Frequently asked
Port Alberni Excavation FAQ
Common questions Port Alberni property owners ask Port Alberni Excavating about permits, costs, drainage and driveways — answered plainly.
- Do you need a permit for excavation in Port Alberni?
- Yes, for most structural work. Building permits inside Port Alberni go through the City under Building Bylaw No. 5077, and the standard application fee is $100. We pull the permit as part of the job — see the permits guide for what needs one.
- What does it cost to hire an excavator in the Alberni Valley?
- Machine rates run from about $142 to $169 an hour for a mini excavator, up to $257 to $398 an hour for the largest machine classes, operator included, per the Island Equipment Owners Association's suggested rate guide. We quote each job on site, based on the machine class and time it needs — see the cost guide for the full rate table.
- Who issues permits for Sproat Lake, Beaver Creek and Cherry Creek?
- The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District issues building permits for rural property in its electoral areas, not the City of Port Alberni. We confirm which authority applies before we start your project.
- What is the City's Soil Removal and Deposit Regulation Bylaw?
- Bylaw No. 3947 regulates the removal or deposit of soil, sand, gravel, rock or other material from or onto land inside Port Alberni. We check this bylaw before we move material off your lot.
- What happens to the soil and waste from a job?
- We haul it to the Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre, where fees are set by material and weight — construction and demolition waste, for example, runs $185 a tonne with a $15 minimum. No clean-soil or fill rate is published, so we price haul-off for your job separately.
- Do you call before you dig?
- Yes, every time. We submit a locate request to BC 1 Call before any excavation. A locate stays valid for 30 days, and we have to start work within 14 days of the request.
- What's the difference between excavation and site preparation?
- Excavation is digging — a foundation, a basement, a trench. Site preparation is everything around it: clearing, grading and getting a lot ready for the next trade. Most projects need both.
- Do you handle drainage problems?
- Yes. Drainage is one of our core services — we install and repair French drains, perimeter drains and surface grading to move water away from a foundation or a low spot in the yard.
- What areas does Port Alberni Excavating serve?
- Port Alberni Excavating serves Port Alberni, Sproat Lake, Beaver Creek and Cherry Creek across the Alberni Valley.
- Are you insured?
- Yes. We carry $2M liability insurance, we're WorkSafeBC certified, and we pull permits and get them inspected.
- What size of machine do you use for a job?
- It depends on the job. We bring mini excavators for tight residential lots, and larger Class 4 to 12 machines for bigger site work — see the cost guide for the hourly rate by class.
- Does a new driveway need a permit?
- Inside Port Alberni, driveway and grading work is checked at the final Engineering inspection on your building permit, which confirms it complies with the regulations. We grade every driveway to pass that inspection.
Ready for a quote on excavation in Port Alberni?
Port Alberni Excavating offers free in-home estimates across the Alberni Valley.
Get a free quoteText or call (778) 909-4232