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Land Clearing & Grading in Nanaimo

Maxx Contracting provides land clearing, grubbing, and grading services across Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island. From overgrown properties and development sites to stump removal, lot preparation, and rough or finish grading, our crews handle clearing, excavation, hauling, and grading from start to finish.

Land cleared and graded on a Nanaimo lot
★★★★★
Rated on Google · Licensed · Insured · WCB Covered
  • ★★★★★ 5-Star
  • Licensed
  • Insured
  • WCB Covered
  • Free Estimates
  • Van Island

What's Included

Land Clearing & Grading in Nanaimo

Before anything gets built, the lot has to be cleared and brought to grade. We handle both:

01
Lot & Land Clearing

Brush, vegetation, trees, and debris cleared to prepare properties and development sites for construction or future use.

02
Grubbing & Stump Removal

Stumps, roots, and buried vegetation removed to prepare the site for excavation, grading, and construction.

03
Development Site Clearing

Land clearing and site preparation for residential, commercial, strata, and development projects.

04
Rough Grading & Earthworks

Earthmoving and grading to establish site elevations, contours, drainage, and building areas.

05
Finish Grading

Final grading and shaping for lawns, driveways, landscape areas, and finished sites.

06
Lot Levelling & Site Preparation

Reshaping sloped or uneven properties to create usable ground and prepare sites for future construction.

07
Road & Driveway Grading

Grading and shaping of access roads, gravel driveways, and site access areas for proper drainage and use.

08
Debris Hauling & Disposal

Cleared material, stumps, brush, and site debris loaded and hauled off-site with our own trucks and equipment.

Grading & Lot Levelling in Nanaimo

Grading & Lot Levelling in Nanaimo

Clearing the site is only the first step. Proper grading establishes the elevations, contours, and drainage required for what comes next. We complete rough and finish grading for development sites, building areas, driveways, lawns, and landscape projects. From sloped properties to larger sites, our crews use modern equipment to shape and prepare the ground for the next stage of construction.

Why Maxx Contracting

Built right, start to finish.

Complete Site Clearing & Grading

From clearing and grubbing to hauling, earthworks, and final grading, our crews manage the work from start to finish.

Clear, Detailed Pricing

Detailed quotes based on site conditions, vegetation, stumps, access, hauling, disposal, and grading requirements.

Experienced Crews & Modern Equipment

Excavators, loaders, trucks, and compact equipment matched to properties and projects of different sizes.

Our Own Trucking & Hauling

Cleared material, stumps, brush, and debris can be loaded and hauled off-site with our own equipment and trucks.

Recent Work

Land Clearing & Grading projects on the Island

Compact excavator working beneath a buildingExcavator spreading gravel for a new drivewayExcavator demolishing an old drivewayExcavators at a commercial construction site on Vancouver IslandExcavator on a roadway construction site near NanaimoExcavator working alongside a cement truck

