You’re ready to build — maybe it’s your dream home, a new addition, a backyard shop, or a fresh commercial site. But you keep running into the same roadblock: the dirt. The site isn’t level. You’re not sure how deep to dig. The utilities need trenching. And no one seems to give you a straight answer about what it will cost, or what’s even included. We get it. The idea of starting any kind of excavation project can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone in feeling a little stuck or unsure. At Minch Enterprises LLC, we’ve worked with people across Larimer County who were in the same spot. Good people, smart folks — they just needed someone who could break things down, listen to their goals, and help them move dirt the right way.
How Can We Help?
AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES:
Do NOT hire an excavating contractor without first reading our free guide:
The ULTIMATE Excavation & Septic "Success Guide."
Excavation isn’t just “digging a hole.” Around Fort Collins, your project might require:
Site clearing and grading (think of it as getting a clean slate)
Trenching for utilities like water, power, and sewer lines
Foundation digs for basements, shops, homes, or additions
Driveway and roadbed prep
Pond excavation and drainage control
Lot leveling and re-sloping
French drain installation
Retaining wall base prep
Full site preparation from start to finish
At Minch Enterprises LLC, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every job gets tailored to what the property actually needs — not what’s easiest for us.
Let’s talk money. Most people who contact us have the same question:
“How much is this going to cost?”
Here’s the honest answer: It depends. But we always break it down for you clearly.
What affects your cost:
Access to the site (tight areas take more time)
Slope and soil type (clay, rock, or sandy soil matters)
Depth and size of the project
Distance from utilities
Haul-away needs (is the dirt staying or going?)
Permits and inspections (some projects require them, some don’t)
The average excavation project near Fort Collins might run anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000+, depending on scope. The key is understanding what you’re paying for — and making sure you're not being charged for things you don’t need.
We’ll walk you through each step and give you a custom quote based on your site, not someone else’s.
✔️ Commercial Excavation
✔️ Residential Excavation
✔️ Dozer Work
✔️ Building Pads
✔️ Water Lines
✔️ Horse Arenas
✔️ Basement Excavation
✔️ Large pond Construction
✔️ Small Pond Construction
✔️ Demolition
✔️ Retaining Walls
✔️ Grading
✔️ Full site preparation
✔️ French Drains
✔️ Sewer Repairs
✔️ Utilities Trenching
✔️ Drainage Systems
✔️ Land Clearing
You’d be surprised how often we get calls to fix someone else’s mess. Here are just a few issues we’ve seen:
Improper sloping causing water to drain back toward foundations
Trenching done without calling 811 first — leading to utility strikes
Sites not compacted properly, causing foundation cracks later
Over-excavation (yes, too much dirt removed is a thing)
We’re not perfect, but we’re careful.
We slow down when it matters and double-check our grade, trench depth, and plans. That’s part of why builders and homeowners keep calling us — because we help prevent the problems others cause.
Trenching vs. Full Site Prep: Which One Do You Need?
Not every excavation project needs a bulldozer and a fleet of dump trucks. Sometimes you just need a trench for a utility line. Other times, it’s a full teardown, grade, and rebuild.
So, which one do you need?
Here’s how we help you figure it out:
Quick utility trenching (if you’re adding water, sewer, or electrical to a structure)
Partial site work (like just grading a driveway or prepping a pad)
Full site prep (clearing, leveling, trenching, and prepping everything for your builder)
We’ll walk the site with you. We’ll ask what you’re building, what the ground looks like, and what you’ve already done. Then we’ll give you a clear plan — not a guess.
How Minch Enterprises LLC Customizes Every Excavation Project (Without Overcomplicating It)
Here’s what we believe: You shouldn’t have to be an engineer to understand what’s happening on your property.
When you hire Minch Enterprises LLC, you’re not getting a big, corporate crew. You’re getting real people who walk the land, look at the job with you, and ask the right questions.
We work with:
First-time homeowners
Custom builders
Property investors
Small-scale developers
Folks building ADUs or shops in their backyard
And we tailor our services accordingly. Want to keep some dirt on-site? Need a cut and fill for your walkout basement? Have a weird slope to work around? We handle all that — without making you feel overwhelmed.
Getting Started With Your Excavation Project: What Happens Next?
If you’re feeling ready (or even almost ready), here’s how to move forward:
Reach out. Give us a call or send us a message. We'll ask a few quick questions.
We come to you. We'll schedule a time to walk the site and talk through the options.
We send a quote. You’ll get a clear breakdown of the work and costs — no fluff.
We dig in. Once approved, we’ll get to work. On time. On budget. And always with care.
Extended hours by appointment only.
Address: 880 S Pearl St Elizabeth, CO 80107