Before we can build anything, the site needs to be clear — whether that means removing overgrown brush and hedging, taking out stumps and root systems, demolishing existing structures, or clearing compacted debris from years of neglect. We work on residential North Shore lots of all sizes, including tight urban properties in North Vancouver and larger Sea to Sky acreages with uneven terrain and dense second-growth growth. We handle haul-away as part of the clearing scope so you’re not left managing piles.

Most North Shore properties don’t start flat — and that’s fine. What matters is building a grade that works for what’s going on top. We cut and fill to create level patio areas, building pads, and usable yard space while maintaining slope away from the home’s foundation. On Sea to Sky properties, we account for freeze-thaw movement and seasonal ground saturation in how we design and compact the subbase. Every grade plan is tied to the finished surface above it — whether that’s concrete pavers, a timber structure, or a lawn area.

When a patio, retaining wall, or outdoor structure is going in, the excavation phase sets the depth, compaction, and sub-base spec for the whole build. We excavate to the required depth for paver base or concrete work, compact in lifts, and install geo fabric where needed to prevent base migration over time. On properties with limited access – narrow side yards, gated entries, steeply sloped backyards – we use compact track equipment suited to tight residential conditions. The goal is a stable, properly prepared base that won’t shift, settle, or heave over time. Check out our Patio & Hardscape services.

Drainage is the detail that determines whether a backyard lasts. We install French drains, catch basins, channel drains, and perforated pipe systems as part of our grade and prep work. On sloped North Shore lots, we design positive drainage patterns that direct water away from structures, retaining walls, and your home. Getting drainage right at the earthworks stage protects everything built above it – patio surfaces, foundations, and retaining walls. We don’t treat drainage as an afterthought; it’s engineered into the grade from the start.

Excavation North Vancouver and across the North Shore is never the same project twice. Every lot has different slope conditions, soil composition, and drainage challenges. We start by walking the site and understanding the full scope of what’s being built before we move a single bucket of material. The earthworks phase is scoped and sequenced alongside the build above it — so the grading, drainage, and compaction are designed to support the patio, structure, or hardscaping that follows.

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We take pride in our work and the relationships we build with our clients. Here’s what some of them have to say about their experience with Backyard Solutions Ltd.