FAQ
Common Questions About Excavation, Land Clearing & Site Work on Vancouver Island
Not sure what’s involved in your project, or what to expect when hiring an excavating contractor? Here are answers to the questions Brian hears most often. If yours isn’t here, call or text directly at 250-619-2768 — he’s happy to talk it through.
General Questions
Do I need a permit for excavation or site work on my property?
It depends on what you’re doing. In most BC municipalities, work like grading, land clearing, driveway construction, and retaining walls under a certain height typically don’t require a permit for residential properties — but there are exceptions. Foundation excavation for a new structure almost always requires a building permit. Work near property lines, watercourses, or sensitive areas may require additional approvals. Brian can help you think through what your specific project might require, and it’s always worth a quick call to your local municipality or the City of Nanaimo’s building department to confirm before starting.
Do you work with homeowners directly, or only with contractors?
Both. A significant portion of Brian’s work is directly with homeowners — people managing their own projects, preparing their property for sale, or simply reclaiming land that’s gotten overgrown or unmanageable. You don’t need a general contractor to hire Dandy Excavations. If you’re an owner-builder or just need excavation or clearing work done, you can call Brian directly and he’ll work with you from start to finish.
How do I get a quote?
Call or text Brian at 250-619-2768, or use the contact form. For most jobs, he’ll want to visit the site in person — a 10-minute walk around the property tells him far more than photos or descriptions, and it means the quote reflects what’s actually there. Site visits are free and come with no obligation.
What areas do you serve?
Dandy Excavations serves the Mid Vancouver Island region, including Nanaimo, Cedar, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan and surrounding islands. If you’re in the surrounding area and not sure whether you’re in the service area, just ask — Brian is flexible for the right job.
Are you insured?
Yes. Dandy Excavations Inc. carries appropriate liability insurance for the work performed. If you need confirmation of coverage for a project, just ask when you call.
Excavation & Site Prep
How deep can you excavate?
Equipment capability isn’t usually the limiting factor for residential work — soil conditions, groundwater, and site access are more commonly what shapes the approach. For typical residential projects like foundations, trenches, and drainage work, depth requirements are well within standard equipment reach. Brian will assess your specific needs and conditions during the site visit.
What happens to the excavated material?
That depends on the job. Clean native soil that’s suitable for fill is often retained on-site for backfilling elsewhere on the property. Material that can’t be reused — organics, contaminated soil, oversized rock — is either hauled off-site or disposed of appropriately. Brian will discuss spoil handling as part of the quote so there are no surprises.
Can you work near my septic system or underground utilities?
Yes, but this requires care and proper planning. Before any excavation begins, underground utilities should be located — BC One Call (1-800-474-6886) provides a free locate service and should always be contacted before digging. If work is near a septic system, Brian will want to know the approximate location of the tank and field. He works carefully around existing services and adjusts the approach as needed to protect them.
What time of year is best for excavation work on Vancouver Island?
Spring through fall is generally the most favorable period, when soils are drier and access is easier. That said, excavation work happens year-round on Vancouver Island — even in wet conditions, with appropriate care and planning. Some jobs are actually easier in winter on clay-heavy soils that firm up in the cold. If you have a timeline in mind, talk to Brian about what’s realistic for your specific site and the time of year.
Driveways & Drainage
How long does a gravel driveway last?
A properly built gravel driveway — good base, correct compaction, proper crown and drainage — can last many years with minimal maintenance. The main enemies are poor drainage (water undermines the base), insufficient base depth (the driveway sinks into soft ground), and lack of edging (gravel migrates sideways). Most failing driveways weren’t built right to begin with. Brian builds driveways with longevity in mind, which is why proper base work and drainage aren’t optional extras — they’re part of the job.
My driveway gets soft and rutted every spring. Is that fixable?
Usually yes, and often without starting from scratch. Springtime softness is typically a drainage and base problem — either water isn’t moving away from the driveway surface, or the base material under the gravel isn’t providing adequate support. Regrading, adding base material, and improving side drainage often resolve it significantly. Brian can assess what’s happening and recommend whether regrading will do the job or whether more substantial base work is needed.
Do I need a culvert for my driveway?
If your driveway crosses a drainage ditch — even a shallow one — a culvert is almost always the right answer. Without one, water either backs up on one side of the driveway or erodes material from underneath it over time. Proper culvert sizing and installation is a small cost relative to the damage a missing or undersized culvert causes. If you’re building a new driveway, Brian will assess whether a culvert is needed as part of the planning process.
Blackberry & Land Clearing
How quickly do blackberries come back after removal?
With proper mechanical removal — crowns and root systems extracted, not just cut — regrowth is significantly reduced compared to cutting or grinding. Some regrowth from remaining root fragments or dormant seeds is possible in the first season or two, and monitoring and prompt removal of any new shoots is worthwhile. The key is establishing ground cover quickly after clearing: seeding grass or planting cover crops takes the space before blackberries can re-establish from seed. Brian can advise on the best approach for your specific site after clearing.
Can blackberries be removed by hand?
For a small patch — a few square metres — hand removal with good gloves, loppers, and a mattock is feasible, though time-consuming and physically demanding. For anything larger, or for patches with established crowns (thick, woody bases at ground level), mechanical removal is dramatically more effective and efficient. Hand tools simply can’t extract the crown systems that drive regrowth the way equipment can.
What can I do with the land after blackberry removal?
Almost anything. Cleared land can become lawn, garden beds, a play area, a parking pad, a pathway, a vegetable garden, or simply open usable property. After removal and grading, Brian can help you think through what prep work the ground needs for your intended use — whether that’s topsoil placement, drainage improvements, or simply a clean fine grade to seed into.
Retaining Walls
What type of retaining wall is best for my property?
It depends on the height of the wall, the soil conditions, the load being retained, and what looks right for the setting. Natural rock and boulder walls are a popular and durable choice on Vancouver Island — they handle significant loads, drain naturally, and age well in the landscape. For each project, Brian will assess the specific conditions and recommend what will perform best for your situation. There’s no single right answer — the right wall for a garden terrace is different from the right wall for a road embankment.
Do retaining walls need drainage behind them?
Yes — always. This is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of retaining wall construction, and it’s one of the most important. Without drainage behind the wall, water pressure builds in the soil during wet weather and pushes the wall outward. Over time, this causes leaning, cracking, and eventual failure. Every retaining wall Brian builds includes appropriate drainage behind it — gravel backfill, weeping tile where needed, and outlet locations that let water escape safely. It’s not optional; it’s what makes a wall last.
How tall can a retaining wall be before it needs an engineer?
In BC, retaining walls over 1.2 metres (approximately 4 feet) in height generally require a building permit and may require engineering sign-off, depending on the municipality and the loads involved. Walls near property lines, structures, or slopes may require engineering at lower heights. This varies by jurisdiction, so it’s worth checking with your local municipality. Brian can advise on what’s typical for projects in the Nanaimo area.
Still have questions?
Call or text Brian directly at 250 619-2768. He’s the owner and the operator — one conversation gives you straight answers from the person who’ll actually be doing the work.