Site work for an expressway-era hamlet that straddles two towns.
Excavation, Grading & Demolition Services in Holbrook
Holbrook stayed quiet for a long time. Alexander McCotter bought about 5,000 acres in 1848 and sold off small parcels, and as late as 1931 the population was just 321. The change came when the Long Island Expressway reached Holbrook in 1969. Model homes went up along the service roads, and the population climbed from about 2,500 in 1965 to 15,000 by 1975. Much of the housing stock therefore dates to the late 1960s and 1970s, homes that have reached the age for additions, new patios and walks, and removal of tired sheds and decks. Each of those projects starts with excavation or demolition, followed by grading that sends water the right way.
Holbrook sits around 118 feet above sea level, a bit higher than Bohemia or Central Islip, and roads draw most of its edges: Sunrise Highway on the south, Portion Road on the north and Nicolls Road along part of the east. The Long Island Rail Road splits the hamlet between two towns, with Islip to the south and Brookhaven north of the tracks. Streets that were once oil-topped sand, gravel or blue stone were paved as the hamlet grew. Businesses along Veterans Memorial Highway and the expressway service roads rely on commercial snow removal and lot regrading, while homeowners call for drainage fixes, lot clearing and tree removal.
Planning site work in Holbrook? Call for an estimate.
Places Around Holbrook
St. John's Lutheran Church, built in 1863, still stands south of the railroad crossing on Coates Avenue and is the oldest surviving building from Holbrook's early years. The old station stood nearby at Coates and Railroad Avenues until it closed in 1962. Sachem Public Library has been on Holbrook Road since 1966, and Holbrook Country Club, an 18-hole Town of Islip course on Patchogue-Holbrook Road, fills a wooded stretch of the hamlet. Long Island MacArthur Airport lies to the west.
A library, a town golf course and railroad-era history mark Holbrook on both sides of the tracks.
- Sachem Public LibraryThe school district library that opened its Holbrook Road building in 1966 after starting in Lake Ronkonkoma.
- Holbrook Country ClubA tree-lined, 18-hole Town of Islip course at 700 Patchogue-Holbrook Road.
- A History of HolbrookThe Holbrook Chamber of Commerce's account of the hamlet, from the Nicoll patent to the expressway boom.
- Long Island MacArthur AirportThe Town of Islip airport on Holbrook's western border, opened as Islip Airport during World War II.
- Former Holbrook StationThe LIRR stop that began inside a cigar factory in 1875 and closed for good in 1962.
Map of Holbrook
Holbrook Excavation & Demolition FAQs
Is my Holbrook property in Islip or Brookhaven, and why does it matter?
Holbrook is split by the railroad: the section between Portion Road and the tracks is in the Town of Brookhaven, and the rest is in the Town of Islip. Your tax bill will confirm which applies. Check with that town's building department before demolition, an addition or major grading, and call New York 811 before any digging so utilities are marked.
Can you excavate for an addition on a 1970s Holbrook home?
Yes. Foundations, footings and utility trenches for additions are a large part of our residential work. Holbrook's expressway-era homes often have patios, walks and landscaping that need to be worked around or removed first. We plan equipment access and soil staging up front, then backfill and grade so water drains away from the new and existing foundation.
Do you provide commercial snow removal along Veterans Memorial Highway?
We do. Commercial snow removal for parking lots and access drives is one of our services, and businesses along Veterans Memorial Highway and the expressway service roads need lots cleared quickly after storms. Setting up service before winter helps with routing and timing. Call (631) 337-8050 to discuss your property.
What helps a Holbrook backyard that stays wet after rain?
Standing water usually means the grade is sending runoff toward a low spot, or roof and driveway water has nowhere to go. We look at how water moves across the yard, then recommend regrading, a swale, underground drainage pipe or a combination to carry it away from the house and toward ground that absorbs it better.
Can you remove trees and clear a wooded corner of my Holbrook lot?
Yes. Tree and shrub removal and land clearing are regular work for us, whether you want more usable yard, room for a shed or pool, or a cleaner site before construction. After clearing, we grade the area and can finish it with sod or seed. Modern equipment helps us work efficiently while protecting the rest of the property.
Nearby Areas We Serve
Call Superior Earthworks for Holbrook excavation, grading and demolition.