Earthwork in Montreal and South Shore
Land leveling, drainage slopes, compaction and site preparation (residential and commercial)
Earthwork encompasses all exterior work used to prepare, shape and stabilize land before a project: yard landscaping, driveway, parking, pool, retaining wall, fence, or site preparation for construction. Specifically, it includes: leveling, slope creation, topsoil stripping, fill/excavation, compaction, and surface drainage management.
At Archi-Maitre Excavation, we perform professional earthwork in Montreal and South Shore with a simple objective: stable, well-drained land ready for next steps, without settlement and without water stagnating in wrong place.
Earthwork Services (Exterior)
Residential Earthwork
- •Land leveling (front yard / back yard)
- •Slope correction to move water away from house (surface drainage)
- •Topsoil stripping and preservation for finishing
- •Fill / excavation (bringing or removing soil) according to plan
- •Layer compaction to limit settlement
- •Land preparation for: driveway, parking, pool, retaining wall, fence, landscaping
Commercial Earthwork
- •Site preparation, land shaping, drainage slopes
- •Volume management (excavation/fill), access logistics, site sequence
- •Compaction and stability for subsequent work
Surface Drainage (Land)
Surface drainage consists of directing water (rain, thaw) to appropriate drainage areas, rather than toward foundation or into depressions. It's often difference between "dry" yard and yard that remains spongy repeatedly.
Slopes and Drainage: The Foundation of Durable Earthwork
A "Quick" Earthwork Almost Always Leads To:
- •Water returning toward house (negative slope)
- •Persistent puddles and spongy areas
- •Settlement after few seasons (poorly compacted soil)
- •Erosion, gullying, damage to landscaping
Slope Recommendations (APCHQ References)
APCHQ emphasizes importance of surface water flow that moves water away from foundations.
APCHQ Performance Guide mentions that minimum slope of 2% is acceptable on band surrounding building (order of magnitude 1.5 m to 1.8 m).
APCHQ technical sheet specifies best practice: before compaction, aim for about 10% over about 2 m to obtain final slope of about 2% after compaction.
This is exactly what we do in earthwork: we plan levels and slopes taking into account compaction and future settlement.
Permits and Regulations (Montreal + South Shore)
Montreal: Fill/Excavation and Authorizations
In Montreal, municipal documents indicate that certain fill/excavation work may require authorization certificate depending on context (not uniform, varies by borough and situation).
Montreal also centralizes processes via its Authorizations and permits portal.
Longueuil: Online Application Submission
Longueuil offers Online Permits portal to submit application, pay, track progress and, in some cases, obtain permit without travel.
Archi-Maitre approach: we quickly tell you if your earthwork project resembles case that may require permit/certificate, then we structure work to remain compliant.
Site Safety (When There is Digging, Slopes, Excavation)
When earthwork involves excavations (trenches, digging, excavation), safety is non-negotiable:
Zero Tolerance - CNESST
CNESST specifically addresses trenches and excavations without shoring, and displays Zero Tolerance approach to collapse danger.
Prevention Guide
CNESST also publishes PDF guide to help plan prevention activities on excavation/trench sites.
Our Earthwork Process
(Archi-Maitre Method)
1) Land Assessment
Topography, low points, natural flow. Water retention areas, access, constraints (trees, fences, entrance, neighborhood). Project objectives: yard, driveway, parking, pool, retaining wall, fence, etc.
2) Leveling Plan + Drainage Plan
Definition of levels and slopes. Objective: move water away from building and avoid accumulations (APCHQ logic).
3) Stripping (Topsoil)
We remove vegetation layer and preserve it for finishing (instead of burying it under fill).
4) Excavation / Fill and Land Shaping
We cut/fill and shape according to plan: yard, traffic areas, pool preparation, fence line preparation, etc.
5) Layer Compaction
Objective: stability and settlement limitation (uncompacted fill = slopes that move and water problems that return).
6) Finishing and Restoration
We finalize slopes, replace topsoil if planned, leave clean land ready for next step.
Areas Served
Earthwork Montréal
Leveling, drainage slopes and fill/excavation (if applicable), with attention to possible land-related authorizations.
Earthwork Longueuil
Residential and commercial earthwork, yard/driveway/parking preparation, and possible procedures via Online Permits depending on work nature.
Earthwork Saint-Constant
Leveling, drainage slopes and compaction for residential projects: yard, driveway, parking, pool, fence.
Earthwork Varennes
Land shaping, correction of water accumulation areas, stability and compaction.
Earthwork Sainte-Julie
Front/back yard earthwork, drainage slope correction and land preparation for exterior landscaping.
Earthwork Chambly
Leveling, controlled fill/excavation, surface drainage, preparation for exterior projects.
Earthwork Beloeil
Land preparation, slopes and stability, compaction, traffic area leveling.
Earthwork Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Residential/commercial earthwork: leveling, surface drainage, site preparation.
Earthwork Saint-Hyacinthe
Complete earthwork: leveling, drainage slopes, compaction, land preparation for exterior projects.
FAQ – Earthwork
Earthwork vs excavation: what's the difference?
Excavation = digging/removing soil. Earthwork = all work to prepare land: stripping, shaping, slopes, compaction, surface drainage, fill/excavation.
How do I know if my land has an earthwork problem?
Common signs: water accumulates near house, slope bringing water toward foundations, persistent puddles, spongy soil, settlement. APCHQ reminds that slopes must move away from foundations and flow must not be blocked.
Why is compaction so important?
Without layer compaction, soil settles: slopes change, depressions appear, water returns where it shouldn't.
May a permit be necessary for earthwork?
Yes, depending on scope and context (fill/excavation, major modifications). Montreal publishes information documents mentioning authorization certificate for fill/excavation in certain cases.
What is most important principle to avoid water near foundation?
Have slopes that move water away from building. APCHQ explicitly addresses surface water flow and slopes around building.
Need Earthwork in Montreal or South Shore?
Contact Archi-Maitre Excavation: land assessment, leveling plan, drainage slopes, compaction, fill/excavation and site preparation — clean, durable and compliant.
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Useful Official Links
APCHQ - Surface Water Drainage
Slopes, flow and foundation protection.
APCHQ - Owner's Walk-around (PDF)
Drainage principles, slopes and flow.
APCHQ - Performance Guide (PDF)
Minimum slope around building, puddles and corrections.
APCHQ - Technical Sheet (PDF)
Best practice for slope before compaction to obtain final slope.
City of Montreal - Authorizations
Authorizations and permits portal.
Montreal - Permit Types (PDF)
Example of fill/excavation certificate depending on context.
Longueuil - Online Permits
Online permit request portal.
Longueuil - Permit Application
Online permit management application.
CNESST - Trenches (Zero Tolerance)
Trenches and excavations without shoring.
CNESST - Zero Tolerance Sheet
Collapse: danger.
CNESST - Digging Guide (PDF)
Digging, excavation and trench work.
Info-Excavation
Location request if earthwork involves digging.