Excavation contractor jobsite in Harris County, TX

Photo: i_am_jim (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Harris County, TX Contractor directory

Excavation contractors in Harris County, TX

60 verified excavating and site work contractors serving Harris County.

View contractors

County excavation guide

Ground conditions and project requirements in Harris County

Use this local research to understand soil, seasonal constraints, permits, and jobsite logistics before choosing a contractor.

Skip to 60 contractors
Benchmark Analytics

Excavation Intelligence & Site Metrics

Original Gradeline Research Index
Workable DaysAnnual
263days / year
High production climate; minimal freeze/rain loss.
Site Difficulty0–100 Index
19.9Low Difficulty

Composite of shallow rock, steep slope, wetlands, shrink-swell, and water table.

Haul Cost IndexLogistics
30.9/ 100
Moderate Aggregate Haul based on nearest aggregate quarry and C&D disposal.
Capacity RatioSupply / Demand
100.5units / contractor
30879 units permitted across 233 earthwork firms.
Soil Regime ProfileEPA Ecoregion 34, 75 (Western Gulf Coastal Plain, Southern Coastal Plain)

Gulf Coast Flatwoods & Deltaic Clay

Dominant Soil Order: Alfisols / Vertisols
Parent Material: Quaternary Coastal Deltaic Clay, Silt, and Low-gradient Marine Sand

The Gulf Coast flatwoods and deltaic corridor are defined by low relief, slow surface runoff, and high groundwater tables that often sit within 1 to 3 feet of the surface. Subgrade soils consist of heavy, fat clays (Lake Charles and Beaumont series) with severe shrink-swell characteristics and low unconfined compressive strength. Detention pond excavation, mass drainage ditching, and pump stations represent a huge portion of site earthwork. Saturated ground conditions require the use of wide low-ground-pressure (LGP) tracks and timber crane mats to prevent sinkage. Trenching for deep utilities requires continuous sheet piling or trench shoring combined with well-point dewatering to manage high hydraulic inflow and sand boiling.

Geographic Footprint:Coastal Texas (Harris, Galveston, Jefferson, Brazoria), Coastal Alabama (Mobile, Baldwin)
Geotechnical Baseline

Physical Ground Conditions & Soil Properties

Shallow Bedrock (<50 in)
0.0%of county land area

Deep soil mantle; rock refusal rare for standard basement or trench cuts.

High Shrink-Swell Clay
42.6%expansive soil

Severe expansive clay; pad lime stabilization or undercut replacement typically required.

Median Water Table Depth
22inches from surface

Shallow water table; active dewatering or sumps needed for deep trenching.

Hydric / Wetland Soils
24.5%hydric coverage

Indicates poor natural drainage and potential jurisdictional wetland pockets.

Steep Terrain (Slope >15%)
0.4%of terrain

Predominantly gentle to rolling slopes suitable for wheeled earthmoving.

Septic Severe Limitations
68.5%severe rate

High rate of conventional drainfield limitations; engineered or drip systems often required.

Dominant Soil Textures:Lake Charles ClayBeaumont ClayGessner Silt Loam
Surface Stones / Boulders: 0.0% coverage
Compliance & Permitting

Earthwork Regulations & Permit Thresholds

Stormwater & Erosion Control
TCEQ TPDES Construction General Permit TXR150000

Administers NPDES stormwater discharge coverage for land-disturbing construction activities.

State Threshold:1.00 Acre
Local Threshold:0.00 Acres
Grading Permit: Required locally

Harris County Engineering Department Land Disturbance & HCFCD Detention Approval

Typical review timeframe: 30-45 days.

Onsite Wastewater & Utilities
Harris County Environmental Public Health Division

Jurisdiction over septic tank permits, soil evaluation perk tests, and drainfield sizing.

Housing on Septic:8.4%
Soil Evaluation:OSSF site evaluation and engineered plan for tight deltaic clays
Access Septic Permitting Portal →
811 One-Call Requirements
Texas 811

Mandatory notice window: 48 hours prior to mechanized earthwork (excluding weekends and legal holidays).

Licensing & Clearing Permits
Contractor License Threshold: Required for earthwork contracts exceeding $0 in Texas.
Burn Permit Season: Strict county-wide burn bans; commercial land clearing burning banned in metro zonesAuthority: Harris County Fire Marshal Office
Weather & Ecology

Seasonal Constraints & Clearing Windows

Design Frost Depth
0inches

Building code minimum depth for footing frost protection.

Frozen Ground Days
0days / year

Typical days with sub-freezing soil conditions affecting digging.

Wet Season Months
May, June, August, September

Peak precipitation window requiring sediment traps and soil aeration.

Spring Load Restrictions (SLR)
Not Applicable

Axle-weight load restrictions on secondary roads during spring thaw.

Supply Chain & Hazards

Logistics, Aggregate Sources & Geohazards

Aggregate & Material Supply
Texas Materials San Jacinto Sand & Gravel

Nearest active quarry: 16.4 miles haul distance.(14 active crushed stone/sand operations within 50 miles).

Fairbanks Landfill C&D Facility

Nearest C&D landfill: 14 miles haul.Est. tipping fee: $42.00 / ton.

Flood & Hazard Overlay
FEMA 100-Yr Flood:24.5%(100% NFHL digital map coverage)
NWI Wetlands:14.8%jurisdictional coverage
Karst Terrain & Sinkhole Risk: Low

0.0% of county underlain by soluble carbonate rock formations.

HUC8 Primary Watersheds:Buffalo-San Jacinto, Spring, San Jacinto
Public conservation land: 3.2% (USGS PAD-US).

Area-specific FAQ

Do I need to call before digging in Harris County?

Yes. You should contact Texas 811 at least 2 working days before any digging so underground lines can be marked.

How deep do footings need to be in Texas?

In Texas, footings typically need to extend below the frost line, which is around 12 inches here. A local contractor will confirm the code requirement for your site.

Verified local listings

Excavation contractors serving Harris County

60 verified listings (showing first 20)

Nearby counties

Cities in this county