Granite Road Base access Driveway – Kiowa

Dirt Dogs Excavating recently completed installing a new granite road base access driveway to a shop in Kiowa, Colorado. The property owner had an old, beat up road – about 300 ft. – that was rattling his teeth out when he drove on it and decided enough is enough! Dirt Dogs smoothed out the washboards and potholes and created a new crown to allow water and snowmelt to run off to the sides. We topped it off with two truckloads of granite road base which provides excellent traction especially in snow. The whole project only took one day. Another driveway job done perfectly!

Dirt Dogs are  your Driveway Installation Experts! If you need a new crushed granite or asphalt driveway or dirt driveway or asphalt driveway, driveway repairs or  overhaul – you know who to call! Or email us for a driveway quote! 

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Asphalt Driveway Install in Parker, CO

Dirt Dogs Excavation recently installed a 750 ft. ASPHALT DRIVEWAY in Parker, Colorado.  But this was challenging project because the old gravel driveway was a complete disaster AND it went virtually straight up a big hill. The original driveway was so incredibly steep that it was near impossible for the property owner to drive up his own driveway in the winter. The owner got tired of leaving his vehicle at the bottom and trudge up that miserable thing in the cold and the snow!!!

Besides its steepness, this driveway in Parker also had major league drainage problems! To fix all this, we provided major earth moving work to reshape the driveway, the land around it and improve the water run off. This included installing an 80 ft. culvert and drainage ditch. Now any rain or snow melt will flow around the sides and run out through the drainage ditch.

This asphalt driveway project took about a week to excavate the land and prepare the driveway plus another week to laydown the asphalt. 750 ft. for a paved driveway is no joke! But once again…Dirt Dogs Excavation was up to the task and proud to do an amazing job – making their customer happy as a kid in a candy store!

Dirt Dogs are  your Driveway Installation Experts! If you need a new asphalt driveway, or crushed asphalt driveway or dirt driveway or crushed gravel driveway, or driveway overhaul – you know who to call! Or email us for a driveway quote! 

Need some help with Financing? Click Here to learn more!

 

 

Added Recycled Asphalt to and Existing Driveway in Franktown, CO


Dirt Dogs Excavating recently finished grading and installing a new layer of recycled asphalt driveway for a rural homeowner in , Colorado. This homeowner is putting his home up for sale and wanted to improve the look to make a better impression on potential buyers. The old driveway was about 300 ft. long and out of shape with  ruts and some small pot holes. Dirt Dogs Excavation rolled in an “capped” the driveway with 3 loads of recycled asphalt which was smoothed out  withroad grader until it was a thing of beauty!

When this Franktown, CO driveway was finished the homeowner was happy and ready to put his home on the market and “for sale” sign up.

If your Colorado driveway is in need of repairs, fixes or an upgrade we invite you to give us a call! Or email us through our Quote form.

Installing a Recycled Asphalt Driveway in Larkspur, CO

recycled driveway installation in Larkspur, Colorado
Dirt Dogs Excavating recently finished installing a smooth riding recycled asphalt driveway for a ranch in scenic Larkspur, Colorado. Of course, most cowboys have their own tractors and  maintain their own driveways as best they can but at some point the wear and tear by farm equipment and weather simply overwhelm driveway and turn it into a complete disaster – filled with muddy ruts where snow melt and water runoff have them begging Dirt Dogs to help them out. We bring in the heavy duty road graders and decades of experience and take care of business.

This Larkspur driveway was indeed a disaster when we arrived. But we regraded the driveway and surrounding landscape so it drained properly. Then we brought in about 250 tons of recycled asphalt and smoothed that out. When we were done the owner would have cried if he wasn’t a tough Colorado cowboy. But he was very thankful and yet another happy Dirt Dogs success story!

grading and recycled driveway installation in Larkspur, Colorado

If your Colorado driveway is in need of repairs, fixes or an upgrade we invite you to give us a call! Or email us through our Quote form.

New Driveway Installed in Parker, CO

Dirt Dogs Excavating installed another new driveway in Parker, Colorado. This driveway involved excavating the land and creating a 28 ft. wide driveway to allow access to a recreational facility as per the town’s code. After we excavated the driveway we came in an laid down Class 6 granite to top off this driveway. Of course the driveway is perfectly graded to allow for easy runoff of rain or snow melt. We also did a massive amount of work on the drainage as well as installing a culvert. This crushed granite driveway is about 350 ft. long and allows for 2 way traffic.

