Hear from Our Customers
You get a stable foundation that won’t shift, settle, or surprise you later. Your drainage works exactly as planned, directing water away from structures and preventing the pooling issues that plague so many Long Island properties.
No more wondering if your contractor really understands what’s beneath the surface. We know Shirley’s soil conditions inside and out—from the sandy patches that need extra stabilization to the clay-heavy areas that require specialized drainage solutions.
Your project stays on schedule because we plan for what we’ll actually find, not just what the blueprints show.
Rolling Hills Property Services Inc. has been serving Shirley and Suffolk County property owners for years, building our reputation on projects that work the way they’re supposed to. We’re the locally-owned company that homeowners and property managers call when they need excavation done right.
We’ve learned Suffolk County’s soil conditions through hands-on experience, not textbooks. From the sandy soils near the coast to the clay-heavy areas inland, we know what equipment works where and how to adjust our approach for each unique site.
You get contractors who show up when promised, communicate clearly about what we find, and deliver results that last.
We start with a thorough site assessment before any digging begins. This means identifying utilities, testing soil conditions, and planning for drainage—the groundwork that prevents problems later.
Next comes the actual excavation using equipment matched to your specific soil type and project requirements. We don’t use the same approach for every job because every site in Shirley presents different challenges.
Throughout the process, you get regular updates on what we’re finding and any adjustments needed. When we’re done, your site is properly graded, compacted, and ready for whatever comes next—whether that’s construction, landscaping, or utility installation.
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Your excavation includes complete site preparation from initial clearing through final grading. We handle tree and debris removal, soil testing, and utility line identification before any major digging begins.
You get proper drainage solutions designed for Shirley’s specific conditions. Long Island’s proximity to water means drainage isn’t optional—it’s essential for preventing the foundation and flooding issues that cost property owners thousands later.
We also handle all the details that other contractors skip: soil compaction testing, grade verification, and cleanup that leaves your property ready for the next phase of your project. Every job includes assistance with local permits and compliance with Suffolk County regulations.
Most residential excavation projects in Shirley take 3-7 days, depending on the scope and soil conditions we encounter. A standard foundation excavation usually wraps up in 3-4 days, while larger projects involving significant land clearing or complex drainage work can extend to a week or more.
The timeline depends heavily on what we find beneath the surface. Shirley’s varied soil conditions mean some areas excavate quickly while others require more careful work to maintain stability. We always provide realistic timeframes upfront based on our site assessment, so you can plan accordingly.
Weather also plays a role, especially during Long Island’s wet seasons when clay soils become more challenging to work with safely.
Shirley sits in an area where soil conditions can vary significantly even within the same property. You’ll typically encounter a mix of sandy soils closer to the water and heavier clay soils inland, often with layers of fill material from previous development.
The sandy areas excavate easily but require careful attention to stability and proper compaction. Clay-heavy sections present different challenges—they’re stable when dry but become sticky and difficult to work when wet, which affects both our equipment choices and project timing.
We also frequently encounter tree roots, buried debris, and occasional rock formations that weren’t obvious from surface inspection. That’s why we conduct thorough soil testing before major excavation begins, so we can adjust our approach and keep your project on schedule.
Yes, we assist with all necessary permits for excavation work in Suffolk County. Most residential excavation projects require building permits, and some may need additional approvals depending on the depth, proximity to utilities, or environmental considerations.
We know Suffolk County’s permit requirements and can guide you through the application process. For standard foundation excavation, we typically handle the permit paperwork as part of our service, ensuring everything meets local codes before we start digging.
Larger commercial projects or excavation near wetlands may require additional environmental permits. We’ll identify these requirements during our initial consultation and help coordinate with the appropriate agencies to keep your project moving forward.
Drainage is critical in Shirley due to Long Island’s water table and soil conditions. We install temporary drainage systems during excavation to keep work areas dry and prevent soil instability that could compromise your project.
For permanent drainage solutions, we design systems based on your specific soil type and property grade. This might include French drains, catch basins, or grading modifications that direct water away from structures and prevent the pooling issues common in this area.
We also coordinate with local stormwater management requirements, ensuring your drainage system meets Suffolk County standards. Poor drainage isn’t just an inconvenience—it can undermine foundations and create costly problems later, so we address it properly from the start.
We specialize exclusively in excavation and site preparation, which means we have the specific equipment, expertise, and local knowledge that general contractors often lack. While a general contractor might subcontract excavation work, we handle it directly with our own crews and equipment.
This specialization matters in Shirley where soil conditions can be tricky. We know which equipment works best in different soil types, how to handle unexpected conditions, and how to properly prepare sites for whatever comes next in your project.
You also get more direct communication and accountability. When issues arise—and they often do in excavation work—you’re dealing directly with the specialists who can solve them quickly rather than going through multiple layers of contractors.
We price excavation based on the actual scope of work required for your specific site conditions. After our initial assessment, we provide detailed estimates that account for soil type, access challenges, disposal requirements, and any special conditions we identify.
Our pricing includes all the essentials: site preparation, proper excavation, soil testing, basic drainage considerations, and cleanup. We don’t surprise you with extra charges for “unforeseen conditions” that experienced contractors should anticipate during the assessment phase.
For complex projects or challenging soil conditions, we may recommend a time-and-materials approach with clear hourly rates and material costs. This ensures you pay for exactly what your project requires without padding for worst-case scenarios that may not apply to your site.