Excavation in Construction: What to Know Before You Dig

Excavation’s more than pushing dirt around. It’s the first thing you do when you're laying pipe, pouring concrete, or prepping any kind of foundation. In fact, if you're running a skid steer, it’s probably already on your to-list this week.

On smaller job sites, excavation in construction usually means trenching, digging footings, clearing topsoil, or leveling ground. You don’t need a 30-ton machine to do it either, honestly. Just the right attachments and a little know-how.

Attachments are the difference makers. Backhoes, trenchers, land levelers…whatever you strap on, it defines the earthmoving tasks you’re capable of completing. That said, it's also important to know the limitations and choose the right method for the job. 

Work faster, safer, and more efficiently with these tips for jobs like residential foundation digs, utility trenching, and landscape reshaping.

Common Types of Excavation in Construction

Most excavation falls into one of a few categories. Let’s cut through it. Here are the main excavation types in construction and whether your skid steer can pull it off:

• Strip Excavation: Need to clear sod or topsoil? Land levelers, 4-in-1 buckets, or tooth buckets are made for it .Also called cut and fill, this is one of the most common types used to clear topsoil and level uneven terrain.
• Trenching: Essential for laying pipes, cables, or drainage lines. Skid steers with trencher attachments or backhoes are ideal for shallow to mid-depth trench excavation.
• Footings or Post Holes: Auger attachments knock this out fast.
• Basement Digs: A full dig below grade is often too deep for skid steers alone. Let the big iron handle that. You’re not moving 9 feet of Georgia clay with a compact machine. In most cases, these require a larger excavator — although a backhoe attachment may assist in detailed work around the edges or cleanup tasks. Keep it in mind.

The key is matching the excavation and trenching job to the tool. Skid steers don’t do everything…but they do a hell of a lot when you’ve got the right setup. Other forms of excavation, like pit excavation for tanks and vaults, are also possible using auger and backhoe attachments in the right soil conditions and at a reasonable required depth.

What to Know Before Excavating: Your Jobsite Checklist

You can’t just jump in the seat and start cutting. Here’s a quick pre-dig checklist to square away first:

Call 811: Always. Buried lines aren’t something you want to find with a bucket tooth. Hitting a gas, electric, or water line can totally derail your project.
Know Your Soil: Sandy? You’re good. Clay? Plan for slower progress. Loose or wet soil may collapse during trenching.
Choose the Right Attachment: Trencher, backhoe, auger — each one’s made for something different.Trencher attachments handle long, narrow digs efficiently, while augers are better for vertical holes. A backhoe gives you flexibility for both digging and lifting. 
Plan for Soil Management: Make sure you’ve accounted for where the removed soil will go. Piling it too close to an open trench creates collapse risks.
Know the depth rules:  If your trench is deeper than 4 feet, you’re on OSHA’s radar. Don’t ignore that. Deep trenches will need supports to stay up to code.
Prep the Site Surface: Clearing debris and leveling the area can improve machine stability and give your attachments a better starting point.

Skid Steer Attachments That Help Get It Done

The truth is…you don’t need a full-size excavator to move earth. Just gear that’s built right. For smaller sites, a skid steer can become a compact digging machine with excavator attachments for skid steers like:

Each attachment brings versatility to the excavation process in construction. Paired up with the tight maneuverability of a skid steer, you’re looking at more progress with less work. Just be realistic about depth, soil type, and job demands when choosing your equipment.

Final Thoughts

Excavation’s hard work. Big, tough equipment is part of the job. At the same time…that doesn’t necessarily mean you need extra vehicles. When you’re working with a skid steer, you may already have the tool you need. Just add the right attachment and start digging.

Stay safe. Work smart. And if you're not sure which tool gets the job done faster, talk to the Prime Attachments crew. We’ll help you build out a setup that won’t sit on a trailer unused. In fact, it might be a bummer to stop digging.