From lot clearing and rough grading to finish grading and loam restoration — Millbrook Excavation delivers the complete site preparation package for new construction and development projects. Serving Norfolk, Franklin, Wrentham, Walpole, Millis, Medway, Medfield, Plainville, Foxborough, Sharon, Mansfield, Attleboro, and the surrounding Norfolk County area.
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We review your site plan and engineering drawings, walk the property, and identify any soil, ledge, drainage, or wetland setback conditions that may affect the work — before your project begins.
We clear the lot of vegetation and debris, remove stumps and surface material, and establish rough grades through cut-and-fill earthwork to bring the site to approximate design elevation.
We excavate the foundation to the specified depth, handle any ledge or boulder conditions encountered, and trench for all underground utilities — coordinating with your licensed plumber and electrician.
After construction, we establish the final grade, place loam, and restore disturbed areas — leaving the site with proper drainage and ready for seeding, landscaping, or hardscaping.
Site work is the foundation of every successful construction project. Before a single wall goes up, the land has to be properly cleared, graded, and excavated. In Norfolk County, that process is complicated by the region's glacial geology — a mix of dense till, boulders, and unpredictable ledge that can turn a straightforward excavation into a significant earthmoving challenge. Millbrook Excavation has the equipment and experience to handle what eastern Massachusetts ground throws at us. A complete site work package typically begins with clearing and grubbing — removing trees, stumps, brush, and surface debris to expose the working grade. We then establish rough grades using cut-and-fill earthwork to bring the site to approximate design elevation. Foundation excavation follows: digging the basement or footing trenches to the specified depth, accounting for Massachusetts's 48-inch frost line and any ledge or groundwater conditions encountered. We install foundation drainage — perforated pipe and stone around the footing — before the backfill phase begins after the foundation is poured. Throughout construction, we manage temporary drainage and erosion control on sites disturbing more than one acre, as required by EPA's Construction General Permit. When the building is complete, we return for finish grading — shaping the final surface to establish positive drainage away from the foundation (Massachusetts code requires a minimum 6-inch drop in the first 10 feet), placing topsoil, and preparing the surface for seeding or landscaping. The result is a site that sheds water properly and is ready for its final improvements. Whether you're building a single-family home in Norfolk, developing a commercial lot in Franklin, or adding a large addition in Walpole, Millbrook Excavation delivers coordinated, professional site work that keeps your project moving forward.
From clearing through finish grade, having one experienced contractor managing all the earthwork simplifies scheduling, reduces coordination headaches, and keeps your project on track.
Norfolk County's glacial geology means encountering rock is common. We have the equipment and experience to handle ledge and boulders without derailing your project timeline.
Finish grading must establish positive drainage away from the foundation per Massachusetts code. We grade to spec, protecting the structure from the water management problems that poor grading creates.
We work directly with general contractors and builders to coordinate excavation timing with the construction schedule — minimizing downtime between phases.
A complete site work package typically includes lot clearing and grubbing, rough grading, foundation excavation, utility trenching, erosion and sediment control during construction, foundation drainage installation, backfill after foundation, and finish grading with loam and seed restoration. We tailor the scope to your specific project needs.
Yes. A grading permit from your local Building Official is generally required before grading work begins. The permit requires a grading plan showing existing and proposed grades. Projects disturbing more than one acre also require compliance with EPA's Construction General Permit for stormwater management.
Encountering ledge (bedrock) is common in Norfolk County due to the region's glacial geology. When ledge is encountered, the extent and depth are assessed. Depending on the situation, it can be removed by hydraulic breaking (jackhammering) or, in some cases, blasting by a licensed blasting contractor. Rock excavation adds cost — typically $50–$200+ per cubic yard — but it's a manageable part of site work in this region.
Finish grading is the final shaping of the ground surface after construction is complete. It establishes the final elevations and drainage patterns around the building. Massachusetts code requires the ground to slope away from the foundation at a minimum of 6 inches in the first 10 feet. Improper finish grading is one of the leading causes of basement moisture and foundation water damage.
Yes. If any portion of the site work is within 100 feet of a wetland, stream, vernal pool, or other resource area, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the local Conservation Commission is required under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. We identify wetland setback requirements during our initial site review and can coordinate the permitting process.
Absolutely. We regularly coordinate with general contractors, builders, and engineers to schedule site work phases around the construction timeline. Clear communication between the GC and the excavation contractor is essential for a smooth project — we make that a priority.
Serving Norfolk, Franklin, Wrentham, Walpole, Millis, Medway, Medfield, Plainville, Foxborough, Sharon, Mansfield, Attleboro, and the surrounding Norfolk County area.
Call or text (508) 641-3577 or fill out our online contact form. We'll schedule a time to walk the site with you and provide a detailed estimate based on your plans.
Based in Norfolk, we provide professional septic repair, foundation excavation, drainage, demolition, and site work to homeowners and businesses across the norfolk county, ma.
+ Surrounding communities within the Norfolk County, MA
