Trenching & Drainage Perth: Services & Utilities
Trenching is one of the most common excavation tasks on Perth residential and commercial sites. Whether you are laying stormwater pipes, service conduits, power cables or communication lines, a clean, straight trench dug to the right depth makes the whole job easier.
Service trenches for pipes, cables, conduits and stormwater
Komatsu PC18 for tight access, PC55 for longer or deeper runs
300mm, 600mm and 900mm buckets for correct trench widths
Rock breaker available where limestone or rock is encountered
What Trenching Work We Do in Perth
Trenching covers a wide range of work across residential, commercial and civil sites. The common thread is excavating a narrow, controlled channel to a specified depth for a specific purpose.
We run Komatsu excavators with 300mm, 600mm and 900mm GP buckets. The bucket size determines the trench width, so we match the bucket to your pipe or conduit specification before the machine leaves the yard.
Most Perth trenching work suits the Komatsu PC18 or PC55. The PC18 is narrow enough to get through a side gate and work in confined yards. The PC55 gets through deeper stormwater runs and longer service trenches faster.
Types of Trenching We Handle
- Stormwater drainage trenches for downpipe runs and surface water management
- Sewer connection trenches linking to the Water Corporation main
- Electrical conduit trenches for power supply and sub-mains
- Communication and NBN conduit runs
- Gas service trenches to ATCO Gas specifications
- Irrigation supply trenches for residential and commercial gardens
- Soakwell inlet runs connecting downpipes to soakwell pits
Always Locate Underground Services Before Trenching
Call Dial Before You Dig (1100) before any trench is cut. Perth sites often have unmarked legacy services - particularly older clay sewer lines and unrecorded power conduits. Our operators do not begin trenching until you confirm services have been located.
Trenching Equipment and Specifications
300mm
Narrow Bucket
Electrical conduit and communication trenches
600mm
Standard Bucket
Stormwater pipe and sewer trenches
900mm
Wide Bucket
Large diameter pipe and dual-service trenches
~4.2m
Max Trench Depth
Komatsu PC55 in standard soil conditions
| Trench Type | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Recommended Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical conduit (residential) | 300mm | 500-600mm | PC18 or PC55 |
| Stormwater 100mm pipe | 300mm | 500-800mm | PC18 or PC55 |
| Stormwater 150-225mm pipe | 450-600mm | 600-1200mm | PC55 |
| Sewer connection (residential) | 450-600mm | 1.0-2.5m | PC55 |
| Deep stormwater main | 600-900mm | 1.5-3.5m | PC55 or PC138 |
Machine and bucket selection guide for common Perth trenching applications
Trenching Through Limestone and Rock in Perth
Included In The Rate
- The hydraulic rock breaker on the PC18 or PC55 breaks up limestone before the GP bucket clears it
- Progress through hard limestone is slower than sand - we price limestone trenching separately
- Sometimes a combination run is needed: breaker to break, bucket to clear
- Very hard rock may need a different approach - call us if you know the ground is solid limestone below 300mm
How We Handle Limestone Trenching
“We dig, trench, break rock and cart the spoil away. Tell us what is in the ground and we will bring the right setup.”
Plant Hire Perth
How Trenching Is Priced in Perth
| Machine | Indicative Day Rate (from) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Komatsu PC18 (1.8t) | From $1,500/day | Tight access, standard soil |
| Komatsu PC55 (5.5t) | From $1,700/day | Longer runs, deeper trenches |
| Rock breaker addition | Call for rate | When limestone or rock is confirmed |
What Affects Trenching Job Cost
- Trench length and depth - longer and deeper means more machine hours
- Ground conditions - sand is fast, limestone is slow
- Access to the trench line - obstacles, gardens, existing structures
- Number of service types in the same run - doing stormwater and power in one trench saves time
- Transport distance from our Perth metro yard
Backfill and Reinstatement After Trenching
Trench Excavated and Spoil Stockpiled
The excavator cuts the trench to the agreed depth and width, stockpiling spoil alongside. We keep the trench walls clean and stable.
Pipe or Conduit Laid
Your plumber, electrician or civil contractor lays the pipe or conduit in the open trench. This is normally your responsibility unless we are coordinating the full package.
Backfill with Select Material
Once the service is in, the machine backfills in layers. Sand or select fill is used directly around the pipe. The upper layer is compacted to match surrounding ground.
Spoil Removed If Excess
If the pipe displaces more material than the trench can absorb, excess spoil is loaded into the tipper and carted off site. This is particularly common with concrete-bedded sewer lines.
Call us direct - most enquiries answered within the hour.
The Komatsu Fleet You Can Put To Work
Excavator Hire
Komatsu PC18 (1.8t) · PC55 (5.5t) · PC138 (13.8t)
Komatsu PC18, PC55 and PC138 diggers, 1.8t to 13.8t for any job size.
Excavator Hire
Mini Excavator Hire
Komatsu PC18 (1.8t) · rock breaker · plant trailer included
Komatsu PC18 1.8t for tight backyard and side access, rock breaker available.
Mini Excavator Hire
Bobcat Hire
Bobcat T450 · T590 · 4-in-1 buckets
Bobcat T450 and T590 skid steers with 4-in-1 buckets for levelling and clean-up.
Bobcat Hire
Tipper Truck Hire
8t Isuzu FVR tipper
8t Isuzu FVR tipper for soil, sand and spoil cartage.
Tipper Truck HireRelated Hire & Services
Excavation & Earthworks Perth: Site Cuts & Pads
Excavation and earthworks across Perth - site cuts, house pads and bulk earthmoving. Komatsu excavators with trained operators. Get a fast quote.
Excavation & Earthworks Perth
Mini Excavator Hire Perth: 1.8t Tight Access
Mini excavator hire Perth - Komatsu PC18 1.8t for tight backyards and side access. Rock breaker available. Wet or dry hire, call us now.
Mini Excavator Hire Perth
Soakwells Perth: Supply & Install
Soakwell supply and install across Perth. We excavate, size to your block and council requirements. Call us for a fast soakwell quote.
Soakwells PerthTrenching & Drainage Perth Questions
Trenching with a Komatsu excavator and operator (wet hire) starts from around $1,500 per day for the PC18 mini. Longer or deeper runs needing the PC55 start from $1,700 per day. Hard limestone ground adds time and cost. Call us for a job-specific quote.
We carry 300mm, 600mm and 900mm GP buckets. We match the bucket width to your pipe or conduit specification. Wider trenches are achieved by making multiple passes.
Yes. Our hydraulic rock breaker attachment breaks limestone before the GP bucket clears it. Limestone trenching is slower and priced at a higher rate than sandy ground. Tell us your site conditions when you call.
Yes. We can backfill and compact the trench after your plumber, electrician or civil contractor has laid the service. We can also cart excess spoil using the 8t tipper if the trench produces more material than can be absorbed.
A 20-30m stormwater trench in sandy Perth soil often takes half a day to a full day with the PC18 or PC55, including setup and backfill. Limestone ground, deeper trenches or longer runs take longer. We give you a realistic time estimate when we quote.
Need Trenching & Drainage In Perth?
We prefer calls, get straight through to the team. Reliable machines. Experienced operators. Jobs done right.