Site cuts, basements, footings, piling, trenching and final trim. Tight to spec, on schedule, and delivered with the gear and operators to back it up.
Earthworks is the foundation of every build. Get it wrong and every trade after you pays for it. Apollo Earthworks runs experienced operators on modern machines so the cut comes out clean, the levels are right, and the next crew can start work without a delay.
We handle the full range, from a single residential footing dig through to bulk earthworks on commercial and civil sites. From 1.7T to 30T excavators with the attachments to match the job, we bring the right gear for what your site actually needs.
Every job is run to spec, set out properly, and finished clean. That is the Apollo standard.
Each service is delivered by ticketed operators on serviced machinery, fully insured and finished to spec.
High-volume excavation and material movement for subdivisions, commercial pads and large civil works. We bring the fleet and operators to keep your program running.
Precise residential and commercial site cuts to engineer's spec. We set out, cut to level, and leave a clean pad ready for the next trade.
Deep excavations for basement builds. We work with engineers and shoring contractors to deliver a clean, accurate dig that supports the design.
Footing excavation for slabs, walls and structural pads. Clean, accurate digs that follow the engineer's drawings to the millimetre.
Service trenching for plumbing, electrical, drainage and stormwater. Tight, accurate, and dug with the right machine for the access.
Precision finishing of pads, driveways and slabs to spec. We bring the bucket work and the operator skill to land you on the right level, every time.
Screw piles, bored piers and soldier piles for footings, retention and basements. Set out to the drawings and coordinated with your engineer.
Full site clean-ups during and after the works. We strip old material, clear debris, and leave the site tidy for the next trade.
Bulk waste bags supplied and removed on site. A tidy, lower-cost alternative to a skip for spoil, rubble and builders' waste.
From compact 1.7T excavators for tight residential access through to 30T machines for bulk works, we match the gear to the job.
1.7T - 30T
Excavators
Full size range for tight access through to bulk works
Tipper
Tandem Trucks
Material removal and supply across Melbourne
Compact
Skid Steers
For tight sites and finishing work
Up to 10T
Machinery Floats
Move our gear in and out without delays
Same six steps on every job from a single residential footing dig through to a multi-week commercial bulk excavation. No surprises, no scope creep, no leftover mess for the next trade.
We attend site within 24 to 48 hours, walk the job with you, read the engineer's drawings or sketch the scope, and follow up with a fixed written quote. Free, no obligation.
Once accepted, we lock in start and finish dates, confirm machine size and crew, arrange the float, and coordinate with your builder, surveyor, and concreter so the program holds.
On day one we set out from the engineer's pegs or marks, confirm levels with the dumpy or laser, identify any underground services with a Dial Before You Dig check, and walk through site safety with the operator.
The dig runs to the design depth and levels. Spoil is loaded direct to the tipper for cartage. Rock or hard ground is broken out with the hammer attachment. We hold the line, not just the bucket.
Pad finished to the millimetre, base prepped, compacted to spec where required, and edges cut clean. The next trade walks on and starts work without rework.
Site swept, hard standings clear, gates closed, any client requests handled before we float off. Invoice issued the same week with full itemisation. Nothing left undone.
Most residential earthworks jobs we quote across Melbourne fall between $3,000 and $15,000. Bulk works and basement digs run higher. The five factors below explain the spread.
Every Apollo quote is fixed and itemised so you see exactly where the cost sits. No day-rate surprises mid-job.
Cubic metres of spoil to be cut and carted is the single biggest cost driver. A small footing dig moves a few cubes; a full basement excavation can move several hundred. Volume drives machine size, tipper trips, and tipping fees.
Wide access for a 20T machine and a tandem tipper is the cheapest scenario. Tight side-gate jobs need smaller excavators and more passes, which lifts the hour count. Corner blocks and split levels can require extra setup.
Clay digs faster than rock. Wet, reactive ground can need extra removal under footings. Hard rock or basalt needs the hammer attachment, which costs more per hour but saves time over a manual approach.
Clean fill is cheaper to dispose of than contaminated or mixed spoil. Distance to the nearest accepting tip site also matters. We always price tipping in the quote so you see the line item rather than discovering it later.
Floating a machine onto site has a fixed cost regardless of job size. Short single-day jobs sometimes see a higher per-hour figure because the float spreads over fewer working hours. Multi-day jobs amortise the mobilisation cost across the program.
Site cut pricing depends on volume of material removed, site access, soil type, and whether tipping is included. Most residential site cuts fall between $3,000 and $15,000. Apollo provides fixed quotes after a free on-site assessment so there are no surprises mid-job.
A standard residential site cut usually takes one to three days. Bulk excavation for basements or larger commercial sites can run one to three weeks. Footing digs and trenching for a single dwelling are often completed in half a day to a full day. Exact timelines are confirmed with every quote.
Apollo runs excavators from 1.7T compact machines for tight residential access through to 30T for bulk earthworks on commercial and civil sites. We match the machine to the access, soil, and volume rather than forcing the wrong piece of gear onto the job.
Yes. We run tandem tippers for cartage and spoil removal as part of any earthworks job, and we can quote tipper hire separately for builders moving their own material. Tipping fees are itemised on every quote.
Yes. Our 1.7T and small excavators fit through standard side-gate access, and our operators are used to working around fences, gardens, and existing builds without damage. Very tight sites may need a smaller machine or wheelbarrow spoil-out, which we quote on inspection.
Yes. Excavator and Posi-Track wet hire is available by the day or week, including operator, fuel, and transport. Wet hire suits builders and civil contractors who need short-term machine capacity without running their own fleet. See our Haulage and Hire page for rates.
For most residential jobs we can attend site for a free quote within 24 to 48 hours and book works within one to two weeks of acceptance. Urgent jobs can sometimes be slotted sooner. Call 0431 560 908 to check current diary.
Demo, land clearing, rock breaking and site clean-ups before the dig starts. Old slabs, sheds, fences and vegetation cleared so we can cut clean.
Tipper hire, material haulage, and excavator and Posi-Track wet hire for builders running their own crews. Day or week rates, operator and fuel included.
Retaining walls, drainage, driveways and concrete slabs. The structural side that follows on after the dig is complete.
Call Kosta directly for a fast, honest quote on your next dig.