5 Best Excavation Services in Melbourne to Kickstart Your Project
When it comes to starting a construction or landscaping project, the groundwork—literally—sets the stage for everything else. Proper excavation is crucial whether you’re building a home or redesigning your outdoor space.
When I first planned my landscaping project, I realized how vital it was to choose an excavation service I could trust. Questions swirled: Who would do the job right without delays? How could I stay within budget while ensuring top-notch work?
After weeks of research and consultations, I discovered Melbourne’s top excavation services. These companies deliver expertise, reliability, and efficiency to get your project off the ground—literally.
How much does an excavation cost in Melbourne?
Excavation in Melbourne can cost AU$1,500 to AU$5,000 for small-scale jobs. Meanwhile, larger projects can cost over AU$10,000. Factors like soil type, site accessibility, and equipment requirements can impact the final price.
1. Jim’s Diggers
Contact: +61131546
Business hours: Mon-Sun: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Jim’s Diggers has become a household name in Melbourne’s excavation scene, and it’s easy to see why. A neighbor once needed to install a new water system on their property, which required precise trenching in a tight backyard.
What sets them apart is their adaptability. Whether you need post-hole digging for a backyard fence or leveling for a new driveway, they seem to have the right equipment and expertise.
Their compact Dingo Mini Diggers are especially useful for suburban homes where access is often a challenge. A friend who recently landscaped their garden mentioned how these machines navigated narrow pathways with ease, avoiding any damage to existing structures.
Flexibility is another big win for Jim’s Diggers. I’ve heard stories of homeowners needing last-minute changes to their plans—like switching from a simple leveling job to adding drainage trenches—and the team adapted without fuss.
It’s reassuring to know that they’re willing to accommodate specific needs rather than sticking rigidly to the initial scope.
However, as a franchise, service quality can depend on the operator in your area. A colleague once had a mixed experience with delays on a job, though the local team quickly resolved the issue and made up for lost time.
Good Quote
“Jeff was professional in every way. Jeff provided helpful advice on our landscaping project, provided a good quote, and kept in touch with us through the whole process. All round lovely guy to deal with.”
– Dave Mackrell, Google Review
Excellent Knowledge
“Richie and Gavin were both very friendly and polite with an excellent knowledge of landscaping. They both took a lot of time and care to talk us through the various components of our landscaping plan.”
– Phillipa Taylor, Google Review
2. Orb Excavations & Landscaping
Address: 3 Carbora Dl, Greensborough
Contact: +61410336410
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sat: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
One of the most trusted names in Greensborough for earthmoving and landscaping, Orb Excavations & Landscaping has built a reputation known to many in the local community. It’s no surprise that they’re frequently recommended by residents and builders alike.
With three generations of experience, they offer a wide range of services. This includes excavation, retaining walls, and pool removal – all delivered with professionalism and precision.
We were particularly impressed with their attention to detail and equipment. Their skilled team utilizes modern machinery to handle everything from tight spaces to large-scale projects.
Also worth noting is their strong reputation for customer service. Clients consistently praise their reliability, clear communication, and ability to exceed expectations.
Experience was Great
“Sam and his team from Orb Excavations and Landscaping replaced our dated and broken retaining wall at our home in Ivanhoe. The results are fabulous, they have transformed our tired looking outdoor area into a more refined entertainment area. The whole experience was great. Sam and his team provided a clear overview of what they were going to do, they involved us as much as we wanted throughout the process, and they took the time to discuss the project all the way. We highly recommend these guys; we are delighted with their work.”
– Anne-Marie Becket, Google Review
Professional
“I recently had the pleasure of having Sam and his team to replace my 40yrs old retaining wall, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, they were professional, courteous, punctual, and attentive to every detail of the project.”
– Ying-An Q, Google Review
3. Skye Excavations Pty Ltd
Contact: +61419316474
Business hours:
- Mon-Sat: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sun: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Skye Excavations Pty Ltd has been a cornerstone of Melbourne’s excavation and earthmoving industry since 1996. With decades of experience under their belt, they’ve built a reputation for delivering precision and professionalism across a diverse range of projects.
Their services are impressively versatile. Their offerings span from bulk and detailed excavation to site cuts and landscape preparation. They can even do stormwater drainage and roadworks.
