Frequently Asked Questions

We service the Nelson and Tasman region, including Nelson City, Richmond, Stoke, Mapua, Motueka, Takaka, Golden Bay, and surrounding rural areas. For large projects we'll travel further — contact us to discuss your location.

The fastest way is to call us on 027 549 4344 or use the Get a Quote button on any service page. We'll usually ask a few questions about your project and arrange a site visit before providing a written quote. For straightforward projects we can often give a ballpark figure over the phone first.

Yes. Kiwi Excavations holds full public liability insurance and all operators hold relevant certifications for the machinery they operate. We carry the documentation required for council and building consent compliance, and we can supply certificates of insurance on request.

That's actually our sweet spot. Many projects combine earthworks, drainage, retaining walls, driveways, and fencing. Running it through one crew avoids the coordination problems that come with managing multiple contractors — and typically saves time and money.

It depends on the season and project size. During our busier summer months, lead times can be 3–6 weeks for larger jobs. Smaller projects and emergency work (flood damage, urgent drainage) we try to fit in as quickly as possible. Call us early — the earlier we know about a project, the better we can plan it into the schedule.

It depends on the volume and location. Both Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council have earthworks rules under their District Plans — generally any earthworks over a certain volume (commonly 50–250m³ depending on zone) or in sensitive areas (near waterways, on steep slopes) require a resource consent. We can advise whether your project is likely to need consent and help with the documentation if it does.

A residential site cut for a house platform typically takes 2–5 days. Larger subdivision or commercial earthworks can run for weeks. Timeline depends on volume, material type, ground conditions, and weather. We'll give you a realistic programme in our quote.

We communicate immediately and provide options with costs before proceeding. Unexpected ground conditions are not uncommon in the Nelson-Tasman region given the varied geology. Our quotes typically include a provisional sum for unknowns on sites where conditions are less predictable. We never proceed with significant additional work without your agreement.

Yes. We implement erosion and sediment control plans as part of any significant earthworks project — this is a council requirement and something we take seriously to protect waterways. This includes silt fences, sediment traps, stabilised construction entrances, and progressive revegetation where required.

We operate machines from 5 to 30 tonnes, allowing us to match equipment to the job. Smaller 5–8 tonne machines suit tight residential sections; 20–30 tonne machines handle bulk earthworks, large retaining walls, and commercial projects efficiently. Running the right-sized machine for your job keeps costs down and avoids unnecessary site damage.

Generally yes, if the wall is over 1.5 metres high, or if it retains soil that supports a structure like a house or driveway. Walls under 1.5 metres in non-sensitive areas may be exempt, but the rules vary by zone and site. We recommend checking with your council early — we can help you understand what's required and work with your engineer if consent is needed.

The right material depends on the height, load, aesthetics, and budget. We build in concrete block (Allan Block and similar systems), timber (treated pine), precast concrete panels, and engineered concrete. For taller or highly loaded walls, we always work from an engineer's design. We'll recommend the best option for your site conditions and budget.

Water pressure — called hydrostatic pressure — is one of the main causes of retaining wall failure. If water can't escape from behind the wall, it builds pressure against the structure. Proper drainage (aggregate backfill, drainage coil, and weep holes) relieves that pressure and is a non-negotiable part of any quality retaining wall. Skipping it is the single most common reason walls fail within a few years.

A correctly engineered, properly drained retaining wall should last 30–50+ years depending on material. Concrete block systems and precast concrete at the upper end; treated timber at 20–25 years in most conditions. The lifespan drops dramatically without adequate drainage — this is why we don't cut corners on the drainage component.

Yes. We assess failing walls regularly. Sometimes the fix is improving drainage and adding anchor support; sometimes full reconstruction is necessary. We'll give you an honest assessment of whether repair is worthwhile or whether rebuilding properly is the better investment. Patch repairs on a failing wall often cost more in the long run.

Both work well in our climate. Asphalt is typically 20–30% cheaper upfront and easier to repair but needs resealing every 5–7 years and has a shorter lifespan (15–25 years). Concrete costs more initially but lasts 30–50 years with minimal maintenance and handles heavy vehicles better. For most residential driveways, asphalt is the practical choice; for commercial yards or heavy-use areas, concrete makes more sense. We can advise based on your specific situation.

Good base preparation is what separates a driveway that lasts from one that cracks and sinks. We excavate to remove topsoil and unstable material, install geotextile fabric to prevent the base mixing with subgrade, compact layers of engineered fill, and finish with a compacted AP40 or GAP40 metal base. The surface goes down last. Skipping any of these steps is how cheap driveways fail within 3–5 years.

