We Move Earth. You Move Forward.

Backwell provides full-service excavation and earthwork for commercial, municipal, and residential construction projects across Central New York. Whether you need 50 yards moved or 50,000, we bring the fleet, the crew, and the experience to get it done on schedule.

Our excavation work ranges from large-scale mass grading for commercial developments and solar installations to precise foundation digs for custom homes. We self-perform all earthwork — no subcontractors, no delays waiting on third-party trucking. Every cubic yard is moved by our equipment, hauled in our trucks, and placed by our operators.

We work directly with general contractors, developers, municipalities, and utility companies on projects typically ranging from $40,000 to $500,000+. Our Central New York focus means we understand the region's soil conditions, frost depths, drainage challenges, and permitting requirements across Oswego, Oneida, Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, Seneca, Wayne, and Cortland counties.

Capabilities

• Mass earthwork and cut/fill operations
• Fine grading to engineered specifications
• Rock excavation and removal
• Structural backfill and compaction
• Topsoil stripping, stockpiling, and redistribution
• Dewatering and temporary drainage
• Winter excavation with frost removal

Clients We Serve

• General contractors and construction managers
• Commercial and industrial developers
• Municipal DPW and highway departments
• Utility companies (National Grid, NYSEG)
• Solar energy developers
• Residential builders and homeowners

Equipment

• CAT and Komatsu excavators (mini to 80,000 lb class)
• Dozers for rough and fine grading
• Skid steers and compact track loaders
• Articulated and rigid dump trucks
• Compaction equipment (rollers, plate compactors)
• GPS/laser grading systems

Backwell handles commercial, agricultural, and residential demolition projects throughout Central New York. We take down structures of all sizes — from single-family homes and barns to commercial buildings, factory complexes, and industrial facilities. Every project includes complete debris removal, site cleanup, and restoration grading.

Our demolition team is equipped for both mechanical demolition and selective interior strip-outs. We manage asbestos abatement coordination, lead paint considerations, and all required environmental permitting. When the structure comes down, our own trucks haul the debris — we do not rely on third-party waste haulers that slow down your timeline.

Municipal and government clients rely on us for condemned structure removal, blighted property cleanup, and emergency demolition. Agricultural clients call us for barn removals, silo teardowns, and farm structure clearing. We work with county code enforcement, town assessors, and state agencies on demolition projects funded through grants and municipal budgets.

Capabilities

• Full-structure mechanical demolition
• Selective interior demolition and strip-out
• Asbestos-related demolition project management
• Concrete and foundation removal
• Silo, barn, and agricultural structure removal
• Underground tank removal (UST/AST)
• Site restoration and final grading after demo

Clients We Serve

• Municipalities and county governments
• State agencies (DOT, DEC, OGS)
• Commercial property owners and developers
• Agricultural operations and farms
• General contractors
• Environmental remediation firms

Equipment

• High-reach demolition excavators
• Hydraulic breakers and shears
• Grapple and sorting attachments
• Dump trucks and roll-off containers
• Dust suppression equipment

Backwell installs underground utility infrastructure for municipalities, utility companies, developers, and general contractors across Central New York. Our utility crews handle water main installation, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, underground electric, gas line trenching, and fiber optic conduit — from small residential service connections to large-scale municipal replacement projects.

We work on NYSDOT and county highway projects requiring utility relocation, new subdivision infrastructure packages, and emergency water/sewer main repairs. Our crews are experienced with pipe sizes from 4-inch residential services up to 36-inch trunk mains, and we maintain the specialized equipment needed for deep trench work, dewatering, and shoring.

Utility companies including National Grid and NYSEG contract with us for underground electric installation, pole line clearing, and transmission infrastructure support. We understand the coordination requirements for working in active right-of-ways, maintaining traffic control, and meeting utility company specifications for depth, bedding, and backfill.

Capabilities

• Water main installation and replacement (4" to 36")
• Sanitary sewer installation and repair
• Storm sewer and catch basin installation
• Underground electric duct bank and conduit
• Gas line trenching and backfill
• Fiber optic conduit installation
• Trench dewatering and shoring
• Hydrostatic testing and chlorination

Clients We Serve

• Municipal water and sewer departments
• County highway departments
• National Grid, NYSEG, and utility companies
• Telecom and fiber optic contractors
• Subdivision developers
• General contractors on commercial projects

Equipment

• Excavators with tilt-rotate attachments
• Mini excavators for tight-access utility work
• Trench boxes and hydraulic shoring
• Dewatering pumps and wellpoint systems
• Pipe lasers and grade control
• Compaction testing equipment

Backwell builds roads, parking lots, and access infrastructure for commercial developments, municipalities, and industrial facilities across Central New York. From new subdivision roads built to town highway specifications to commercial parking areas with proper drainage and grading, we handle the complete subgrade-to-surface scope of work.

