you need it cleared, graded, and fully built out before a builder can set foot on it. That's where we come in.
Animas Excavating is a licensed and insured excavation contractor based in Durango. We handle the full scope of raw land infrastructure from land clearing and building pad grading to underground utilities, septic systems, access roads, and retaining walls. One contractor, one point of contact, from raw dirt to build-ready land.
Since 2018, we've been doing this work in Southwest Colorado. Our customers have given us a 5.0 Google rating across 24 reviews, we carry an A+ BBB rating with zero complaints, and we're a certified OWTS installer on the La Plata County Public Health roster. Estimates are always free.
When you reach out, we reach back.
5.0 Star on Google
A+ BBB Rating
7+ Years Serving the Four Corners
Certified OWTS Installer
Site Preparation
Excavation
Underground Utilities
Septic Systems
Sewer Line Repair
Demolition
Retaining Walls
Road Construction
Land Clearing
Grading
You bought the land. Now what?
This service is built for people who have purchased raw land in the Four Corners region and need everything installed before a builder can start. That typically means someone who:
- Bought land in Durango, Bayfield, Hesperus, Mancos, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, or the surrounding area
- Is usually from out of town and unfamiliar with local permitting, terrain, and the sequence of trades
- Needs the excavator first - before the builder, the plumber, or the electrician
- Wants one contractor who can guide them through the process and connect them with the other trades they'll need
Already local and ready to develop land you've owned for a while? We handle that too.
What Full Infrastructure Installation Covers
Every raw land project follows the same sequence. Here's what we take care of, from the first day on site to the day a builder can start:
- Land clearing and grubbing: Removing trees, vegetation, stumps, and debris until there's a clean slate to work from.
- Building pad grading: Leveling and shaping the land where your structure will sit. When the project calls for it, we use 3D smart grade GPS satellite technology instead of traditional grade stakes and string line.
- Underground utilities: Water, sewer, and storm drain installation for properties connecting to city services; well coordination for rural properties.
- Septic system installation: For properties not on city sewer, we handle the full OWTS installation as a certified installer on the La Plata County Public Health roster, including county permitting and inspection coordination.
- Access road and driveway construction: Clearing, grading, road base, and culvert installation for proper drainage.
- Retaining walls: Where the terrain requires them, in pre-cast engineered concrete blocks or natural stone.
Foundation for new structures
We excavate and install the footings and stem walls that form the perimeter base of the building. This work is done in close coordination with the builder to ensure the foundation comes out to precise spec before framing begins.
From first call to build-ready land, here's what to expect
Getting in touch
Reach out by phone, text, or email. You'll hear back from us promptly. From there we start with a short exploration call - a few minutes to understand your project and make sure we're a good fit for each other. No pressure, no obligation.
Getting on site and getting you a bid
- We'll schedule a site visit soon after that first call.
- Plans reviewed and regulating offices contacted as part of our bid process
- We turn bids around quickly so you're not left waiting.
How pricing works
- Straightforward scopes get a fixed-cost bid - a hard number you can put on a spreadsheet.
- Complex or uncertain conditions get a time-and-materials contract.
- No deposit required in most cases.
- Septic systems require 50% down due to material costs.
How invoicing works
Once work begins, we invoice at the end of every week for what was completed that week. No surprise bills at the end of the job.
What you walk away with
By the time you have a bid in hand, you'll know what the project costs, what the timeline looks like, and who else you'll need to bring in. We can help with that last part too.
Why Animas Excavating
We've been doing this work in Southwest Colorado since 2018. Mike's family has roots in the Four Corners region going back to 1939. This isn't a company that showed up because the market got hot. We know this area, we know the permitting offices, and we know what the ground here tends to throw at a project.
That last part matters more than people expect. Hard rock is common in the Durango area and it affects both cost and timeline. We're not going to discover it mid-project and call you with a surprise. We factor it into the bid after we've seen the site.