When you’re ready to upgrade your driveway or install a new one we invite you to get in touch with Dirt Dogs and we’ll come out and give you our best advice on what materials to use, etc. as well as provide an estimate to do the job right! Request a quote today! 

 

Recycled Asphalt Driveway – Calhan, CO

recycled asphalt road excavation and install - Calhan, CO

Dirt Dogs Excavation recently installed  a 900 ft. long by 14 ft wide by 6 in thick recycled asphalt driveway for a home in the beautiful, wide open area of Calhan, Colorado.  At 900 ft. this is more of a road than a driveway!

This driveway was for a new home which you can’t see in this photo. Dirt Dogs brought in 12 semi-trucks filled with recycled asphalt. We prepped and excavated the ground on day one. But the boss man came in day 2 and reworked the driveway to satisfy his  perfectionist needs to have the job done perfectly! Once that was done they semis came in an put down the recycled asphalt which smoothed out and then compacted by the heavy tractors. The whole job took about 2.5 days of work. But with some regular maintenance should last many years to come!

You’ll notice from the photo above that the road is nice and smooth and has a nice drainage area on both sides to allow for water runoff.

Where is Calhan you ask? Calhan is a town located in eastern part of El Paso County, Colorado. The town population was 762 at the 2020. But if you want wide open spaces with plenty of elbow room – that’s the place to find it!

Of course if you need a brand new driveway – no matter the size – Dirt Dogs Excavation is happy to help! Just give contact us and hire the top excavation company around Colorado!

 

Steps to Repair a Washed out Dirt Driveway

From time to time inquisitive customers in need of a new driveway will ask us to outline how Dirt Dogs Excavation repairs washed-out, rutted out driveways using roadbase, crushed gravel, crushed rhyolite, crushed asphalt, etc.. For those curious people, here are the basic steps we use for driveway repair and installation:

Site Assessment & Driveway Inspection:

We’ll listen to the property owner and take their ideas and begin by thoroughly inspecting the area where you want your driveway installed or fixed.  If your driveway needs repairs we’ll figure out the extent of the damage and identify any underlying issues that might be contributing to the problem.  Sometimes its just typical wear and tear. Sometimes its a flash flood that’s caused the damage.  This summer we’ve had an extraordinary amount of rain caused damage.

Safety Precautions:

Of course we always prioritize safety by identifying and mitigating potential hazards on the site, such as unstable soil, drop offs, debris, or nearby utilities. The last thing we want to do is accidentally run into a buried utility of some sort!

Permits and Regulations:

If necessary we’ll check the local regulations and obtain any required permits for excavation or repair work if the driveway is on public ground. However, most of our work is on private roads and driveways and on rural properties or horse farms in places like Elizabeth or Parker, Douglas County, Kiowa, etc. Typically don’t need a permit to work on a driveway for a privately owned piece of property.

Project Planning, Design and Estimate:

We figure out what needs to be done, discuss the job and options available with the property owner’s needs (and budget) and  we can even provide an estimate and outline of the job including type of road base and estimated costs. We’ll also discuss and agree on drainage improvements, soil stabilization, and the type of materials needed. In some cases, for example, a problematic drainage area might need a culvert (or an earth berm) to keep water from washing out a driveway. (More on that later.) But keep in mind, most driveways – even long ones – are pretty straight forward projects for us.  Also, you might have a special need for parking spaces or even a side road into your horse property. No problem. We can handle any of that. In fact, you might want to know that we are experts at installing horse arenas and barn pads (which often need a nice driveway for easy access) so we can help with that too.

Because we’ve fixed an repaired zillions of driveways  for many years, we’re experts at fixing driveways and installing new ones  – we know what to do fix, repair and install driveways and will give you our best recommendations and best plan to deliver you a driveway you’ll love.  We’ll provide you with an estimate for the work you want done so you know what your options and costs are up front.

Materials and Equipment:

Based on the site inspection, we’ll bring in the necessary heavy machinery for the job such as: road graders, excavators, compactors, dump trucks, etc. We’ll also calculate out how many truckloads of material will need to be hauled in such as crushed gravel, road base or crushed asphalt.

Drainage Enhancements:

Water run off is a major enemy of rural driveways in Elizabeth, Parker, Castle Rock and Kiowa so we are “all about” shaping the driveway and surrounding landscape to help the driveway last over time. But in some cases we have to do more drastic measures to  address poor drainage issues (in low lying areas) by installing or upgrading drainage systems like culverts, ditches, or build up the ground to divert water away from the driveway and reduce washouts.