Our road construction work includes clearing and grubbing, rough grading, subgrade preparation, stone base installation, and finish grading to paving specifications. We coordinate directly with asphalt pavers and concrete contractors to ensure a seamless handoff. For gravel roads and access routes, we handle the entire project from clearing to final surface.

Municipal highway departments and town boards contract with us for road reconstruction, shoulder work, ditch re-grading, and culvert replacements. Developer clients rely on us for complete subdivision infrastructure — roads, utilities, stormwater, and grading — as a single point of accountability.

Capabilities

• New road construction (gravel and paved subgrade)
• Parking lot construction and grading
• Road reconstruction and rehabilitation
• Subgrade preparation and stone base
• Shoulder reconstruction and widening
• Driveway and access road construction
• Temporary construction access roads

Clients We Serve

• Municipal and county highway departments
• Commercial and retail developers
• Industrial facility managers
• Subdivision developers and builders
• Agricultural and farm operations
• Solar farm and energy developers

Equipment

• Motor graders for fine road grading
• Dozers for rough grading and clearing
• Excavators for ditching and drainage
• Dump trucks for material delivery
• Vibratory rollers for compaction
• Water trucks for dust control

Backwell provides precision grading and complete site preparation for commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects across Central New York. Proper grading is the foundation of every successful build — it determines drainage, structural integrity, and long-term performance of the finished project.

We perform mass grading for large commercial pads and solar farms, fine grading for building foundations and parking areas, and subgrade work for road and utility construction. Our operators use GPS and laser-guided systems to hit engineered elevations within tight tolerances, reducing rework and keeping your project on schedule.

For developers and general contractors, we offer complete site preparation packages: clearing, stripping, rough grading, utility installation, stormwater management, erosion control, and final grading — all under one contract. This single-source approach eliminates coordination headaches and schedule gaps between subcontractors.

Capabilities

• Mass grading for commercial and industrial pads
• Fine grading to engineered tolerances
• Building pad preparation and compaction
• Parking lot and road subgrade work
• Athletic field grading and drainage
• Topsoil management (strip, stockpile, redistribute)
• Erosion and sediment control installation

Clients We Serve

• General contractors and construction managers
• Commercial and industrial developers
• Solar energy companies
• Residential subdivision developers
• Municipalities and school districts
• Agricultural operations

Equipment

• GPS-equipped dozers for precision grading
• Motor graders with laser control
• Excavators for cut operations
• Articulated dump trucks for fill
• Smooth drum and padfoot rollers
• Water trucks for moisture control

Backwell is a preferred site contractor for utility-scale solar farm development across Central New York. We provide complete site preparation — from initial clearing and grubbing through final grading and stormwater infrastructure — for solar installations ranging from 5 MW community solar to 100+ MW utility-scale projects.

Solar farm site prep demands a different approach than conventional construction. Panel arrays require precise grading tolerances across large acreages, access roads must support crane and delivery truck traffic throughout the installation phase, and stormwater management must comply with NYSDEC SWPPP requirements from day one. We understand these requirements because we have done the work.

Our solar work includes clearing and stump removal, topsoil management, mass grading and contouring, internal access road construction, perimeter fence line grading, retention/detention pond construction, and erosion control installation. We work directly with EPC contractors, solar developers, and engineering firms to deliver sites that are ready for racking installation on schedule.

Capabilities

• Large-scale land clearing (100+ acres)
• Mass grading for panel arrays
• Internal access road construction
• Perimeter fence line grading
• Stormwater retention/detention ponds
• SWPPP erosion control installation and maintenance
• Topsoil management and restoration grading

Clients We Serve

• Solar EPC contractors
• Utility-scale solar developers
• Community solar project companies
• Engineering and design firms
• Landowners with solar lease agreements

Equipment

• Large excavators for clearing and grubbing
• Dozers for mass grading operations
• Motor graders for road and pad work
• Articulated dump trucks for material movement
• Mulching heads for vegetation management
• Hydroseeding equipment for erosion control

Backwell designs and installs stormwater management and erosion control systems for commercial, municipal, and residential projects across Central New York. Proper drainage is essential for protecting buildings, roads, and infrastructure from water damage — and for meeting NYSDEC stormwater permit requirements on construction sites.

