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Trusted Pittsburgh Excavation Contractor - 30+ Years Experience
At Townsend & Skursky Demolition Pittsburgh, we’ve been the trusted excavating contractor for local families since 1994. We understand that Pittsburgh’s unique terrain—from Oakland’s steep hillsides to flood-prone river areas—requires more than just moving dirt.
With over 30 years of local expertise, we provide specialized excavation services that account for our region’s specific geology, drainage systems, and weather patterns:
- Comprehensive Grading: Proper site preparation for new construction and steep neighborhood slopes.
- Drainage Solutions: Fixing storm drain failures and preventing runoff issues caused by heavy spring rains.
- Driveway Leveling: Restoring property stability after harsh winters or improper previous installations.
As a family-owned business serving everywhere from historic Shadyside to Cranberry Township, we combine competitive pricing with meticulous attention to detail. When you partner with us, you get excavation specialists who understand Pittsburgh’s landscape and treat your property like our own.
Excavation Contractor Services
Excavation Services
Our excavation services encompass everything from residential foundation digging to large-scale commercial site preparation. We handle basement excavations, utility line installations, septic system installations, and foundation preparations with precision and efficiency. Our excavation services include careful coordination with utility companies to avoid underground hazards, proper soil removal and disposal, and detailed grading to ensure optimal drainage.
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Site Clearing
Our site clearing services remove trees, brush, debris, and unwanted structures while preserving valuable landscape features and maintaining environmental compliance. Our Pittsburgh site clearing services include selective tree removal, brush clearing, debris hauling, and surface preparation. From small residential lots to expansive commercial developments, we tailor our site clearing approach to meet your specific project requirements and timeline.
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Grading and Leveling
Our grading and leveling services include rough grading for new construction, finish grading for landscaping, driveway grading, and drainage solutions. We use laser-guided equipment to achieve precise slopes and elevations, ensuring water flows away from structures and prevents pooling. Our team coordinates with landscape architects, engineers, and other contractors to create seamless transitions between different project phases.
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Comprehensive Excavation and Site Preparation
We provide full-scale excavation for residential and commercial projects throughout the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Our excavation services include utility line protection, proper soil removal and disposal, and coordination with local permits and inspections. We maintain relationships with Pittsburgh-area suppliers and disposal sites, ensuring efficient project completion while keeping costs competitive for our clients.
Request QuoteThree Decades of Pittsburgh Excavation Excellence
Since 1994, our family has been serving Pittsburgh’s excavation needs through economic changes, neighborhood revitalizations, and everything from the construction boom of the 2000s to recent urban development projects. We’ve watched areas like the Strip District transform from industrial warehouses to trendy residential spaces, and we’ve been there every step of the way, providing excavating services that adapt to our city’s evolving needs.
Our local expertise includes working on historic properties in neighborhoods like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, where we must carefully navigate around century-old utilities and respect the character of established communities. We’ve also contributed to new developments in growing areas like Cranberry Township and Robinson, where modern excavation techniques meet contemporary building standards.
From septic tank installations to retaining wall foundations, our experience spans every type of excavation project. We understand the importance of safety protocols when working around existing foundation systems and coordinate with plumber services when utility work intersects with our excavation projects.
Community-Rooted Excavation Services
As a Pittsburgh-based family business, we understand that our reputation depends on the relationships we build with neighbors, contractors, and local suppliers. We’ve worked alongside the same concrete suppliers in the South Hills for over two decades and maintain partnerships with local engineers who understand our region’s unique geological challenges.
Our commitment to the community extends beyond business relationships. We’ve provided excavating services for local schools, assisted with storm damage cleanup after severe weather events, and supported neighborhood improvement projects that make Pittsburgh a better place to live and work. During winter months, our snow removal services help keep construction sites accessible for ongoing projects.
