ABOUT

Dirt & Diesel Excavation is a family-owned excavation and land development contractor based in Northern Nevada, serving Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Incline Village, and the surrounding communities. Founded and operated by husband-and-wife team Cooper and Moriah, we bring over ten years of experience and a hands-on, relationship-driven approach to every project. We are licensed, insured, and bonded in the state of Nevada, License #0092854.

Owners Cooper and Moriah with their daughter by a lake
Moriah holding up a mountain bike with Cooper in the front on a Northern Nevada ridge
Group of three people taking a selfie outdoors in a snowy landscape, with snow-covered mountains and trees in the background. One person is wearing a black helmet and ski goggles, another a turquoise helmet and sunglasses, and the third is wearing a navy beanie and glasses.
Cooper riding a dirt bike in mid-air during a jump on a mountain trail surrounded by trees and scenic Northern Nevada mountains in the background.

Our Story

Dirt & Diesel Excavation was founded by husband-and-wife team Cooper and Moriah. Cooper comes from a deep-rooted construction background. His great-grandfather ran a successful home-building business, and his father specialized in custom homes and woodworking. Cooper has spent years operating heavy equipment on commercial and residential projects of all sizes, and he managed the U.S. Forest Service road crew in Nevada.

Moriah holds degrees in both business and nursing. While working part-time in the emergency department in Incline Village, she brings the same compassion and attention to detail to managing our projects and communicating with our clients.

Together, Cooper and Moriah are not just a team in business, but in life. As parents to a one-year-old daughter, they’re motivated by the desire to build a safe, reliable future for families in their community. They understand the importance of creating strong foundations—whether in construction or in life.

At our excavation company, we’re committed to providing exceptional service with a focus on trust, quality, and community.

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Mountain bikers riding a narrow cliffside trail above Lake Tahoe

What Makes Dirt & Diesel Different

Built for Northern Nevada

We specialize in projects that require planning, adaptability, and practical problem solving.

Our work often takes us into: Mountain terrain, Steep slopes, Forest roads, Logging roads, Ranch properties, Recreation properties, Remote acreage, Open space systems, Trail network, Difficult-access environments.

We understand how drainage, erosion, terrain, weather, and access challenges affect long-term property performance. Rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, we develop practical approaches tailored to each property's unique conditions. When access is difficult, terrain is challenging, or a project requires creative problem solving, we're often the contractor clients call first.

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Family-Owned & Operated

We're a local business built on relationships, trust, and accountability.

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Northern Nevada Specialists

We understand the terrain, climate, soils, and access challenges unique to this region.

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Hands-On Project Management

You'll work directly with experienced professionals involved in every stage of your project.

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Problem Solvers

We specialize in finding practical solutions for difficult properties and challenging conditions.

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Responsive Communication

Clear communication and dependable service are central to how we operate.

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Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Professional standards and responsible project execution on every job.

Northern Nevada Expertise

Local Knowledge Matters

Northern Nevada presents challenges that contractors from outside the region can underestimate. From decomposed granite soils and steep mountain terrain to wildfire concerns and seasonal drainage, successful projects depend on a real understanding of local conditions. We proudly serve Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Incline Village, the Truckee Meadows, and the surrounding rural communities.

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  • "My experience with Dirt and Diesel Excavation has been exceptional. Cooper is an ace with machinery and understands the nuances of both trail and road construction and maintenance. Outstanding communication, professional demeanor, competitively priced, responsible and shows up when he says he will. I highly recommend Dirt and Diesel Excavation." - — Kurt G.

  • "Cooper is a real professional and stuck to his bid, finished early, cleaned up, and had great communication. The work was outstanding and exactly what we imagined and he made it a reality. He was also honest in his estimate on not recommending what we initially wanted because it was out of our budget. Now we have a $$ goal to have him back to do that later. Highly recommend!" — Dawn K.

  • "Dirt and Diesel has been a pleasure to work with. Their expertise in trail building and excavation work is evident in the product they deliver. Cooper and his team are a pleasure to work with, great communicators, fast estimates and invoicing, and helpful in the entire process of project management." — Christina T.

  • "Cooper at Dirt & Diesel was very nice and easy to work with. Great communication, very professional and he did an excellent job at grading our backyard. He went above and beyond to help us with an additional part of our yard that was not included in his quote at no extra cost. I would definitely recommend Dirt & Diesel, LLC to any contractor & friends based on their professionalism, capabilities & going above and beyond." — Jessica S.

  • "Cooper gave us a good bid on filling (20 cubic yard of fill base) and grading a portion of our yard so we could park our truck and trailer on more level ground. He was able to get everything done in a day and did a good job. We are very happy with his work. Would definitely recommend Dirt & Diesel Excavation!" — Customer

  • "Cooper was awesome to work with. We needed an acre of dirt moved around, terraced, and prepped for future landscaping. He got it done in a day. For the work that was done, his pricing is amazing. Our entire family will be using him and his company for all future projects. Thanks Cooper! 👍🏻👍🏻" — Scott P.

  • "Cooper was a great help on a project I have been working on since I bought my property. He was extremely knowledgeable professional and experienced." — Brent H.

  • "D&D excavation did a great job giving my long dirt driveway a facelift. They are punctual, professional and fairly priced. I would call them again. ❤️" — Carl R.

  • "Cooper and Moriah were great to work with. They repaired our flood damaged driveway making it better than it was prior to the storm. I highly recommend them and will be using them again on a future project." — Richard L.

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FAQs

What types of properties do you work on?

We work on residential, rural, agricultural, recreational, municipal, and commercial properties throughout Northern Nevada.

Can you prepare raw land for construction?

Yes. We provide complete site development services including grading, drainage, utilities, septic systems, access roads, and land clearing.

Do you work on remote properties?

Yes. Remote access and difficult terrain projects are one of our specialties.

Can you provide ongoing maintenance services?

Absolutely. We offer recurring maintenance programs for roads, trails, drainage systems, vegetation management, and open space infrastructure.