Excavation and Soil Preparation:

Finally the fun begins! Let’s get to work and move some dirt! Our crew will roll in the heavy equipment and excavate the damaged area, smoothing over and removing washed-out soil and debris. We will build a smooth, stable base for the new driveway that will help guide water to drain off gently to help prevent washouts and prevent erosion.

Road Base &  Grading:

We typically might have 5-10 truckloads of material dropped off for the road base. With each dump of material we’ll spread that out  add a layer (or layers) of road base or crushed asphalt to the excavation, to achieve the desired grade and slope for the driveway. We strive to grade the driveway surface until it’s a beautiful, smooth, level and well-compacted surface, paying attention to proper drainage so your driveway will be pretty as a picture and the drive in and out of your property will be a smooth, pleasant ride!

Clean-Up:

Once we’re done we’ll finish off everything nice an pretty by removing excess materials, debris, and equipment from the site and dispose of waste properly.

Erosion Control:

If you need to implement erosion control measures, such as seeding, mulching, or erosion control blankets, to protect against future erosion we can do that too.

Quality Assurance:

Once were’ done we’ll have our clients thoroughly inspect the installed or repaired driveway to ensure it meets their specified standards and obtain the  approval.

So there you have it. These are the basic steps to install or repair a driveway (give or take some things) which are used when we install or repair a worn out, washed-out driveway using road base or crushed asphalt, ensuring a durable and effective restoration. Of course there are some exceptions. If your driveway has some unusual characteristics we’ll be sure to adapt the process to those unique specific conditions and requirements and maybe add or remove a step or two – but no matter what we’ll install or fix your driveway for you better than anyone else!

New Driveway Installed a New Gravel driveway for Lola in Elizabeth

Dirt Dogs Excavation loves each of our incredible customers but we recently worked for perhaps the all sweetest of them all – Lola – a 91 year old senior citizen located in the heart of scenic Elizabeth, CO.  Lola is a gem. Witty, sharp as a tack, funny and still going strong. But driving down her driveway would rattle her dentures out of her head. Like a hundred other property owners in Elizabeth, Lola’s  driveway got ruined by the frequent washouts from the heavy rains she had this year. So of course – being so smart – she knew who to call to fix her driveway. Yep. Dirt Dogs Excavation came to the rescue!  We regraded and smoothed Lola’s driveway – removing all the driveway ruts, craters and holes. Then we brought in 125 tons of recycled asphalt and graded it perfectly smooth. Now Lola’s can drive up and down her driveway without losing her dentures. We hate to brag too much but this new driveway installation was a true work of perfection. And best of all – Lola was happy cowgirl.

True happiness is found in the simple things: a smooth trail, a faithful friend, and a job well done.

Of course if your driveway is in need of some serious repairs we encourage you to touch base with Dirt Dogs Excavation – your driveway installation experts!

Commercial Parking Lot Grading – Parker, CO

Dirt Dogs Excavating recently completed preparation and expert grading work for a commercial parking lot in Parker, Colorado. This parking lot runs around 7,000 sq ft. and needed a fine touch to grade the surface smoothly and perfectly around the whole area and right up to the curbs and walls. If you study this photo closely you’ll notice that this parking lot is picture perfect example on how to properly prepare a parking lot for a hot asphalt mix that will soon be laid over the top. While many people don’t think much about parking lots – we do! A parking lot that funnels rain into a building can spell disaster for the property owner.  When we road grade a driveway or parking lot Dirt Dogs makes sure that any run off from snow melt or rain will drain smoothly away from the building. And we try to ensure a super-smooth surface that people will appreciate even though they probably won’t write a book about their parking lot experience.

So in conclusion, Dirt Dogs is an expert in driveways and parking lots and the road grading machines that we operate daily. If you need a new parking lot or driveway – get in touch and we’ll help you out.

We hate to brag but yes…those are some beautiful parking lot photos!

For extra credit reading we’ve included this valuable information for people curious about parking lots…

Why are Parking Lots Important?

First of all…imagine if DIA didn’t have a parking lot. Yep. DIA is miserable as it is but with no parking lot it would be way worse! Enough said. Parking lots are VERY important!
So…back to the question – why are parking lots important?

