Excavation Contractor in Mount Holly, NC

Land clearing and grading near the Catawba River in Mount Holly

Mount Holly sits just west of the Catawba River, north of I-85 and south of NC 16. The City describes itself as nestled along the banks of the river. A state rule for the Catawba River Basin covers 50-foot wide riparian buffers along the river's mainstem below Lake James. It also covers mainstem lakes such as Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake and the North Carolina part of Lake Wylie.

When a lot runs down to the river, that buffer marks the edge of our work. We clear and grade the buildable part of the lot, on the land side of the line. Confirm where the buffer falls on your lot before any clearing is planned.

On the buildable ground, we take down trees and brush, pull stumps and haul the debris off. Then we grade the lot so water drains away from the house site. The USDA's Gaston soil series, with its red clay subsoil, was established in this county. Bare clay sheds rain fast, so silt fence and a stone entrance go in first where the plan shows them.

Which office permits a build or demolition in Mount Holly?

In Mount Holly, the City's zoning compliance permit comes first. That permit only states that the proposed use meets the City's Zoning Ordinance. The City has up to ten business days to review a permit. It works permits in the order they come in.

Building and trade permits are a separate step, through Gaston County Building and Development Services. The county lists Mount Holly among the towns where it handles building permits and inspections. Its review may call for engineered or architectural plans. Where a county permit applies, it must be issued before construction begins.

The owner or the builder holds these permits, and we work under them. The City also has its own right of way and driveway permit. Ask the City before a new drive or any work at the street. When an old house, garage or slab has to go, our demolition work takes it down and hauls it off. State law calls for NC811 notice no less than three full working days before an excavation or demolition starts.

Mill town lots, Dutchman's Creek and drainage in Mount Holly

Mount Holly took its name in 1875 from the Mount Holly Cotton Mill, started that year. It was the fourth mill built in Gaston County and is the oldest surviving mill today. The Woodlawn Mill on Woodlawn Avenue followed in 1906, the first mill in the county served with electricity. The Downtown Mount Holly Historic District and the cotton mill are both on the National Register of Historic Places.

The area's first land grants were in the locale known as Dutchman's Creek. The Nims Manufacturing Company was founded on that creek, and today the City keeps a kayak landing there. Older lots can hide old slabs and footings, which is one reason we look at the ground before we quote. Before work on an older building downtown, ask the City what review applies.

When a yard holds water, we fix yard drainage with regrading, swales, French drains and buried pipe. Where a cut leaves a steep bank, a segmental block retaining wall can hold the slope. For a taller wall, ask Gaston County what design the building code calls for.

Utility trenching, hauling and pool digs around Mount Holly

New homes and additions need water, sewer and power lines run to them. Our trenching work digs to the depth the trade, plan or utility sets. The trench stays open for the inspection, then we backfill and compact it. The electrician, the plumber and the utility make their own connections.

Spoils, brush and demolition debris leave the site by dump truck. Fill dirt and stone come in when the grade needs it. That is our material hauling work. For a new inground pool, our pool excavation follows the pool builder's plan and depth.