We also use 3D smart grade GPS satellite technology that our direct competitors in this market aren't using. That means faster grading, more accurate results, and no ongoing surveying costs built into your project.
And unlike most excavation contractors, we don't just move dirt and hand you a bill. We walk you through the full process, explain what things cost and why, and connect you with the other trades you'll need once the infrastructure is in. For someone building in a place they don't live yet, that matters.
200 +
Projects Completed Seven Years of Work in Southwest Colorado Backs Every Job
We hold a 5.0 Google rating across 24 reviews and an A+ BBB rating with zero complaints. We're a certified OWTS installer on the La Plata County Public Health roster, licensed, fully insured and bonded, and registered as an FMCSA carrier.
The Technology Our Competitors Aren't Using
Most excavation companies in the Durango area still grade the old-school way. Physical grade stakes get set across the site, string lines gets stretched between them, and a surveyor comes out regularly to reset the ones that get knocked over during construction. Our competitors are still working this way.
How we do it differently
We use 3D smart grade GPS satellite technology. The equipment knows exactly where it needs to be at every point on the site, guided by software and satellites rather than stakes in the ground:
- No physical grade stakes
- No string line
- No weekly surveyor visits
- Crew fully trained on the technology - not dependent on any one person
What that means for your project
- Grading is faster and more accurate than old-school methods
- No delays from disturbed or missing stakes
- Approximately $90,000 in surveying cost savings on commercial jobs
- Building pad comes out exactly right the first time on residential work
Questions We Hear Before Most Projects Start
How much does full infrastructure installation cost in Durango?
It depends on the project. Terrain, access, the utilities needed, rock conditions, and whether a septic system is required all affect the number. A flat lot near city services is a very different job from a sloped rural property that needs a full OWTS installation. That’s exactly why we do a site visit before putting a number together. The estimate is free and the bid is a hard number when the scope is clear.
What permits do I need before you can start?
Grading, utility work, and septic installation typically require permits from La Plata County or the City of Durango depending on where the property sits. We contact the relevant regulating offices as part of our bid process. You don’t have to figure that out before calling us.
What if there's hard rock on my property?
It’s common in the Durango area. Hard rock affects cost and timeline, and we factor it into the bid after we’ve seen the site. We have the equipment to hammer and remove it. It’s not something we discover mid-project.
Do I need a septic system or can I connect to city sewer?
It depends on the property location. Many properties in Southwest Colorado aren’t on city sewer. We’re a certified OWTS installer on the La Plata County Public Health roster and handle the full installation including county permitting and inspection coordination.
How long does site prep and infrastructure installation take?
It depends on scope. A basic clearing and grading job moves faster than a full infrastructure package with septic, utilities, and road construction. We give a realistic timeline with the bid and send weekly progress invoices throughout so you always know where things stand.
I'm not local. Can you manage the project while I'm in another state?
Yes, and most of our customers are in exactly this situation. We communicate by phone, text, and email. You’ll know what was done each week and what it cost. We also connect you with the builders, plumbers, and electricians you’ll need once the land is ready.
Serving the Four Corners Region Since 2018
We serve Durango, Bayfield, Hesperus, Mancos, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, and the surrounding Four Corners region of Southwest Colorado.
This is where we live and work. Mike's family has been in the area since 1939, and we've been doing this specific work on this specific ground since 2018.
We know the terrain, the permitting offices, and the conditions that affect projects here because we haven't been anywhere else.
Request a Free Estimate
Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you within two hours.
Let’s Work
Ready to get started? Let's talk about your land.
Animas Excavating is a licensed and insured General Excavation Contractor based in Durango, Colorado.
Not ready to commit yet? That's fine. Start with a quick call. We'll spend a few minutes understanding your project and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit. No pressure, no obligation.
Address:
2942 E 4th Ave, Durango, CO 81301
Phone Number:
(970) 403-2787
Email Address:
mike@animasexcavating.com