Excavation Services

Dig, shape, rebuild: our in-house excavation division has been serving Nanaimo and area with quality excavation work at reasonable rates since 1991.

Excavating & earth-moving

Another way Island Efficient Homes can streamline your homebuilding project is by utilizing our in-house excavation division. Because we don't have to rely on subcontracting excavation work, we can pass on the cost savings of less overhead back to you.

But you don’t have to be building a new ICF home or undertaking a renovation project to take advantage of our quality excavation work. Our experienced excavation division can help you with all types of outdoor projects.

Here’s an example of the many earth-moving projects our heavy-duty and compact equipment can perform:

  • Foundation excavation
  • Trenching for site services and irrigation
  • Site clearing and preparation
  • Landscaping preparation
  • Retaining wall base preparation, including ICF retaining walls
  • Drain tile and perimeter drain trenching
  • Backfilling and grading
  • Septic field excavation
  • Site access and road excavation

Our range of equipment includes:

  • Large, steel-tracked excavators
  • Mini-class rubber-tracked excavators
  • Skid-steer (Bobcat) loaders
  • Various hydraulic attachments, from rock breaking to compaction

Dig up some dirt on our excavation division

For complete details on the excavation services offered by Island Efficient Homes, visit our sister site at IslandExcavation.ca or get in touch to inquire about your project.

Proud & Local Owner/Operator

Meet your operator

Our excavation work is performed by Chris Sarauer, owner and primary operator at Island Efficient Excavating.

Chris is an experienced equipment operator who has been operating machinery for 20+ years, and brings a careful eye and steady hand to every project. Chris takes pride in operating top-of-the-line equipment that offers reliable performance on each and every job.

Call Chris directly at 250-755-1865 to chat about turning your outdoor plans into your outdoor reality.

Customer Review

“I would recommend him to anyone!”

When I met Chris he told me he had been operating equipment for more years than he cared to remember :) After doing all that I asked him to do and a bit more he left our property tidy and for less money than expected. He did a great job and I would recommend him to anyone!
- MK

8 reasons to choose Island Efficient Excavating

With so many Nanaimo excavation contractors to choose from, we thought we’d help you decide with a quick list of 8 reasons to consider Island Efficient Excavating for your next earth-moving project.

We’ll get it done on time

We work hard to meet your deadlines and coordinate with other subcontractors and trades so your project gets completed on schedule.

You’ll be in the loop

Honest and open communication is key to successfully completing a project. We’ll keep you up to date on the status of your job throughout.

You’re our #1 priority

We take a customer-first approach to excavation work, and do our best to finish your project to your preferences, needs, and time frame.

We’ve got the right gear

We have a large range of equipment at our disposal so we’re able to select the right tool for your job. From tight spots to tough ground, we can dig it.

We can coordinate materials

In addition to removing and disposing of onsite material and debris, we can provide and install all types of soil or gravel, from engineering fill to topsoil.

There’s nothing we can’t dig

We can handle all of your outdoor excavation needs, including site clearing, landscaping, foundation prep, drain tile trenching, backfilling, and grading.

You’ll enjoy the work for years

We’ll complete your outdoor recreation and relaxation projects, including garden beds, retaining walls, and custom decks, so you can enjoy them for years to come.

Your wallet will thank you

Island Efficient Excavating offers competitive hourly rates, with discounts available on larger projects. Since day one we’ve offered quality work at reasonable rates.

We’ve been providing the fine folks in the Nanaimo area with quality excavating since 1991. The city has changed a lot since then, but our work ethic remains as strong as ever!

Chris Sarauer, Owner & Equipment Operator

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much room do you need to give your machine access?

    Our E42 Bobcat Mini Excavator fits easily through a 6-foot opening, so most backyards are no problem. This machine offers a lot of grunt for such a small footprint.

  • I have a lilac tree that I love – can you help me move it?

    Yes! We have moved a LOT of trees and large shrubs over the years. A bit of planning and a chat with our landscape designer is a good idea before any relocation, but almost all are possible.

  • When is the best time to book for a summer landscaping project?

    The earlier, the better! When scheduling our projects, we typically work on a first-come, first-serve basis. The warmer months can book up quickly, so it's best to get in touch well ahead of time whenever possible.