Driveway & Pad Excavation in Cleveland, OH

Driveway and pad excavation is the work that goes under a new driveway, patio, garage slab, shed or pool deck: digging out topsoil and soft clay, shaping the subgrade, and building a compacted stone base. The concrete, asphalt or pavers on top get the attention, but in Cleveland's wet clay the base decides whether a surface stays flat or heaves and cracks after a few winters.

Why clay subgrade is a problem

The glacial till soils across Northeast Ohio are clay-rich and slow-draining, with seasonal perched water close to the surface. Wet clay loses strength, and water trapped under a slab freezes and expands. Cleveland Hopkins averages 63.8 inches of snow and January lows around 22 degrees, so freeze-thaw cycles are frequent. A good base gets soft material out, gives water a way to drain, and puts a uniform, compacted layer of stone under the surface.

Driveways

For a new or replacement driveway we remove the old surface if needed, excavate to the depth the paving contractor specifies, compact the subgrade, lay fabric where the clay is soft, and place stone in compacted lifts. HomeGuide puts a dirt pad for a driveway, patio or deck at $1,000 to $2,500. Removing an old concrete drive adds about $1 to $2 per square foot, per HomeAdvisor.

Patios, slabs and sheds

Patio and slab pads follow the same steps on a smaller scale, with careful attention to pitch so water runs off and away from the house. Shed and garage pads are set level and slightly above surrounding grade. We work to the paver installer's or concrete finisher's specs, or recommend depths if you are hiring them later.

Pools and outdoor living

For pool decks, outdoor kitchens and hardscape projects, we dig, haul and set grades for the whole area so drainage works across the finished surfaces, not just under one slab.

Working with your paving contractor

Most homeowners hire us for the dig-out and base and a separate company for the concrete, asphalt or pavers. We agree on base depth, stone type, finished elevation and drainage pitch with that installer before we start, then have the base ready on their schedule. If you have not picked an installer yet, we can recommend typical depths and leave the base protected until they arrive.