#6 Excavation: Shaping the Foundation of Timber Oaks

The excavation of the lot after the well drilling brought the first real transformation of the Timber Oaks site. Tristan and Ethan from Dustin Nagy Excavating arrived with an excavator and Bobcat, using a GPS point provided by DC Gohn to mark the exact footprint of the house. With the corners staked, they calculated the additional space needed for footers, exterior wall access, and the planned grade changes across the site.

Ethan began cutting into the deepest section of the future basement while he and Tristan used a laser level to confirm the foundation floor elevation. As soil came out, he placed it strategically—building up the front of the house and creating a level work surface for upcoming trades. By the end of Day 1, the front elevation had taken shape.

Day 2 focused on refining the excavation toward the garage. Ethan removed unsuitable soil, replaced it with clean fill, and pulled out as many roots as possible. By late afternoon, the foundation floor was flat, compact, and ready for the masons to begin their work. He also created stable work areas beside the garage and behind the house.

What had been expected to require several truckloads of soil removal turned out to be far more efficient. Only a small amount remained to be hauled away, and Ethan noted that additional soil from the masons’ three‑foot‑deep rear footers would likely be reused for stormwater management—welcome news given the cost of trucking material offsite.

Walking the newly cut foundation, Craig could see the full shape of the home emerging: the deepest cut at the front right near the mudroom, the shallowest near the basement walkout and garage corner. The filled front grade now sat level with the well cap, marking the first true outline of the Timber Oaks home. Angie was in town to see it too!

Next, the masons will dig the rear footers, prepare the retaining wall at the left front corner, and excavate the post footers for the steel beams that will span the basement.