See more land clearing & grading projects →

Reviews

What clients say

on Google
★★★★★
“Working with Brandon at Maxx Contracting was an excellent experience that I highly recommend. He was responsive, professional, and transparent. His quotes are very competitive. Brandon and his crew showed up early and worked late to get our project done on schedule and on budget. We hired them to to construct an 8 foot engineered lock block retaining wall. This involved a huge excavation that was done cleanly and efficiently. We were struck by the painstaking care that was taken to ensure the wall was straight and level. Afterwards, we had Brandon and the crew renovate a gravel driveway, re-grade a yard, dig some trenches, and do other small jobs - all while we were out of town on vacation. Brandon sent frequent photos and texts, called me daily, and ensured the work was done properly despite our not being there. If you need any excavation projects done, big or small, give Brandon at Maxx a call. They simply get it done!”
Josh Rizko · a year ago
★★★★★
“I'd like to take a moment here to rave about the fantastic experience I had with Brandon and his team. We used this company's services for a backyard overhaul. The first time Brandon came by for an estimate, I was so impressed by his thoughtful questions and attention to detail to make sure that he understood exactly what I was looking for. On our first meeting he even showed photos of the various rocks he offers to make sure I would be happy with the colours, sizes and textures. Throughout his time working at our home he was polite, showed up on time, worked incredibly hard and had fantastic communication skills. His whole crew was a joy to work with. I threw so many curve balls at Brandon and his team with many new ideas they hadn't tackled before. Nevertheless, they rolled with every idea and blew the execution out of the park! I am so captivated by how they transformed our space in only 3.5 short days. I could not recommend this company more highly for hardscaping/landscaping or backyard renovations! Thank you Brandon and team!”
Jessica Wilder · 3 years ago
★★★★★
“5 Starts to Maxx Contracting! We had a large rotted-out 400 sq ft deck. The beams were good, but the joists, deck boards, facing boards, some lattice all needed replacing, and we also wanted to modify the entry and stairs to allow wheelbarrow passage. Spencer lead the project and was fantastic to work with, and even raised the bar on an already nicely designed deck. He and Mike worked efficiently and consultation throughout was encouraged. We are so pleased with Deck 2.0 - pressure-treated wood, clean lines, routered edges, hidden fasteners. The new stair design is better than we had originally envisioned, the new 6'x3' gate is solidly hung and perfectly weighted. On time and on budget. Thank-you Maxx Contracting! It's been a pleasure doing business with you.”
Christy Plommer · 4 months ago
★★★★★
“I know nothing about building decks,and I was on the tight budget . I had several contractors come through. The most notable thing for me was that none of them offered wood decks except James from Maxx. My budget did not allow for Duradeck so I was grateful for his suggestion "Why not wood?", and I kept my old rails. Originalyl I was told it would be at least a month but they managed to fit me in and now I'm already for spring gardening. The workers were great and when I had a small concern at the end James immediately responded and offered to make that change. As well, the stairs off my deck are excellent. James sloped them perfectly and they are so wide and comfortable to use . I was able to stay in budget and love the look of my small, long new deck. It was unsafe before and Maxx has built it to be solid,safe and pretty!”
Lisa Kerry · a year ago
★★★★★
“From start to finish, we have been so impressed with Maxx Contracting. After scouring reviews and reaching out to several other contractors for our backyard levelling and retaining wall project, we finally came across Maxx and are so glad we did. Brandon is awesome, he came out to do our initial inspection/estimate and we felt immediately at ease- he was knowledgeable, easy to talk to from the get-go and offered suggestions we hadn’t considered to maximize our space. He was easy to get ahold of, remembered all the little details, checked in with us regularly throughout the project and was always quick to respond with any questions we had. Bradyn was heading the excavating crew and is such an asset to the team. He was so personable, friendly and accommodating. He and his guys worked incredibly fast and meticulously, grinding out long days in the heat. He checked in at the end of each day to show their progress and make sure I was happy with it and never left without cleaning up the worksite. The carpentry crew worked quickly and again, meticulously, to put up a fence, gate and build a new set of stairs off our deck that we are so happy with. Our yard feels so much bigger now and exactly what we had been dreaming of until we found these guys. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone!”
Lauren K · 11 months ago
★★★★★
“We at Millstream Manor have called on Maxx Contracting several times in recent years. In all cases they have provided reliable and affordable service. There was always full explanation of how the job was going, and proper clean-up was an important part of every job. We have been very satisfied and would not hesitate in calling on them in the future.”
Russell Rothenburger · Millstream Manor
★★★★★
“I would highly recommend Maxx Contracting. I had them build a retaining wall in a very difficult area to get at in Departure Bay. They did a superb job, in a timely fashion, and they have more than enough new or near-new equipment to do the job. You will not go wrong by having them do your project for you.”
Dick Allin · Departure Bay
★★★★★
“You guys dug up my waterline on Fitzwilliam St. today. Tonight when I returned home from work I had a look at the job. Good work! The driveway you had to dig up looks great. You were here when you said you would be. You got the job done. The price was reasonable. I will have no hesitation recommending you to friends or calling you back if I need your services again.”
Bob · Fitzwilliam St, Nanaimo
★★★★★
“After 17 years in my house it was time for a new front deck. Very special thanks to Steve and Dave for an extraordinary job. I LOVE my new front porch, and it makes my whole house look so much better too. I am already looking forward to my new deck in the backyard. You will have all my business now. You guys are #1.”
Scott McLeod
★★★★★
“Just wanted to say thanks for all the services you provided for us, and you can be sure we will tell our friends about your company and how satisfied both Mary and I are.”
J.P. Christianson · District Sales Manager, Mohawk Industries
★★★★★
“I hired Maxx Contracting to construct an Allan Block series of landscaping walls. It is gorgeous, and the workmanship was outstanding. I would not hesitate for a second to hire them again.”
Kenneth H. Young, CD · Nanaimo
★★★★★
“We recently had the pleasure of working with Maxx Contractors for our front landscaping project, which included the construction of a beautiful three-tiered Allan Block wall. Brandon and his crew were exceptional throughout the entire process. They demonstrated extensive knowledge, a strong work ethic, and the utmost professionalism in every aspect of the job. The end result exceeded our expectations, and we couldn’t be happier with our new front yard. We highly recommend Maxx Contractors for anyone seeking top-notch craftsmanship and reliable service.”
Mick Kennedy
★★★★★
“Excellent! Appreciate the quality of workmanship. Steve and his crew completed a project on the outside of our home from start to finish including cleanup the crew worked in a professional and respectful manner. Jane and Bryan Muise”
Jane Muise
★★★★★
“Dave is a great guy to deal with”
Matthew
★★★★★
“Hard working team! Fantastic job!”
Andrea Trepanier
★★★★★
“Brandon has done a few jobs for me now and is always courteous and professional while doing a terrific job in a timely manner. He cleans up and checks in to ensure you are happy with the job. I highly recommend MaxxContracting.”
Elaine Seymour

FAQ

Questions about land clearing & grading

What does land clearing cost in Nanaimo?
Cost depends on the size of the area, how dense the brush and trees are, the number and size of stumps, rock and slope conditions, how far material has to be hauled, and disposal. A light brush-clearing job is modest; a treed, stumpy, or rocky lot takes more machine time and trucking. We give you a detailed quote after a free site visit rather than a price by the acre over the phone.
Do I need a permit to clear land or remove trees in Nanaimo?
Often, yes. The City of Nanaimo and other local jurisdictions have tree-protection and land-clearing bylaws that vary by lot size, zoning, and slope, and underground utilities must be located before we dig. We help you understand what applies and make sure the locates and any required permits are handled before work begins.
Do you remove and haul away stumps and debris?
Yes. We grub out stumps and roots rather than just cutting them at grade, and we load and haul the brush, wood, and debris off-site with our own trucks and bins. You are left with a cleared, graded lot, not a burn pile.
What's the difference between rough grading and finish grading?
Rough grading shapes the ground to the right contours and elevations, setting up drainage and the base for whatever is being built. Finish grading is the final, even surface you put a lawn, driveway, or building pad on. Many jobs need both, and we handle them in sequence.
Can you grade for drainage and level a sloped lot?
Yes. We set deliberate slopes so surface water sheds away from buildings and driveways, and we level or terrace sloped lots into usable ground. Because we also do excavation and drainage work, we can tie the grading into proper site drainage where the lot needs it.
What areas do you serve for land clearing and grading?
We serve Nanaimo, Lantzville, Cedar, Ladysmith, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Duncan, and the surrounding central Vancouver Island communities. If you are not sure whether we cover your site, give us a call.

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