Nearly every house here has a basement, and footings go 3.5 feet deep for frost. We dig to plan, deal with old fill and peat, and backfill with clean granular soil.
Minnesota's building code requires frost-protected footings, which means 42 inches deep in Hennepin and Ramsey counties unless an engineer designs otherwise. Full basements are standard here, so most new homes and many additions need a deep dig. We excavate to the plan elevations, trim the bottom where the footings go and keep water and frost out of the hole until the concrete crew is ready.
Soil can change within one hole. Sand compacts well but caves easily, clay till stands up but holds water, and peat or old fill must be removed completely. On teardown lots, we often find old foundations, coal chutes, cisterns and debris from earlier houses. We remove those and replace them with clean compacted fill or extend the dig to firm native soil, as the engineer directs.
We also dig next to existing foundations so repair and waterproofing crews can work: bowed block walls, leaking stone foundations and failed drain tile are common in homes built before 1960. The dig is done in sections, with heavy equipment kept back from the wall and the last few inches dug carefully. Backfill uses clean, well-draining material, placed in layers and sloped away from the house.
Foundation excavation in Minneapolis: common questions
How deep are footings in Minneapolis?
Minnesota Rule 1303.1600 sets 3.5 feet for frost protection in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, unless an engineer justifies a shallower depth.
Can you dig a basement during a Minnesota winter?
Yes, with care. Frozen soil at the bottom is removed or protected, and footings are poured on unfrozen ground.
Do I need a soil boring?
On new homes, larger additions and lots near wetlands or old fill, it is a good idea and the engineer may require it.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the site with you.
- Written quote: Scope, equipment and price in writing.
- Utility locate & plan: We have utilities marked and plan access, haul-off and erosion control.
- Dig, grade & clean up: We complete the work, grade the site and haul away spoil.