We serve as one of the leading local excavation companies in greater Pittsburgh, working with both residential and commercial clients. Our contracting LLC maintains all necessary licensing to operate throughout the region, and we coordinate with trenching companies and hydro excavation companies when specialized services are required.
Proven Track Record with Local Success Stories
One of our most memorable projects involved helping a Brookline family whose basement flooded repeatedly during spring rains. The previous contractor had focused on waterproofing without addressing the underlying drainage issues. We excavated around the foundation, installed proper drainage systems, and regraded the entire yard to direct water away from the home. Three years later, they’ve experienced no flooding issues, even during Pittsburgh’s wettest seasons.
In East Liberty, we worked with a local business owner who needed emergency excavation after a water main break damaged the parking area. Our team mobilized within hours, coordinated with Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and had the area excavated and ready for repairs the same day. This quick response prevented weeks of lost business during a critical time.
Our basement excavation contractors have successfully completed dozens of residential projects, while our commercial excavation services have supported major construction projects throughout the region. When clients search for excavation companies in my area, they consistently find our name at the top of local reviews and recommendations.
Licensed, Insured, and Committed to Excellence
Our excavation services come with full licensing and comprehensive insurance coverage, giving you peace of mind throughout your project. We maintain all required permits and stay current with Pittsburgh’s building codes and safety regulations, which change periodically as the city modernizes its infrastructure requirements.
We stand behind our work with guarantees that reflect our confidence in our excavation techniques and our commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether you need soil stabilization for challenging terrain, trench excavation for utility work, or general excavation support for road construction projects, our team brings professional expertise to every job.
When you choose our family business, you’re not just hiring an excavating contractor – you’re partnering with Pittsburgh residents who care about this community’s future. Our excavator operators are trained in the latest safety protocols and work efficiently to minimize disruption to your landscape and surrounding areas.
Our Pittsburgh Service Area Coverage
We proudly serve all of Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County communities, including:
- North Hills (Cranberry Township, Wexford, Pine Township)
- South Hills (Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park)
- East End (Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, East Liberty, Brookline)
- West End (Robinson, Sewickley, Moon Township)
- City neighborhoods (Lawrenceville, Strip District, Bloomfield, Mount Washington)
What Happens Next?
Free Consultation
We’ll visit your property to assess your excavation needs.
Detailed Estimate
Receive a comprehensive quote with timeline and materials breakdown.
Project Planning
We coordinate permits, utilities, and scheduling for seamless execution.
Professional Completion
Your excavation project completed on time and on budget.
Ready to Start Your Pittsburgh Excavation Project?
Don’t let drainage problems, uneven driveways, or site preparation challenges disrupt your property plans. With over 30 years of local excavation experience, we understand exactly what Pittsburgh properties need to thrive in our unique climate and terrain.
Ready to get started?
Call (412) 912-2072 now or visit https://townsendskurskydemolition.com/pittsburgh/ to schedule your free excavation consultation. Let’s discuss how our Pittsburgh excavation expertise can solve your property challenges with the quality and reliability that only comes from three decades of local experience.
Serving Pittsburgh with pride since 1994 – Your trusted local excavating contractor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a demolition job take in Pittsburgh?
Most residential teardowns take one to three days of active work. Permits and utility disconnects usually add one to three weeks on the front end, which is why we start that process immediately.
Do I need a permit to tear down my own garage?
Yes. Detached structures still require a demolition permit in the City of Pittsburgh. We handle the filing as part of the job.
What happens to the debris?
We haul everything off site and dispose of it at approved facilities. Concrete, metal, and clean fill are recycled where possible.
Do you test for asbestos?
Older structures typically require an asbestos survey before demolition. We coordinate the inspection and, if anything is found, the abatement before work begins.
Will you fill in the hole after the building is gone?
Yes. Backfill and grading are part of the scope on most jobs. Confirm it in your estimate so there are no surprises.
Do you work on occupied commercial buildings?
Yes. Interior demolition can be phased and scheduled around business hours to keep the rest of the building running.