Tight access excavation Gold Coast — 1.7T mini through a 900mm side gate
Most Gold Coast back yards aren't built for big machines. Sollid Solutions runs a 1.7T tight-access tracked excavator that fits standard 900mm side gates with tracks retracted — perfect for back-yard pool digs, pier holes, drainage, fence-line trenches and retaining wall excavation where a bigger machine simply can't get in.
- 1.7T tight-access mini fits a 900mm side gate
- Sub-900mm? We arrange a 1.0T or crane-in solution
- Owner-operated — careful work close to fences and houses
- Fully insured, with a Certificate of Currency on request
Tight-access excavation work we cover
Anywhere the back of the house needs digging without taking the fence down. Owner-builders, pool builders and landscapers regularly book us for the parts of their job a 5-tonne can't reach.
- Back-yard pool excavation through narrow side access
- Pier holes, footings and post holes near existing buildings
- Retaining wall excavation along boundary fences
- Drainage and stormwater trenches in established gardens
- Garden bed removal and back-yard site cleans
- Small pad cuts (shed, studio, granny flat) in tight spots
Will your access actually take a machine? How we check
The whole job hinges on one measurement: your narrowest access point. Our 1.7T mini runs about 990mm wide with the tracks out and retracts to roughly 900mm, so a standard 900mm side gate is usually enough to walk it through. But gate width is only the start — a step, a retaining wall, a soft lawn or a low pergola can all change the plan, which is why we look before we quote.
- Gate and pathway width at the narrowest point — 900mm is the usual threshold.
- Steps, level changes or retaining walls along the route in.
- Overhead clearance — eaves, pergolas, verandah roofs and low branches.
- Ground condition — soft lawn, pavers or a pool surround we need to protect.
- Turning and working room once the machine is in the back yard.
For the full rundown on how tight-access jobs are scoped and priced, our tight-access excavation guide walks through it with real examples.
What we dig in tight back yards
Owner-builders, pool builders and landscapers regularly book us for the parts of their job a 5-tonne simply can't reach. If it's behind the house and it needs digging without taking the fence down, it's our kind of work.
- Back-yard pool excavation through narrow side access.
- Pier holes, footings and post holes tight against existing buildings.
- Retaining wall excavation and benching along boundary fences.
- Drainage and stormwater trenches through established gardens.
- Garden-bed removal and full back-yard site cleans.
- Small pad cuts for a shed, studio or granny flat in a confined spot.
Protecting your property on the way through
Getting a machine down the side of a lived-in house is a careful job, not a fast one — and being owner-operated means the person doing it is the person who has to answer for any marks. The 1.7T runs on rubber tracks with low ground pressure, so it's gentle on surfaces, but we still take precautions on the way in and out.
- Ply or rubber mats laid over pavers, driveways and pool surrounds.
- Deliberate, slow travel past fences, downpipes, meters and irrigation.
- Spoil staged at the front and carted out in our own tipper — no giant skip on the verge.
- Any minor lawn rutting patched and tidied at handover.
A good example is a recent tight-access site prep in Ormeau — working along the fence line and leaving the client with a clean, level site.
Sub-900mm access: micro machine or crane-in
If your access is under 900mm, or a step or wall blocks the only way in, the job isn't off — we just change the approach. There are two common solutions on Gold Coast blocks, and at the free site visit we quote whichever one is cheaper for your situation:
- A 1.0T micro excavator that fits down to about 750mm.
- A crane-in lift, dropping the machine over the house into the back yard.
What tight-access excavation costs
Tight-access pool digs sit toward the top of the $3,500–$7,000 range for the excavation (plus around $2,000 for spoil removal), depending on size and rock, while smaller tight-access jobs like drainage, trenching and retaining excavation usually land between $1,500 and $4,500. Because the machine is smaller and the work is more careful, tight-access can take a little longer than open-block digging — but you get a fixed price after a site visit, with no risk of a mid-job 'access fee' surprise.
We measure your access and quote it in writing before we start. The extra time a tight block takes is already in the number you sign — we don't add it on afterwards.
Recent Tight Access Excavation Gold Coast jobs
Real photos from Sollid Solutions jobs — no stock images.
Why Gold Coast clients book us for tight access excavation gold coast
1.7T machine, rubber tracks, low ground pressure — easy on pavers and lawns on the way through.
Owner-operator means careful, deliberate work next to fences, pools, sheds and pipes.
We've completed pool digs and retaining cuts on Gold Coast blocks bigger contractors turned down.
We come, measure access and quote in writing — no risk of mid-job 'access fee' surprises.
Tight Access Excavation Gold Coast — suburbs we cover
We're based in Ormeau and run tight access excavation gold coast jobs across the north Gold Coast, the M1 corridor, the hinterland and Brisbane south. If you don't see your suburb listed, give us a call — we probably still cover it.
Tight Access Excavation Gold Coast — common questions
Will a 1.7T excavator fit through my side gate?+
If your gate is 900mm or wider, almost always yes — we retract the tracks and walk it through. If you're under 900mm or have a step/retaining wall in the way, we'll come look at access for free before quoting.
