Digging Smart: What Makes Excavation in Alaska So Different

Why precision grading, drainage, and planning are critical — and how we get it right from day one.

Excavation might seem like the kind of job anyone with a backhoe can handle — until you try it in Alaska. Here, digging is just the beginning. You’re dealing with permafrost, steep slopes, unpredictable drainage, and freeze-thaw cycles that can wreck a foundation if the groundwork isn’t done right.

At Precision General Contractors (PGC), excavation is one of our specialties — not just because we have the right gear, but because we bring 30+ years of local field knowledge to every site we break ground on.

Excavation Is More Than Moving Dirt

In Alaska, excavation sets the tone for the entire build. If it's done wrong, everything from your driveway to your foundation to your drainage system can suffer.

That’s why our approach focuses on three key pillars:

1. Planning with the End in Mind

We don’t just look at your blueprint — we look at water flow, soil type, terrain, and how your structure will behave through the seasons.

2. Clean, Level, and Ready to Build

Whether it’s a garage pad or a shop foundation, we grade and compact with precision to eliminate settling, sloping, or shifting over time.

3. Integrated Services

We often trench for plumbing or drainage while we excavate, helping clients streamline timelines and reduce contractor overlap.

Real-World Excavation Capabilities

Whether you’re building in Anchorage or prepping land in Palmer, here’s what we offer:

Site Development & Foundation Pads

• Home and shop pad prep

• Trenching for footings and plumbing

• Hillside grading and sloped builds

• Backfill and compaction

• Grading for snowmelt and runoff

Land Clearing & Driveways

• Stump and tree removal

• Grubbing, stripping, and debris clearing

• Gravel road prep and driveway grading

• Light demo and site cleanup

Drainage & Water Mitigation

• French drains, trenching, and sump basins

• Site grading for water control

• Foundation water protection

• Erosion control and slope stabilization

“PGC got our pad ready on a sloped lot, handled the drainage, and coordinated directly with our builder. Clean, tight work and they were fast.” — Homeowner, Wasilla

Why Builders Choose PGC

We’re more than a dig-and-dump crew. Builders and property owners count on us because:

✔ We own and operate all our equipment
✔ We mobilize fast — often in 24–48 hours
✔ Our crews coordinate directly with framers and plumbers
✔ We leave behind clean, level, build-ready pads
✔ We know what drainage and erosion actually look like here

“Ben’s team graded the driveway, prepped the pad, and even coordinated plumbing trenching. One call got it all done.” — Contractor, Anchorage

Building on a Slope? We’ve Got You.

Sloped site? No problem. We’ve prepped hillside foundations in Eagle River and drainage-challenged properties in the Valley. Whether you're building a cabin, shop, or custom home, we know how to grade and stabilize it — so the structure stays solid for years.

Ready to Get the Groundwork Right?

If you’re building in Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla, or anywhere in Southcentral Alaska — start your project with excavation that’s built to last.

📍 Based in Eagle River | Serving the Valley and beyond
📞 Call (907) 947-4187 or
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