What a Foundation Dig Costs in New Brunswick

1 The pieces of the price

2 What's under your yard

The things nobody can see until the bucket goes in, and what to do about each before it does.

• Buried lines

  Gas, power, cable and old private lines can sit anywhere in a yard. NB Power says its lines can be buried as little as one foot down.

  Before the dig: The contractor must have utilities located before digging (WorkSafeNB). Ask to see both tickets: Info-Excavation (3 working days' notice, valid to the end date on the request) and NB Power (five business days, valid 60 days, NB Power lines only). Mark private lines yourself.

• Rock

  We found no public source on how deep rock sits under any New Brunswick town, so nobody can promise a rock-free lot.

  Before the dig: Get the rock clause in writing before the dig: how it is found, how the breaker time is logged and what it costs per hour.

• Water in the ground

  We found no public data on groundwater or soil for any New Brunswick lot.

  Before the dig: Ask the contractor what they will do if the hole takes on water, and whether keeping it dry is in the price.

• A brook, lake or wetland nearby

  Any clearing, digging, fill or machine work within 30 metres of a watercourse or wetland needs a provincial WAWA permit first. The 30 metres is measured from the top of the bank, on the ground.

  Before the dig: Measure before you book the machine. The landowner usually applies; a single alteration is $25.

3 Before the first bucket

Tick them off as you go. Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.

1. Check the 30-metre rule Before anything is booked Within 30 metres of a watercourse or wetland, a WAWA permit comes first.
2. Give written notice of the start date Before work starts Regulation 2021-2 asks the owner or agent to tell the local government or Regional Service Commission the start date and the names of the constructors, engineers, designers and testing agencies.
3. Book both locates 5 business days ahead Info-Excavation needs 3 working days' notice and NB Power runs its own request with five business days' notice. Ask the contractor for both tickets.
4. Ask for a WorkSafeNB clearance certificate Before you sign Coverage is mandatory for employers with three or more workers, and a customer can be held responsible for an unregistered business's premiums.
5. Book the footing and foundation inspection Before any backfill Regulation 2021-2 calls for an inspection on completion of the footings and foundations, before any backfilling begins. Ask your building department how it is booked.
6. Keep the 10% holdback When you pay The Construction Remedies Act requires the owner to retain 10% of the contract price for 60 days after substantial performance; ask a lawyer about the details.

4 Rules by place for this job

Moncton

New construction, additions, changes of use and renovations need a building and development permit.

Fredericton

A building permit comes before a new building, an addition or significant alterations; Engineering reviews water and sewer services and lot grading at that stage.

Rothesay

The Town issues building and development permits and its building inspector enforces the National Building Code.

Oromocto

The Planning and Compliance office issues building permits and does site inspections.

Shediac and Riverview

Building permits come through Plan 360, the Southeast Regional Service Commission.

Anywhere else

We found no excavation-specific rule for Dieppe, Sussex, Miramichi or other towns: ask your municipality or Regional Service Commission before the machine arrives.

What the written quote should name

• The machine size and the hours it expects
• How rock is found, logged and priced
• Where the spoil goes, how many loads and who pays
• What goes back in as backfill, and when (after the inspection)
• Clean-up and what the lot looks like when the crew leaves

More on the work itself: Foundation & Basement Excavation