What if my access is less than 900mm?+
Two options: a 1.0T micro that fits down to about 750mm, or a crane-in over the house. Both are common on Gold Coast jobs — we'll quote the cheapest option that works.
Will the machine damage my pavers or lawn on the way through?+
Rubber tracks plus low ground pressure means surface damage is rare. On pavers we lay ply or rubber mats. On established lawns we work to minimise rutting and patch any marks at handover.
Can you dig a pool through tight access?+
Yes — most of our pool work is tight access. We dig, set up a spoil staging point at the front, and tipper-cart all spoil to a licensed depot. No need for a giant skip on the verge.
What does tight-access excavation cost?+
Tight-access pool digs sit toward the top of the $3,500–$7,000 range for the excavation, plus around $2,000 for spoil removal, depending on size and rock. Smaller tight-access jobs (drainage, trenches, retaining) usually $1,500–$4,500. Fixed price after a free site visit.
Tight Access Excavation Gold Coast — guides & case studies
Related services
What Gold Coast clients say
Real reviews from Sollid Solutions customers across the Gold Coast.
“Great experience having Turf delivered directly to me. They were able to accommodate a smaller than usual amount directly to our townhouse. Chelsey was really helpful.”
“Professionally done job.”
“Excellent communication and great delivery. Mulch was good quality and a great price!!! Would definitely go through them again!”
“Got these guys in to do a site cut, soil removal and bring in some material — honestly couldn’t fault them.They turned up when they said they would, got stuck straight into it and just got the job done properly. The site cut came up spot on, nice and level, and they kept everything tidy while they were working which made a big difference.Soil removal was quick and hassle-free, and the material they brought in was good quality and dropped exactly where we needed it. No mucking around.Good communication the whole way through and easy to deal with — which you don’t always get.Would definitely use them again and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing earthworks done 👍”
“they are really good people to work with they are ful of love and respect for there work highly recommend”
“Picked up gravel today and couldn’t be happier with the quality and service. The gravel was exactly as described, clean, consistent in size, and looks fantastic in my landscaping project. The staff were friendly, helpful, and made the whole process quick and easy. Great prices, excellent product, and outstanding customer service. Highly recommend and will definitely be back for future projects.”
“Sollid Solutions did an excellent job replacing our damaged fence and gate. Their communication was clear and professional throughout the entire process, and the quality of workmanship was outstanding. The project was completed efficiently and to a high standard. I would happily recommend Sollid Solutions.”
“We used Sollid Solutions for site clearing and excavation work in Helensvale and were seriously impressed with the professionalism and quality of work. John turned up on time, worked long hours and made the whole process stress-free. It’s refreshing to find a reliable earthmoving company that actually cares about the finished result. Highly recommend for anyone needing excavation, trenching or site prep around Helensvale, and the northern Gold Coast”
“We had Sollid Solutions complete levelling, clearing and crusher dust spreading at our property in Upper Coomera and couldn’t be happier with the result. John worked incredibly hard, turned up when he said he would and got the job done properly. It’s hard to find tradies this reliable these days. Highly recommend for excavation and earthworks across Upper Coomera.”
“Fantastic experience with Sollid Solutions. They helped us with a tank pad, trenching and property clean-up in Guanaba. Super professional, great attention to detail and the finished result came up better than expected. Honest, reliable and easy to communicate with. Highly recommend for excavation, earthmoving and site preparation around Guanaba, Wongawallan, Tamborine and the Gold Coast hinterland.”
“Couldn’t recommend Sollid Solutions enough. John completed excavation and levelling work for us in Pimpama and absolutely smashed it out. Hard worker, easy to communicate with and takes pride in doing the job properly. The site was left clean, level and exactly how we wanted it. Great pricing and genuine service. We’ll definitely be using Sollid Solutions again for future earthworks on the Gold Coast.”
“These guys were a pleasure to deal with and got 3m cubed of crusher dust delivered up a steep narrow road in willow vale without issue.”
“Thank you for the prompt delivery of the gravel. Great product at a reasonable price. Very happy with the service and would definitely recommend.”
“These guys are the best”
“Very happy with the work, really hard working team 👍”
“Both John and Chelsey are fantastic people. Their communication, customer service, and delivery were all outstanding. It's great to support a local business that genuinely cares from the start of the job until the end.”
“A personable couple building their little local business. Good rates, prompt delivery and delivered with a smile. Thanks Johnny and Chelsey, the loads of mulch are A-grade. Kind regards, Dave.”
“Excellent service. Great people.”
“I had John come out today to remove a garden bed. First time meeting today — he was on time, I found him to be reliable, great with communication and always letting me know what he is going to do. He takes pride in his work.”
“Quick, clean and efficient service. Friendly and accommodating with my schedule of being a night shift worker. Highly recommend.”
Need tight access excavation gold coast? Let's talk.
Call John direct for a free on-site quote — fixed price, no surprises, owner-operated from start to finish.