We handle the complete job — earthworks, base preparation, drainage, and the finished surface. You deal with one contractor rather than coordinating between a digger operator and a separate paving or concrete crew. This usually means better integration between the base prep and the surface, and a cleaner result.

Sloping driveways require more earthworks (cut, fill, and compaction), more complex drainage, and sometimes retaining elements at the edges. They take longer and cost more than flat driveways of the same length. For steep driveways we may also recommend a surface with better grip than standard asphalt. We'll assess the slope carefully and provide an accurate quote before any work starts.

A standard residential driveway typically takes 2–4 days from start to finish. Longer driveways on rural or lifestyle properties, or those requiring significant earthworks and retaining, can take 1–2 weeks. Concrete needs 7 days to cure before full vehicle use; asphalt is typically trafficable within 24 hours.

Common signs include standing water that doesn't drain within 24–48 hours of rain, wet patches or muddy areas that persist through dry weather, water entering your subfloor or garage, soil eroding around the property edges, or retaining walls showing signs of movement. If any of these are happening, drainage is worth investigating — problems almost always get worse without intervention.

We install surface water channels and sumps, subsoil drainage systems (agricultural coil or slotted pipe in aggregate trenches), French drains, catchpit and stormwater networks, retaining wall drainage, and outfall connections to council stormwater infrastructure where permitted. The right system depends on where the water is coming from and where it needs to go.

In many cases yes, but it requires council approval and must comply with stormwater management rules. Both Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council have requirements around connection volumes and treatment in some catchments. We can assess your site, advise on what's possible, and manage the application process if needed.

Costs range from a few thousand dollars for a straightforward subsoil drain installation to $20,000+ for complex systems involving catchpits, large pipes, and significant earthworks. The cost of not fixing drainage is usually higher — ongoing foundation damage, retaining wall failure, or loss of usable outdoor space typically costs far more over time than solving the problem correctly once.

Yes, this is a common project for us throughout the Tasman District and rural Nelson areas. Sloping sites concentrate water flows and can cause significant erosion and property damage. We design systems that intercept water at the top of slopes, channel it safely, and discharge it without causing problems lower on the property or on neighbouring land.

Site preparation for a house foundation typically involves: clearing and stripping topsoil, bulk excavation to establish the right level, cutting the foundation trench or slab area to specification, installing drainage beneath the slab, and compacting engineered fill to the density required by the engineer. We work from the engineer's design and provide compaction testing records for consent documentation.

Yes — the majority of our foundation and site preparation work is alongside building companies, architects, and project managers throughout Nelson and Tasman. We're experienced at sequencing our work around building programmes, coordinating with surveyors and engineers, and hitting the completion dates that matter for the wider build schedule.

We assess conditions during excavation and report back immediately if something unexpected appears — rock, made ground, high water tables, or soft spots. We'll provide options with costs and, where the engineer needs to revise the design, we pause until a solution is confirmed. We never push through unexpected conditions without sign-off.

This is a core service for us. Nelson and Tasman have a lot of sloping residential and lifestyle land, and creating a level, well-drained building platform is something we do regularly. This includes cut and fill design to minimise material movement, temporary and permanent retaining, and ensuring the platform drainage is engineered into the site from day one.

Yes. Site clearing — including tree removal, root ball excavation, stump grinding or removal, and vegetation strip — is part of our site preparation offering. We haul material away and leave a clean working area. Note that removing significant trees may require council consent; we'll flag this during site assessment.

We build in treated pine (the most cost-effective option), hardwoods like kwila or vitex, and composite decking (timber-look boards over aluminium framing). Each has trade-offs: treated pine is cheapest but needs regular maintenance; composite costs more upfront but is virtually maintenance-free. Hardwood sits in between on cost and requires oiling to maintain appearance. We'll help you choose based on your budget, lifestyle, and the deck's exposure.

In New Zealand, decks over 1.5 metres above ground level require a building consent. Decks under 1.5 metres and under a certain area may qualify as exempt work, but this depends on specifics. Pergolas are often exempt but there are conditions. We'll advise on consent requirements for your project and can manage the consent application if needed.

Yes — in fact decking is an ideal solution for sloping sections that are otherwise hard to use. We design subframes that step down the slope, ensuring structural integrity and level surfaces. Our earthworks background means we also understand the drainage and foundation requirements beneath elevated structures, which standard decking contractors sometimes overlook.

A standard residential deck takes 3–7 days depending on size and complexity. Projects with elevated structures, pergolas, or integrated stairs and balustrades take longer. We'll give you a clear timeline in your quote so you can plan around it.

Yes, and that's often the most efficient approach. On a new section or renovation, we'll do any required earthworks, retaining, and drainage first, then move straight into the deck construction. One contractor, one schedule, one point of contact — no gaps between trades for you to manage.

