Commercial Excavation, Concrete Footings & Sidewalk Construction
REMAX Office Entrance Excavation & Remodel in Whitefish, MT
Glacier Ridge Excavation completed the excavation and concrete foundation work for a commercial entrance remodel at the REMAX office on East Sixth Street in Whitefish, Montana. Working within a confined space around an existing building, our team installed reinforced footings, structural concrete piers, and a new sidewalk while managing underground utilities, limited access, and freezing weather conditions.
Project Details
Location: Whitefish, Montana
Project Type: Commercial Renovation
Services: Commercial Excavation, Concrete Footings, Structural Piers, Sidewalk Construction, Backfilling
Completed: March 2025
General Contractor: Harris and Sons Construction
Project Partners: Montana Creative Architecture + Design, DCI Engineers
GRE Crew Lead: Steve Dodson
Preparing a New Commercial Entrance in Whitefish
When the REMAX office on East Sixth Street began remodeling its entrance, Glacier Ridge Excavation was brought in by Harris and Sons Construction to complete the excavation and concrete work supporting the new design.
The renovation included replacing the existing entrance with a new entry deck, a covered gabled roof supported by timber columns, and a concrete sidewalk connecting the entrance to the parking area.
Our responsibilities focused on the structural work beneath and around these improvements. This included excavating for the entry foundation and column footings, forming and pouring reinforced concrete pads and piers, preparing the sidewalk base, and completing the surrounding backfill.
With the work taking place directly in front of an existing commercial building, careful coordination and site management were essential throughout the project.
Working Within a Confined Commercial Property
Overcoming Tight Access and Winter Construction Challenges
One of the primary challenges was the limited space available for excavation and material handling. The new entrance was positioned between the existing building, the front setback line, and the paved parking area.
This left little room to stage materials or maneuver larger equipment without affecting the surrounding property.
To keep the work organized and minimize disruption to the business, our crew transported materials in smaller quantities and carefully managed the movement of excavation equipment within the available space.
Frozen excavated materials were also removed from the property in smaller loads, allowing work to continue without creating unnecessary congestion around the entrance.
Protecting Existing Underground Utilities
Existing utilities running through the excavation area required additional precautions. Working near these lines meant our crew needed to balance excavation efficiency with careful material removal.
A ground laborer assisted with hand excavation around the utilities and served as a spotter while the excavator handled larger volumes of material.
This approach helped the team navigate restricted working conditions while protecting existing infrastructure and maintaining control of the excavation process.
Managing Cold Weather During Concrete Installation
Cold temperatures and snowfall arrived early in the project, creating additional concerns for foundation preparation and concrete placement.
To address freezing conditions, Glacier Ridge Excavation used a Thawzall ground heater and insulated blankets to protect the newly constructed concrete piers and sidewalk.
These measures helped maintain suitable conditions for the concrete work while allowing the entrance renovation to progress through winter weather.
Project by the Numbers
3' × 3' × 10"
Reinforced concrete pad footings installed below frost depth
18" × 24"
Cast-in-place concrete piers supporting the new entry roof
4,000 PSI
Specified concrete strength, with Grade 60 reinforcing steel
40 Hours
Estimated excavation and backfill labor
Delivering a Strong Foundation and Finished Commercial Walkway
Glacier Ridge Excavation completed the structural concrete and site preparation work required for the REMAX office entrance remodel.
The new foundation included reinforced concrete pad footings measuring 3 feet by 3 feet by 10 inches, installed below frost depth, along with 18-inch by 24-inch cast-in-place concrete piers designed to support the entry roof columns.
Both components were constructed using 4,000 PSI concrete and Grade 60 reinforcing steel in accordance with the structural drawings.
For the new sidewalk, our crew installed and compacted a 3/4-inch-minus gravel base before placing the concrete. Once the work was complete, we backfilled around the finished structures, removed excess excavated materials, and patched the asphalt adjacent to the new sidewalk and excavation areas.
The project was completed in March 2025, and our portion of the work was handed back to Harris and Sons Construction with a clean site and the structural concrete components ready for the remaining entrance improvements.
Planning a Commercial Excavation or Concrete Project in Montana?
From commercial foundation excavation and reinforced concrete footings to sidewalk construction and site improvements, Glacier Ridge Excavation provides dependable excavation and concrete services throughout Whitefish and the surrounding Flathead Valley.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing commercial property or preparing for new construction, our team can help you navigate challenging site conditions and complete the groundwork your project requires.