Earthworks Contractor in Christchurch, Port Hills & Banks Peninsula

Johnson Fencing & Retaining Walls carries out residential, rural and subdivision earthworks across Christchurch and Canterbury. We have over 40 years in the business and specialise in steep, tight and difficult sites. That includes the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula, where most contractors won’t go.

[Get a Free Earthworks Quote] · 027 233 6246

Licensed & Insured • SiteWise Gold • Free On-Site Quotes

Earthworks Services

• Site preparation: clearing, scraping and levelling for new builds, extensions, sheds and garages.
• Excavation & dig-outs: house pads, foundations, basements, and cut-and-fill on sloping sections.
• Retaining wall excavation: we dig and build the wall ourselves, so you deal with one contractor from start to finish.
• Drainage: trenching, soak pits, cut-off drains and stormwater fixes for wet or slipping ground.
• Driveways & access tracks: formation, metal and compaction for residential driveways and rural tracks.
• Landscape grading & contouring: finished levels ready for lawn, paving or resin surfacing.
• Land clearing: stump removal, root raking and tree shearing on lifestyle blocks and farms.
• Subdivision works: bulk earthworks, boundary works and fencing for developers across Selwyn and Christchurch.
• Post & pile driving: vibrating post drivers and auger drives for fencing, decks and pole walls.

Machines for Every Site, From Backyards to Subdivisions

Our fleet runs from a 1.7-tonne mini excavator that fits down side paths and through gates, up to 7.5 and 13.5-tonne machines for bulk dig-outs. We also run our own tipper truck. Attachments include tilt and cleaning buckets, ripper, root rake, tree shear, auger drive, demolition grab and post/pile driver. We put the right machine on your job, which keeps it faster, tidier and cheaper.

Port Hills & Banks Peninsula Earthworks Specialists

Hill sites need different thinking from flat ground. The Port Hills and Banks Peninsula have steep slopes, loess soils that lose strength when wet, rock, and narrow access roads. We regularly work in:

• Port Hills: Cashmere, Huntsbury, Mt Pleasant, Redcliffs, Sumner, Heathcote, Westmorland, Hillsborough, Halswell
• Banks Peninsula & harbour bays: Lyttelton, Governors Bay, Diamond Harbour, Teddington, Gebbies Valley, Tai Tapu, Little River, Wainui, Duvauchelle, Akaroa

We plan the cut, drainage and retaining together so the slope stays stable after we leave. Where your engineer or council needs a design, we work to it.

Areas We Cover

Christchurch city and suburbs, the Port Hills, Banks Peninsula, and Selwyn, including Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, West Melton and Darfield.

Why Choose Johnson for Earthworks

• 40+ years of Canterbury groundwork, fencing and retaining experience
• SiteWise Gold accredited, licensed and fully insured
• One team for earthworks, retaining walls, fencing and driveways
• Fixed-price quotes after a free site visit
• Experts in steep and restricted-access sites

Earthworks FAQs

How much do earthworks cost in Christchurch?
It depends on the volume of soil, access, ground conditions and how far spoil has to be carted. A small backyard level might take a day with a mini digger, while a house pad on a hill site can take a week or more. We give a fixed-price quote after a free site visit.

Do I need consent for earthworks in Christchurch?
Sometimes. Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council set limits on volume and depth, and stricter rules apply on hill sites and near waterways. We’ll tell you whether your job is likely to need consent or an engineer before work starts.

Can you get a digger into a tight or steep section?
Yes. Our 1.7-tonne excavator fits through standard gate openings, and we work steep Port Hills and Banks Peninsula sections every week.

Do you take the soil away?
Yes. We cart spoil with our own tipper truck or reuse it on site where that suits the levels.

Can you do the earthworks and the retaining wall together?
Yes, and it’s usually cheaper. Having one crew dig, build the wall and backfill avoids double handling.

How soon can you start?
Call 027 233 6246 for current availability. Small jobs can often be fitted in within a couple of weeks.

Get a Free Earthworks Quote

Tell us about your site and we’ll come out, look at the ground, and give you a clear fixed price.
027 233 6246 ·