Trenching & Drainage Perth
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.
Not Sure Which Machine The Job Needs? Ask Us.
Call Us NowTrenching 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 Rest Of The Fleet
Most jobs need more than one machine. Everything below comes off the same yard, so it can turn up on the same day and go on the same invoice.
Excavator Hire
Komatsu 1.7t to 15t · PC18 · PC55 · PC138
Komatsu diggers from 1.7t to 15t, including the PC18, PC55 and PC138.
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 · S590 · tracked or wheeled · 4-in-1 buckets
Bobcat T450, T590 and S590 skid steers with 4-in-1 buckets for levelling and clean-up.
Bobcat Hire
Skid Steer Hire
1.7t to 4.2t · tracked or wheeled · 4-in-1 bucket
Tracked and wheeled skid steer loaders 1.7t to 4.2t, matched to your ground.
Skid Steer Hire
Forklift Hire
2.5t to 5t · hardstand or rough terrain
Counterbalance forklifts 2.5t to 5t for yards, warehouses and building sites.
Forklift Hire
Scissor & Boom Lifts
6.3m to 9.8m working height · scissor · boom
Scissor lifts and boom lifts 6.3m to 9.8m working height, indoor or rough terrain.
Scissor & Boom Lifts
Telehandler Hire
2.6t to 5t · forks, bucket or jib · rough terrain
Telescopic handlers 2.6t to 5t that reach up and over, not just straight up.
Telehandler Hire
Generator Hire
Single or three phase · silenced units available
Diesel site and standby power, sized on your real load, delivered and fuelled.
Generator Hire
Air Compressor Hire
Towable diesel · sized on cfm not just psi
Towable diesel compressors for jackhammers, rock drills and air tools.
Air Compressor Hire
Lighting Tower Hire
Masts to 12m · diesel or hybrid
Towable diesel and hybrid lighting towers, masts to 12m, for night works.
Lighting Tower Hire
Tipper Truck Hire
2.5t to 10t · 8t Isuzu FVR workhorse
Tippers 2.5t to 10t for soil, sand and spoil cartage, the 8t Isuzu on most jobs.
Tipper Truck HireJobs We Have Done With Trenching & Drainage
Finished work off our own machines, written up with the ground conditions, the method and what came off site.
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Mini excavator hire Perth - Komatsu PC18 1.8t for tight backyards and side access. Rock breaker available. Wet or dry hire, call us now.
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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 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.