Hydro-seeding sprays a mixture of seed, mulch, fertiliser, and water across prepared ground. It's cheaper than instant turf, handles large and sloping areas well, and establishes a strong root system — but you need to wait 4–6 weeks for a usable lawn. Instant turf (rolled grass) gives you an immediately green, usable lawn but costs significantly more per square metre. Hydro-seeding suits large lifestyle block lawns and slopes; instant turf suits smaller areas where appearance matters immediately.

For a healthy lawn, 100–150mm of quality topsoil is the minimum; 200–300mm is better on sites with poor subsoil. Garden beds need more — typically 300–400mm for vegetables, 200mm minimum for established plants. We supply screened, weed-free topsoil from trusted local suppliers and spread it to the depth your garden needs.

We work from either. If you have plans from a landscape designer, we follow them. If you have a rough sketch or just a concept ('I want raised veggie beds here and lawn there'), we can translate that into a practical layout during construction. For full landscape design, we recommend engaging a qualified landscape designer first — we then build from their plans.

Yes — we install residential irrigation including pop-up sprinkler systems for lawns, soaker lines for garden beds, and timer controllers for automation. We also trench and lay irrigation lines to the depths and routes required. For large-scale commercial irrigation we'd recommend a specialist — our focus is practical residential and lifestyle block systems.

We handle the earthworks, soil, drainage, infrastructure, and lawn establishment — but we don't plant. Selecting and installing plants and ongoing garden maintenance are outside our scope. We're happy to recommend landscape gardeners who can take over once we've completed the groundwork.

We respond in two phases. The immediate phase is removing silt, debris, and flood-damaged material, clearing access, and making the property safe. The longer-term phase is assessing what caused the flooding and implementing engineering solutions — drainage, retaining, sediment traps, channel works — to reduce the risk of it happening again.

We can provide detailed scope-of-works and quotes in the format insurers need, document damage with photos and descriptions, and work to council and engineering requirements if the remediation work needs consent. We recommend getting the insurance process started as quickly as possible — we can often help you document the damage before we begin clearance work.

For genuine emergency situations — a slip blocking access, a flood event causing immediate risk to a property — call us directly on 027 549 4344 and we'll do our best to respond as fast as possible. We understand that some situations can't wait for a scheduled quote process.

In most cases, yes. Flooding is usually caused by specific site conditions — inadequate drainage capacity, failed culverts, blocked channels, upstream changes, or development that increased runoff. Once we understand the cause, we can design and install systems that significantly reduce recurrence risk. We'll be honest if a site has limitations outside what earthworks can address.

Yes. Larger flood events often require geotechnical engineers, drainage engineers, and council involvement. We're experienced working within these multi-party projects — following engineering designs, providing documentation, and coordinating with other contractors. In the Nelson-Tasman region we have established relationships with local engineering firms who specialise in flood and stormwater work.

Most standard boundary fences don't require consent — there are height limits (typically 2 metres for boundary fences in residential zones) and setback rules for corner sites, but routine fencing usually sits within permitted activity rules. Pool fencing is different: it must comply with NZS 8500:2006 (Building Code clause F9) and requires a code compliance certificate. We check requirements as part of every pool fence installation and install to the standard required to pass inspection first time.

Sloping sites are where our earthworks background makes the biggest difference. We have three options depending on the slope and fencing type: stepping the fence panels (staircase pattern), raking the fence line (panels follow the slope continuously), or preparing a level base with earthworks first. We assess what works structurally and visually for your site and talk through the options before committing.

Our quotes cover all materials (posts, panels, fixings, concrete), excavation and post setting, panel installation, gates if required, and site clean-up. We don't add hidden extras after the quote. If something unexpected comes up during installation (like buried concrete or significant slope variation), we'll discuss it with you before proceeding.

A standard residential boundary fence (20–30 metres) typically takes 1–2 days. Larger jobs with gates, complex terrain, or pool fencing compliance requirements take longer. We'll give you an accurate timeline in your quote. Post concrete needs 24–48 hours to cure before panels go on in most conditions.

We provide a 12-month workmanship warranty on all fencing installations. Material warranties vary by product — steel and aluminium systems typically carry manufacturer warranties of 10–15 years on coatings; treated timber posts (H4 or H5 rated) carry treatment warranties of 15+ years for ground contact durability. We provide the relevant documentation at job completion.

Yes — and this is one of our main advantages over fencing-only contractors. If your site needs earthworks, retaining, or drainage alongside fencing, we handle all of it. One quote, one crew, one schedule. No coordinating between a digger operator and a fencing company who don't know each other's programmes.