Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers about our services, permits, service areas, and how we work.

About Spring Creek Builds

Who is Spring Creek Builds?

We are an eastern Idaho excavation and septic company. We install and replace septic systems and do excavation for new homes, including foundation site prep, utility trenching, grading and driveways, land clearing, and demolition of small structures. Read more about us.

Who is the owner?

Justin Morgan owns Spring Creek Builds. He has run excavators since he was a teenager, spent about 15 years in the field with the Operating Engineers, and has been excavating new home sites and home utilities for the last five years.

What kinds of customers do you work with?

We work with general contractors and developers on new construction, and with homeowners on their own projects.

Do you offer emergency service?

No. We do not offer emergency service. We focus on planned projects.

Service Areas

What areas do you serve?

We serve five eastern Idaho counties and the communities within them: Teton County (Driggs, Victor, Tetonia); Madison County (Rexburg, Sugar City); Jefferson County (Rigby, Menan, Lewisville, Roberts); Bonneville County (Idaho Falls, Ammon, Iona, Ucon); Bingham County (Blackfoot, Shelley, Firth). See our service area map for all locations.

Do you work in Teton County?

Yes. See our Teton County page, or our pages for Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia.

Do you work in Madison and Jefferson Counties?

Yes. We serve Madison County (including Rexburg) and Jefferson County (including Rigby).

Do you work in Bonneville and Bingham Counties?

Yes. We serve Bonneville County (including Idaho Falls) and Bingham County (including Blackfoot).

My property is not in one of those counties. Can you still help?

Our service area is the five counties above. If your project is outside them, or you are unsure, call (208) 924-2813 or use our contact form and tell us about it.

Septic Services

What septic services do you offer?

We install new septic systems, replace failed systems, and take on larger repairs. See septic system installation, septic system replacement, and septic repair.

What does a new septic installation involve?

We dig test holes where the system could go, the local public health district evaluates the site and decides what kind of system is needed, the system is permitted, and then we install it. The septic system usually goes in near the end of a home build, once the plumber has the drain lines ready.

Why do you dig test holes first?

Test holes show the water elevation and the ground conditions, which the health district uses to decide what type of septic system the property needs.

Do you offer septic pumping?

No. Pumping is not a service we offer.

Do you take small septic repairs?

Our septic work focuses on larger projects. If your problem is a small one, tell us about it and we will be honest about whether we are a good fit.

What if my property can connect to city sewer?

Then you may not need a septic system. On those properties, we connect the home to the city sewer line.

Excavation Services

What excavation work do you do?

We excavate for new homes: foundations, underground utilities, backfill, and driveways. We also do grading, land clearing, demolition of small homes, barns, and sheds, and excavation for retaining walls. See our new construction excavation, foundation site prep, grading & driveways, utility trenching, land clearing, small structure demolition, retaining wall excavation.

What utilities do you install?

We excavate and install power, fiber optic, water, and sewer lines. See utility trenching.

Do you build driveways?

Yes. If the homeowner wants one, we build the driveway as part of the site work. See grading & driveways.

Do you build retaining walls?

We do the excavation for retaining walls, and we have built a few ourselves. See retaining wall excavation.

Do you coordinate with other trades?

Yes. On a new home we work alongside the surveyor, the concrete crew, the plumber, and the well driller, or connect to city water, and we stay in touch with the owner and builder as plans change.

Permits and Process

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Spring Creek Builds is licensed as a septic installer and general contractor, and is insured.

Who gets the building permit?

The homeowner or the general contractor is responsible for the building permit. The design needs to be signed off by the city or county. If you are working with a GC, the GC usually handles it.

What if I do not have a permit or a design yet?

You can still talk to us. We will talk through where you are in the process, although the building permit itself can take a few weeks.

Who permits a septic system?

Septic systems are evaluated and permitted through the local public health district. Eastern Idaho Public Health covers Teton, Madison, Jefferson, and Bonneville Counties, and Southeastern Idaho Public Health covers Bingham County.

What does a new home excavation look like from start to finish?

We can start with a site walk, then the permits and the survey, then foundation excavation. After the concrete crew pours the foundation, we put in the underground utilities and backfill, bring in power, connect water and sewer or install the septic system, and build the driveway if you want one.

Do I need to call 811 before digging?

Yes. Idaho law asks excavators to call 811 at least two business days before digging so underground utilities are marked. Do not dig on your own without doing that.

Working with Us

How do I get a quote?

Call (208) 924-2813 or use our contact form. We will talk through your project.

Do you work with general contractors and developers?

Yes. New construction excavation for builders is a big part of our work. See new construction excavation.

Do you work for homeowners?

Yes. We take on excavation and septic projects for homeowners too.

Still Have Questions?

Reach out to Spring Creek Builds and talk to us directly.