Home
Excavating. Landscaping. Land Clearing. Done Dandy.
Dandy Excavations Inc. is a Nanaimo-based excavating and land clearing contractor serving homeowners and small contractors throughout Mid Vancouver Island — from Ladysmith and Duncan in the south to Parksville and Qualicum Beach in the north. We handle excavation, land clearing, blackberry removal, driveways, drainage, perimeter drains, Poly-B water line replacement, retaining walls, and landscaping groundwork, all done by owner-operator Brian Hay.
The name says it all. Dandy is an old word for work done properly — with care, skill, and pride in the result. That’s the standard every job is held to, whether it’s a small driveway regrade or a full site clearance and prep. When Brian leaves a site, it’s clean, it’s stable, and it’s ready for whatever comes next.
What We Do
Excavation
Foundation digs, trenching, grading, backfilling, and finish work for residential builds and site improvements.
Land Clearing & Site Prep
Brush clearing, stump removal, grading, and full site preparation — from overgrown lots to build-ready ground.
Blackberry Removal
Complete mechanical removal of invasive Himalayan blackberries — crowns, roots, and all. Not cut back. Removed.
Driveways & Drainage
New driveway construction, regrading, culvert installation, ditching, and drainage solutions built to last.
Perimeter Drain Installation
Foundation protection against Vancouver Island’s heavy rainfall. Perimeter drain installation and replacement — excavation, pipe, drainage rock, and proper outlet, built to last.
Poly-B Water Line Replacement
Insurance problems because of Poly-B? Working with Red Seal plumber Zach Gray at Proactive Property Systems, we deliver complete Poly-B and perimeter drain packages across Mid Vancouver Island.
Retaining Walls & Grading
Rock and boulder retaining walls, slope stabilization, terracing, and precision grading for stable, usable land.
Landscaping
Grading, shaping, rock features, drainage, and yard restoration — the groundwork that makes landscapes perform.
Why Homeowners Choose Dandy Excavations
You Deal Directly With Brian
No office staff, no crew foreman, no miscommunication. When you call, Brian answers. When the machine shows up, it’s Brian running it. One person, accountable for the whole job.
35+ Years of Experience
Brian has worked across Western Canada — from residential lots to major earthworks in remote and challenging conditions. That depth of experience shows in how every job is approached, planned, and executed.
Honest, Straight Communication
You’ll get a clear quote, a realistic timeline, and direct communication if anything changes. No surprises on the invoice, no decisions made without you knowing about them first.
Built for Vancouver Island Conditions
Local soils, seasonal rainfall, steep terrain, clay and rock — Brian knows what works here and what doesn’t. Every job is done with local conditions in mind, not just ideal ones.
Clean Sites, Every Time
A finished job means a clean site — not just completed work surrounded by debris and torn-up ground. Every job ends with cleanup, grading, and a site that looks and functions the way it should.
Right-Sized for Residential Work
As a one-person operation, Brian is accessible, flexible, and focused entirely on your project when he’s on your site. No juggling a dozen jobs at once — your job gets the attention it deserves.
How It Works
You reach out Call, text, or send a message. Tell Brian what you’re working with — he’ll get back to you promptly.
Brian visits your site For most jobs, Brian will come out and walk the property with you. Free, no obligation, and genuinely useful.
You get a straight quote Clear, honest, and based on what’s actually there — not a ballpark figure padded for unknowns.
The work gets done Brian shows up when he says, works efficiently, and keeps you informed. No surprises.
Clean finish, ready for what’s next The site is left clean, stable, and properly graded. Job done — Done Dandy.
Read more about how it works →
Serving Mid Vancouver Island
Dandy Excavations is based in Nanaimo and works throughout the surrounding region. Our service area includes Cedar, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, and Duncan, as well as the communities, islands and rural properties in between. If you’re on Mid Vancouver Island and need excavation, land clearing, or site work done right, we’d be glad to come take a look.
Ready to get started?
Call or text Brian directly at 250 619-2768 to talk through your project. No office, no dispatcher — just a straight conversation with the person who’ll be doing the work. Site visits are free and there’s no obligation to proceed.