Dig To Spec. Hand Off Clean.
Austin, TX & Salt Lake City, UT · Rock Hammering Available
Your pool builder has a dig spec. We hit it. Dimensions, depth, bench profile, equipment pad — everything staged and ready for the shell crew. No surprises. No rework.
Four Scope Items.
All of Them Done Right.
Dimension + Profile Excavation
We dig to your pool builder's exact spec — length, width, shallow depth, deep end depth, slope transition, and bench seats. No interpretations. We confirm the spec before the first pass.
Rock Hammering + Caliche Break
Austin limestone and caliche are the norm, not the exception. We identify rock at depth during site assessment, not mid-dig. Hydraulic hammer attachment on-site when conditions require — no stoppage waiting for a different rig.
Equipment Pad + Plumbing Trench
The equipment pad gets dug and graded to elevation at the same time as the shell — no return visit. Plumbing trenches from pad to shell edge included. You hand off to your plumber with clean, straight trenches ready to go.
Spoil Haul + Site Staging
All excavated material removed from site — no pile left for you or your client to deal with. Access path preserved for your shell crew and shotcrete truck. Staging confirmed before we mobilize so your schedule isn't impacted.
The Ground Here
Fights Back.
Most of Austin sits on top of limestone and caliche. In Salt Lake City, it's hardpan clay and cobble. Both formations behave the same way: they don't move without the right equipment and the right plan.
We don't find this out mid-dig. A site assessment before mobilization tells us what we're working with. Your pool builder gets a clear picture of ground conditions before the build schedule is locked.
Unexpected rock mid-dig is the #1 cause of pool build delays. We identify and communicate it before it becomes your problem.
Caliche at bench depth changes the profile. We flag it on spec confirmation — not after the shell crew is already scheduled.
Hydraulic hammer on-site for every Austin project. No waiting for a second mobilization if rock is harder than expected.
From Quote to
Shell-Ready Handoff.
Quote + Spec Confirmation
We quote from your pool builder's dig spec — not a generic estimate. Pool dimensions, profile, bench locations, equipment pad position. If the spec isn't final, we quote a range and lock the number when it is.
Site Assessment
We walk the lot before mobilizing. Access route, overhead clearance, utilities, ground conditions, spoil staging area. Everything flagged before the first machine shows up.
Excavation
Dig to spec. Hydraulic hammer for rock. We work in stages — rough shape first, then profile refinement, then bench and deep-end detail. Your builder's tolerances drive the finish grade.
Equipment Pad + Trench
Equipment pad graded and compacted. Plumbing trench dug to your plumber's run. Both done while the excavator is already on-site — not as a return trip.
Spoil Haul + Site Handoff
All material removed. Access path confirmed clear for your shell crew and shotcrete truck. Final photos sent to you and your pool builder before we demobilize.
What Pool Shell
Excavation Costs.
Pricing varies by pool size, shape, ground conditions, and access. These ranges come from actual Austin and Salt Lake City jobs — not national averages.
| Pool Type / Scenario | Size | Ground Conditions | Est. Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Rectangle | 16×32 ft | Soil / light caliche | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| Standard Rectangle | 16×40 ft | Soil / light caliche | $6,000 – $9,500 |
| Rectangle + Rock | 16×32 ft | Austin limestone present | $9,000 – $16,000 |
| Freeform / Lagoon | 500–700 sq ft | Soil / mixed | $8,500 – $14,000 |
| Freeform + Rock | 500–700 sq ft | Heavy limestone / caliche | $14,000 – $22,000 |
| Plunge / Lap Pool | 10×40 ft | Any | $5,500 – $11,000 |
| Large Pool + Spa + Rock | 20×40 ft+ | Heavy rock, tight access | $18,000 – $28,000 |
You Build Pools.
We Prep The Ground.
If you're a pool builder in Austin or Salt Lake City, ClearGround is built to be your excavation partner — not a one-off sub you have to manage. We work from your dig spec, confirm conditions before you schedule your shell crew, and hand off clean every time.
- Preferred sub rates for volume partners (5+ jobs/year)
- Direct line to your project coordinator — not a call center
- Rock assessment before your build schedule is locked
- Same-day mobilization available for schedule gaps
- Final photos and grade confirmation sent before demob
- No surprise overages after the dig — flagged on spec review
What Pool Builders
Actually Ask Us.
Typically 1–2 weeks for standard residential pools. In peak season (March–June in Austin), 3 weeks out is safer. Preferred sub partners get priority scheduling. Call to discuss your build calendar.
Always from your spec. We confirm every dimension with you before the dig starts — not after. If dimensions change during layout, we call you before moving dirt.
We flag it during site assessment, not mid-dig. If rock shows up that we didn't anticipate, we stop, call you, photograph the condition, and give you a revised number before continuing. No surprises handed to you after the fact.
Yes — and we prefer it. The excavator is already on-site. Adding the pad and trench run while we're there is more efficient than a separate mobilization, and the cost reflects that.
We have compact equipment for tight residential lots. Side yard access as narrow as 36 inches can be managed depending on pool location. We assess access during the site walkthrough — before you schedule the dig.
Spoil haul is included in our standard quote. We remove all excavated material. If you need fill retained on-site for grade work, we can stage it — just flag that during spec review.
Get a Quote That's
Based on Your Job.
No national averages. No spreadsheet estimates. A real number from a site visit and your pool builder's spec.
Austin, TX · Salt Lake City, UT · Licensed + Insured