What sets them apart is their fleet of modern machinery. From 1.5-tonne mini excavators to 30-tonne machines, they have the tools to handle complex projects efficiently. They even have posi-tracks, tip trucks, and floats!
Clients frequently highlight their reliability and quality of work. Many commend the team for their punctuality, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to the unique demands of each project.
An opportunity for enhancement could be providing more insight into their completed projects. Including detailed examples or case studies on their website would help potential clients better understand the scope of their expertise.
Experience was Outstanding
“We have worked with Skye Excavations in almost all of our construction projects. From the moment we engaged their services, the experience was outstanding. The variety of options available catered perfectly to our project needs.”
– AlphaQ Constructions, Google Review
Affordable and Honest
“Skye Excavations delivered on time and with professionalism every step of the way. Shane explained all aspects of the job and everything was completed to a high standard of excellence. Very friendly, knowledgeable, affordable, fair and honest. I would highly recommend Skye Excavations for all your digging needs big or small. 5 stars all the way !!”
– Sophia K, Google Review
4. ABC Mini Excavations Melbourne
Contact: +61405700650
Business hours: Mon-Sun: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
ABC Mini Excavations Melbourne is a well-regarded provider of tight-access excavation services. They specialize in small-scale projects where precision and maneuverability are key.
They offer an impressive range of services, including post-hole digging, utility trenching, and landscaping preparation.
They also handle small-scale demolition work. A friend of mine shared a story about hiring Techniblock to remove an old garden shed as part of a larger landscaping project. The team arrived on time and carefully dismantled it without causing any damage to the garden.
Despite the shed being adjacent to their main house and a beloved flower bed, the team worked meticulously to ensure no damage occurred to the surroundings.
One of their standout qualities is their expertise in tight-access jobs, made possible by their modern equipment and skilled operators. Their fleet includes mini diggers and excavators designed to handle spaces with limited access, ensuring efficiency without sacrificing precision.
Great Communication
“Very impressed customer. Darren was a pleasure to work with doing multiple tricky excavations at Illawong retirement village in Patterson lakes. I’ve used a few different excavators in my time and found him from positive google reviews and so glad I did as I won’t be calling anyone else from now on. Really friendly guy too and he went above and beyond and great communication throughout the whole process, rare these days. Couldn’t recommend him enough, guarantee he will impress you too. If you read this Darren thanks again and will be seeing you soon.”
– Ben Blanks, Google Review
On Time
“Darren from ABC Mini Excavations was prompt, on time and worked diligently throughout the day digging a 60 metre trench through 4 of our Neighbours backyard.”
– Leanne Stien, Google Review
5. RDH Excavations
Contact: +61490850174
Business hours: Mon-Fri: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
RDH Excavations has carved out a strong reputation in Melbourne’s competitive earthmoving industry thanks to its blend of technical expertise and personalized service.
What sets them apart is their ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between small-scale residential projects and high-end collaborations with luxury builders and landscapers—a rare versatility in the excavation business.
One of the clients we talked to hired them for a site cut in preparation for building their new home and praised the team’s precision and commitment to minimizing disruption.
The project involved working around an existing driveway and several mature trees. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the RDH team carefully planned their excavation. They used smaller, more maneuverable equipment to work around obstacles.
What really differentiates RDH Excavations from others is its ability to work on luxury projects. Its partnerships with high-end builders and landscapers show that it can deliver not just functional results but also a polished finish that complements sophisticated designs.
That said, one area for potential improvement could be their availability for urgent or fast-track projects. While RDH is known for sticking to timelines, clients with pressing deadlines might appreciate more flexibility or options for prioritizing expedited work.
Workmanship was Amazing
“Riley From RDH was referred to us from our Builder & from day one we were impressed with his professionalism. We made several changes to our design and Riley was accommodating all the way through our project and played a big part in helping our design layout. Not only were we happy with his professionalism, his workmanship was amazing, we were stoked with the finished product. Riley will be the only one we will use for future excavations and we would highly recommend him to anyone!”
– Dan Hooper, Google Review
Better than Expectations
“Excellent service! I would have given 7 stars if that option was available. Riley and team are exceptional and get the work done the way you want or even better than your expectations. Great work mate!”
– Solomon Anup, Google Review