Concrete & Flatwork Prep
Preparation work that protects concrete performance from the ground up
Cracks, uneven slabs, and sinking driveways usually aren’t caused by bad concrete. They happen because the ground underneath wasn’t prepared correctly. When soil shifts, bases settle, or water moves where it shouldn’t, the surface shows it.
Serving West Central Wisconsin, 715 Excavating prepares sites for concrete installations in Eau Claire, WI, and surrounding communities. We remove old surfaces, rebuild unstable bases, and shape and compact the ground as part of the broader sitework and grading that supports a solid foundation.
Why Contractors and Property Owners Choose 715 Excavating
Preparation-First Approach
We treat base construction as structural work, not cleanup. Every slab depends on it.
Direct Owner Oversight
From evaluation through final grading, the owner manages the work to keep quality consistent and communication clear.
Integrated Site Work
Concrete preparation is performed with awareness of surrounding grades, drainage paths, and access areas so elevations and water flow are handled correctly at the time of installation.
Clean, Build-Ready Surfaces
When we finish, the site is ready for forming and pouring without rework or delays.
What Our Concrete Preparation Services Include
Concrete Removal & Replacement Prep
Removing old flatwork is the first step in correcting long-term surface problems. We break and remove existing slabs, pads, sidewalks, and driveways, then clear the site so the new installation starts on clean, stable ground.
This service includes:
- Breaking and removing existing concrete surfaces
- Hauling and clearing debris from the site
- Exposing existing subgrade conditions
- Identifying settlement or drainage issues before rebuilding
- Preparing surfaces for proper base reconstruction
This step eliminates the causes of cracking and uneven settling before new concrete is placed.
Demolition and Base Prep for New Concrete Pours
New flatwork starts with the ground shaped correctly before any forms go up. We prepare sites for pouring by shaping subgrades and building base systems that support load and control water movement.
This service includes:
- Setting and correcting finished elevations
- Shaping subgrades to proper slope and drainage
- Installing and grading base material
- Preparing surfaces for forming and layout
- Creating uniform, build-ready pads
The goal is a level, well-drained surface that allows concrete to cure and perform correctly.
Subgrade & Base Preparation
The strength of a slab comes from what sits beneath it. We prepare subgrades and base layers that control settlement, resist seasonal ground movement, and maintain elevation over time.
This service includes:
- Shaping and correcting subgrade profiles
- Removing unsuitable or unstable material
- Establishing consistent depth and support
- Installing structural base layers
- Preparing foundations for residential and light commercial flatwork
This work prevents future movement that leads to cracking, sinking, and surface failure.
Compaction and Grading for Slabs, Pads, Sidewalks, and Driveways
Final grading and compaction determine how a surface performs under traffic and seasonal changes. We compact and fine-grade to create firm, accurate foundations for flatwork and access surfaces.
This service includes:
- Compacting base material in controlled lifts
- Establishing precise elevations and tolerances
- Shaping drainage slopes away from slabs and structures
- Preparing surfaces for forming and pouring
- Supporting vehicle and equipment loads
Proper compaction protects concrete from settlement, joint separation, and uneven wear.
Why Preparation Determines How Long Concrete Lasts
Concrete depends entirely on what sits beneath it. Without proper base construction and drainage control, slabs are vulnerable to:
- Settlement and uneven surfaces
- Cracking from movement and frost
- Water pooling beneath slabs
- Premature failure under traffic loads
Our work focuses on stability, elevation accuracy, drainage control, and compaction so concrete surfaces remain flat, strong, and serviceable for years.
Our Concrete Preparation Process
Site Review and Surface Evaluation
We review existing surfaces, soil conditions, drainage paths, and access before removal or preparation begins. This allows us to plan elevations, base thickness, and compaction methods correctly.
Removal and Subgrade Shaping
Existing concrete is removed as needed. We reshape the subgrade to correct elevation, slope, and drainage before placing any base material.
Base Placement and Compaction
We install base material, compact in controlled lifts, and fine-grade the surface so it meets the elevation and tolerance required for concrete installation.
Service Areas
715 Excavating proudly serves the following communities in Western Wisconsin:
- Eau Claire, WI
- Chippewa Falls, WI
- Menomonie, WI
- New Auburn, WI
- Osseo, WI
- Bloomer, WI
- Cadott, WI
- Stanley, WI
- Thorp, WI
- Withee, WI
- Greenwood, WI
- Fall Creek, WI
- Augusta, WI
- Mondovi, WI
- Eleva, WI
- Colfax, WI
- Cornell, WI
- Elk Mound, WI
- Chetek, WI
- Holcombe, WI
What Our Customers Are Saying
Ready to Pour on a Base That Holds Up
Good concrete starts before the forms go up. The right preparation protects your investment, reduces the risk of future repairs, and helps surfaces perform the way they should.
If you’re planning new flatwork or replacing existing concrete, we’re ready to review your site and prepare the ground correctly the first time.
Contact 715 Excavating to schedule your site evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you remove existing concrete before preparing for new pours?
Yes. We remove old slabs and flatwork as needed, haul debris away, and prepare the base so the new concrete can be installed on a stable surface.
How important is compaction for concrete performance?
Compaction is critical. Without a properly compacted base, slabs can settle, crack, or shift even if the concrete itself is well-poured.
Can you prepare bases for driveways, sidewalks, and building pads?
Yes. We prepare subgrades and base systems for driveways, sidewalks, slabs, pads, and access surfaces before concrete installation.
Do you handle drainage around concrete areas?
Yes. We shape grades and manage drainage so water moves away from slabs and does not collect beneath or alongside concrete surfaces.
Do you provide concrete preparation services in Eau Claire, WI, and nearby areas?
Yes. We provide concrete and flatwork preparation services in Eau Claire, WI, along with base preparation and grading across Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Fall Creek, Bloomer, and surrounding communities.