  • Convenience: Parking lots provide a convenient place for people to park their vehicles when they need to visit a particular location. Without parking lots, people would have to park on the street or out in the weeds which can be inconvenient and sometimes unsafe.
  • Accessibility: If people couldn’t park by your business then you probably wouldn’t have any business. So parking lots are a great way to bring customers in – nice and close – so they can shop and splurge on whatever you’ve got to sell to them. Importantly, parking lots make it easier for people with disabilities or mobility issues to access buildings and businesses. Many parking lots have designated spaces for people with disabilities, which are closer to the building entrance and have wider spaces for wheelchair access.
  • Revenue generation: If you own a chunk of land in downtown Denver you could get rich off your parking lot by scalping high prices off folks. So, in those cases, parking lots can be a source of revenue for businesses or municipalities that own them by charging exorbitant fees for parking, which generate income. Now, if you’re in Parker or Elizabeth, Colorado nobody is going pay money to park so you can forget about this concept unless you start seeing skyscrapers popping up everywhere.
  • Traffic management: A good parking lot is well marked with lines that help people figure out how to park in a nice orderly manner. Parking lots can help manage traffic flow in busy areas. By providing designated parking areas, drivers can avoid congestion on the roads and reduce the risk of accidents. Most of all people like seeing a parking lot so they know where they’re supposed to park.
  • Safety: Parking lots can be designed with safety features such as lighting, security cameras, and emergency call boxes. This can make people feel safer when parking their vehicles and walking to their destination. Some parking lots in China have special surveillance technology too spy on their people but out in Parker and Elizabeth, CO we aren’t that crazy so we just like our parking lots to be a safe place to come and go.Overall, when parking lots are installed properly they provide convenience, accessibility, and safety for people who need to park their vehicles near your business. And Dirt Dogs Excavation is the best company to call when you need a new parking lot.

This is what happens when you have a poorly designed parking lot….

If you’ve made it this far…then you’ve probably had this question…

When was the first parking lot invented?

According to parking lot historians…the first known multi-story parking lot which was in fact a commercial parking garage was built in 1918 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. However, the concept of parking areas for vehicles dates back much earlier. Not quite to the Stone Age because no one needed to park back then. Pay attention now…in fact, the first public parking lot in the United States was created in 1904 in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a simple dirt lot that charged five cents per hour for parking. Prior to that, people would park their horses and carriages in designated areas, but the concept of a parking lot specifically designed for automobiles was a new invention back then. If that inventor had patented his idea and took a dollar for every parking lot ever created he would be…. dead…That’s right. Because no matter how rich you get you can still only live so long. OK…class is over. Thanks for paying attention!

Dirt Dogs is here to help you get the best parking lot or driveway or earth moved however you need AND sometimes we even educate along the way! But we all know you can’t teach an old dog new tricks so if you’re one of those old dogs…you’ll probably forget about everything you just read here. No matter. Have a great day – but don’t forget about Dirt Dogs Excavation and give us a call when you need earth moving expertise.

Residential and Commercial Driveway Installation Experts

road base driveway installation
road base driveway installation

Dirt Dogs Excavation is proud to be your residential and commercial driveway installation experts for Elizabeth, CO and surrounding areas. We are experts at installing and renovating the long driveways that service our neighbors out here in the beautiful horse country of Colorado.

Our Driveway Installation Services include:

  • Class 6 granite road base
  • Recycled materials. Asphalt, concrete, brick.
  • Colors black, gray, red, earth tones, brown- purple.
  • Cost effective and durable.
  • Grading, crowning and drainage.
  • New and refurbished driveways.
  • Drive surfaces and parking lots.
  • Residential and commercial driveways.

Below are a few photos of some of our projects we’ve done as a Driveway Installer.

crushed rhyolite road base driveway
crushed rhyolite road base driveway

The photo above shows one of our crushed rhyolite road base driveways.

Recycled-Asphalt-Driveway renovation
Recycled-Asphalt-Driveway-renovation

The photo above shows one of our recycled asphalt driveways we installed.

 

Crushed-Granite Driveway
Crushed-Granite-Driveway

The photo above shows one of our crushed granite driveways we installed.

Class 6 recycled concrete

This is a beautiful driveway made out of Class 6 recycled concrete.

 

Oakland-Red Roadbase for Driveway
Oakland-Red-Roadbase-Driveway
Crushed-Granite
Crushed-Granite-Driveway

Aren’t those driveways pretty! Keep in mind when we take special care in excavating the ground to account for drainage. We love helping people get a brand new or renovated driveway installed.  We invite you to call us when its time to fix up your old driveway or get a new one. We service all these areas:

Elizabeth, CO
Parker, CO
Douglas County, CO
Kiowa, CO
Larkspur, CO
Castle Rock, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Monument, CO
El Paso County, CO
Denver, CO
and more!!