We install complete storm sewer systems including catch basins, manholes, and piping networks for commercial developments and subdivision infrastructure. For rural and agricultural properties, we build ditching, French drains, curtain drains, and surface drainage solutions that move water away from structures and into proper discharge points.

On active construction sites, we install and maintain SWPPP-required erosion and sediment control measures including silt fence, inlet protection, check dams, stabilized construction entrances, and temporary sediment basins. We understand what DEC inspectors look for and we keep your site in compliance from groundbreaking through final stabilization.

Capabilities

• Storm sewer system installation (12" to 48")
• Catch basin and manhole installation
• Retention and detention pond construction
• French drain and curtain drain systems
• Ditch excavation and re-grading
• SWPPP erosion control installation and maintenance
• Rip rap and energy dissipator installation

Clients We Serve

• Municipal DPW and highway departments
• Commercial and industrial developers
• General contractors on permitted projects
• Solar and energy developers
• Agricultural operations with drainage needs
• Residential homeowners with water problems

Equipment

• Excavators with grading buckets
• Mini excavators for residential drainage
• Skid steers for material placement
• Dump trucks for stone and fill delivery
• Laser levels for grade control

Backwell installs, replaces, and repairs septic systems for residential and commercial properties throughout Central New York. We handle conventional gravity systems, raised systems, pressure distribution systems, and engineered solutions for challenging soil conditions — working with local health departments and engineers to ensure code compliance.

For new construction, we coordinate septic design with your engineer and install the complete system: tank, distribution box, leach field or absorption bed, and all associated piping. For replacements, we handle the removal of the old system, soil evaluation, design coordination, and new system installation with minimal disruption to your property.

Our septic work extends to commercial properties including restaurants, offices, campgrounds, and small multi-family developments that require larger capacity systems and enhanced treatment. We work with Oswego, Oneida, Madison, Cayuga, and surrounding county health departments on permitting and inspection requirements.

Capabilities

• Conventional gravity septic system installation
• Raised septic system construction
• Pressure distribution system installation
• Septic tank and leach field replacement
• Perc testing and soil evaluation
• Commercial and multi-family systems
• Emergency septic repair and tank pumping coordination

Clients We Serve

• Residential homeowners (new construction and replacement)
• Real estate buyers and sellers (failed inspection repairs)
• Commercial property owners
• General contractors and builders
• Property management companies

Equipment

• Mini excavators for residential installations
• Standard excavators for commercial work
• Dump trucks for fill and gravel delivery
• Compaction equipment
• Pipe laser for gravity line installation

Backwell digs foundations for residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial structures across Central New York. Getting the foundation dig right is the most important earthwork on any building project — depth, dimensions, bearing capacity, and drainage all depend on an experienced excavation crew that understands soil conditions and structural requirements.

We work with builders, general contractors, and homeowners on full basement excavations, crawl space digs, slab-on-grade preparation, and footing excavation. Our crews understand frost depth requirements in Central New York, proper benching for deep excavations, and the importance of dewatering in our region's high water table areas.

After the foundation is poured and stripped, we handle backfill operations, waterproofing drainage installation, final grading around the structure, and all associated utility connections (water, sewer, electric). Many contractors use us for the complete site package: dig, backfill, grade, driveway, and utility connections — one crew from start to finish.

Capabilities

• Full basement excavation
• Crawl space and partial basement digs
• Slab-on-grade preparation and compaction
• Footing excavation and form support
• Structural backfill and compaction
• Foundation drainage (tile and membrane)
• Waterproofing backfill and final grading

Clients We Serve

• Custom home builders
• Production home builders and developers
• General contractors on commercial projects
• Homeowners building new homes
• Agricultural operations (barns, shops, buildings)

Equipment

• Mid-size excavators (30,000-60,000 lb class)
• Mini excavators for tight-access digs
• Dump trucks for spoil removal
• Compaction equipment for backfill
• Laser levels for depth and grade control

Backwell performs large-scale land clearing for commercial development, solar farm sites, agricultural conversion, and residential subdivisions across Central New York. We clear timber, remove stumps, process brush, and prepare raw land for its next use — whether that is a 200-acre solar array, a new commercial building pad, or a residential building lot.

