With nearly 40 years of experience, Caldow Builders provides clean, safe, and non-destructive Hydro excavation services across Otaki and the greater Kāpiti Coast. Our expert team delivers precise digging that protects underground services, reduces mess, and supports both urban and rural projects.
At Caldow Builders, we deliver reliable Hydrovac services across Ōtaki, a coastal town in the Kāpiti Coast District with a population of around 6,500 (2018 census). Located at 40.7602° S, 175.1490° E, Ōtaki is known for its mix of farmland, new subdivisions, and beachfront homes stretching from the river to the coast.
With underground utilities running through rural blocks, residential builds, and roadside berms, traditional digging in Ōtaki can put key services at risk. Power lines, water pipes, and fibre cables are often laid close to tree roots or property boundaries — where accuracy and caution are essential.
Whether you’re upgrading a rural driveway along Rahui Road, trenching for services in a new subdivision off Mill Road, or exposing stormwater lines near the Ōtaki River, our Hydrovac crew is ready to help. We use pressurised water and suction to remove soil safely, keeping your site clean and underground assets protected.
Built on local experience and done with care, our Hydrovac work helps Ōtaki projects stay safe, on time, and done right.
Get driving directions from Otaki to our office.
Otaki’s mix of coastal soils, farmland, and urban growth creates unique excavation challenges. Traditional digging can easily overreach or disturb surrounding areas. Our Hydrovac systems are designed to work safely across different site conditions — including soft ground, narrow drives, and sandy terrain near the Otaki River.
We operate close to Otaki and can quickly respond to local projects. Whether you’re working along Mill Road, SH1, or in new subdivisions inland, our team is ready to get on-site fast. We service private builds, civil upgrades, and council infrastructure with equal reliability.
Otaki has ageing water systems, telecom lines, and mixed utility depths. Hitting any of these with a machine can cause major disruptions. Hydrovac safely exposes buried services without damage,
using pressurised water and suction to reveal what’s hidden beneath — the right way to dig around assets.
We’re not a national franchise — we’re a hands-on, family-owned team that works directly with our clients. From first quote to job sign-off, we’re on the ground making sure everything goes to plan. That’s why Otaki locals trust us to dig it once,
dig it right.
Ōtaki has ageing underground infrastructure, especially around older homes near Main Street and in areas closer to the coast. Service records are often incomplete, and damaging water pipes, phone lines, or power cables can quickly halt a project. Hydrovac safely exposes underground services using water and suction — with no direct contact — making it ideal for trenching, utility checks, and service installations in both residential zones and rural blocks.
From tidy urban gardens in Ōtaki Beach to well-kept driveways off Mill Road, preserving surrounding surfaces is often just as important as getting the job done. Traditional digging creates unnecessary mess and ground disturbance that can increase restoration time and cost. Hydrovac removes only what’s needed, leaving clean-cut holes and minimal surface disruption — ideal for jobs near landscaped areas, fences, and footpaths.
Many Ōtaki properties — especially lifestyle blocks and coastal homes — have tight gates, soft lawns, or uneven terrain that make it hard for heavy equipment to access the site. Our Hydrovac units use long-reach hoses and compact gear to dig safely without driving large machines across delicate ground. Whether you’re working at the back of a rural section or in a tight beachfront driveway, we can reach the site without damage.
Kāpiti Coast District Council requires strict compliance when working near drains, berms, roads, and waterways like the Ōtaki River. Hydrovac helps you meet those rules by reducing surface disturbance, controlling runoff, and keeping spoil contained. We support council projects, utility upgrades, and private works while meeting all safety, environmental, and access regulations across the region.
If your project calls for safe, precise, and council-compliant excavation, contact Caldow Builders today for expert Hydrovac services across Otaki and the wider Kāpiti Coast.
If you are working on public land in Otaki, like a roadside, drain, or council reserve, you may need a permit from the Kāpiti Coast District Council. This applies to work near stormwater systems, footpaths, or public utilities. For private or rural properties, a permit is usually not required. Our team checks each site before starting and will let you know if council approval is needed. We can also help you apply for the permit if required. This keeps your job compliant and avoids delays.
We regularly service Otaki and can usually schedule your job within 24 to 48 hours. If you have an urgent job, same-day support may be possible depending on truck availability. Our team works across the Kāpiti Coast and nearby areas every week. We aim to keep wait times short and respond quickly to bookings. Once confirmed, we will give you an exact time for our arrival. You won’t need to wait on equipment from out of town.
Hydrovac jobs in Otaki generally cost between $250 and $300 per hour. The total cost depends on the type of work, site access, and whether spoil removal is needed. For small jobs like service locating, we may offer a fixed quote. Larger trenching jobs are usually priced by the hour or per metre. All pricing is explained before work begins. There are no hidden charges.
Our crew arrives with a Hydrovac truck and checks the job site first. We use high-pressure water to loosen the soil, then vacuum it up safely into the truck. This allows us to dig without damaging cables or pipes. Jobs in Otaki are often near roads, farms, or homes, so we work carefully and keep the site clean. Most jobs take a few hours to complete. We clean up after and leave the site ready for the next stage of your project.
Most Hydrovac jobs in Otaki take between two and six hours. Simple tasks like exposing a pipe or cable may be done in one morning. Larger trenching jobs can take a full day or more. The length depends on soil type, access, and the scope of the work. We inspect the site before starting and give you a clear estimate of time. Our crew works efficiently to finish the job as quickly as possible.
Need help with a safe and precise excavation job? Contact our friendly Otaki team today. Call, email, or submit the quick form — we’ll get back to you fast with a quote or expert advice tailored to your site and project needs.
Caldow Builders is a family-owned construction and contracting company based in Foxton. We’ve been working across the North Island for over 40 years, handling everything from commercial construction and civil projects to rural builds, hydrovac work, and heavy transport.