Our clearing operations include timber harvesting coordination (we work with loggers to maximize timber value before we clear), stump removal and grinding, brush processing, topsoil stripping and stockpiling, and rough grading after clearing. For utility and pipeline right-of-way projects, we clear corridors to specification while minimizing disturbance to adjacent areas.

We handle all associated permitting coordination including NYSDEC wetland buffers, endangered species surveys, and tree removal permits. For solar developers, our clearing work is typically part of a larger site prep package that includes grading, access roads, and stormwater management.

Capabilities

• Large-acreage timber clearing (100+ acres)
• Stump removal and grinding
• Brush clearing and processing
• Right-of-way and corridor clearing
• Lot clearing for residential construction
• Topsoil stripping and stockpiling
• Selective clearing (preserve specimen trees)

Clients We Serve

• Solar energy developers and EPC contractors
• Commercial and industrial developers
• Residential subdivision developers
• Utility companies and pipeline contractors
• Agricultural operations expanding tillable acreage
• Municipalities clearing blighted properties

Equipment

• Large excavators with grapple and thumb attachments
• Dozers for push clearing
• Mulching heads and forestry attachments
• Stump grinders
• Dump trucks and hauling equipment
• Chippers and brush processors

Backwell performs bridge demolition, culvert replacement, headwall construction, and stream crossing infrastructure for municipalities, county highway departments, and private landowners across Central New York. Aging culverts and deteriorating stream crossings are a major infrastructure challenge in our region — we have the equipment and experience to replace them efficiently.

Our bridge and culvert work includes removal of existing structures, streambed preparation, new culvert installation (concrete box, corrugated metal, HDPE), headwall and wingwall construction, rip rap placement, and road restoration over the crossing. We coordinate with NYSDEC on stream disturbance permits, Army Corps of Engineers on wetland crossings, and local highway superintendents on road closure logistics.

For municipalities working with CHIPS funding, FEMA disaster recovery grants, or state bridge replacement programs, we understand the documentation, prevailing wage, and inspection requirements that come with publicly funded infrastructure projects.

Capabilities

• Culvert removal and replacement (12" to 120")
• Concrete box culvert installation
• Bridge demolition and removal
• Headwall and wingwall construction
• Stream diversion and temporary damming
• Rip rap and channel stabilization
• Road restoration over crossing structures

Clients We Serve

• Town and village highway departments
• County highway departments
• NYSDOT and state agencies
• Private landowners with stream crossings
• Agricultural operations with farm road crossings
• Camp and recreational property owners

Equipment

• Large excavators for demolition and placement
• Crane services for heavy precast
• Dump trucks for backfill and rip rap delivery
• Dewatering pumps for stream diversion
• Compaction equipment for structural backfill

Backwell provides precision trenching services for utility installation, fiber optic networks, gas distribution, irrigation systems, and electrical conduit across Central New York. Whether you need 200 feet of residential water service or 5 miles of fiber optic conduit along a county road, we have the equipment and experience to trench it on schedule and on grade.

Our trenching work spans residential service connections, commercial utility feeds, municipal water and sewer main installation, and large-scale fiber optic and electric utility projects. We work in active roadways with traffic control, along railroad rights-of-way, through agricultural fields, and in tight residential lots where access is limited.

We understand the depth, bedding, and backfill requirements for different utility types — from 42-inch cover for water mains to 36-inch cover for telecom. Our crews are experienced with trench safety requirements including shoring, trench boxes, benching, and daily competent person inspections as required by OSHA.

Capabilities

• Utility trenching (water, sewer, electric, gas, telecom)
• Fiber optic conduit installation
• Directional boring coordination
• Residential and commercial service connections
• Agricultural irrigation and drainage trenching
• Trench shoring and dewatering
• Bedding and backfill to utility specifications

Clients We Serve

• Utility companies (National Grid, NYSEG, Verizon)
• Telecom and fiber optic contractors
• Municipal water and sewer departments
• Gas distribution companies
• General contractors on development projects
• Agricultural operations

Equipment

• Chain and wheel trenchers
• Excavators with narrow buckets
• Mini excavators for residential work
• Trench boxes and hydraulic shoring
• Pipe lasers for gravity installations
• Dewatering pumps