Where Central Vermont Is Growing in 2025: Town-by-Town Project Ideas (and the Right Bobcat)

 

Central Vermont is Adding People and Projects

Vermont’s 2024 population estimate is 648,493, with 59,844 in Washington County and 30,050 in Orange County—small numbers, but meaningful for local building and site work.

Homebuilding continues to inch forward: U.S. Census QuickFacts lists 203 residential building permits in Washington County in 2024, a useful signal for demand in site prep, drainage, and driveway work.

Montpelier is also investing in flood resilience: the city plans to remove the Pioneer Street Dam and restore an 18-acre floodplain, part of a broader recovery effort following 2023 flooding. Residents can find ongoing updates on the city’s flood recovery resources.

Below are micro-project ideas across towns in Central Vermont.

Montpelier & Berlin

  • Regrade gravel driveways; add ditch lines to handle cloudbursts.
  • French drains/swales to move roof and yard water away from foundations.
  • Good fit: T66 for driveway shaping; E40 for trenching.

Barre City/Barre Town

  • Yard reshaping after storm washouts; culvert inlet/outlet clean‑outs.
  • Small concrete pad prep for sheds and compressors.
    Good fit: E40 for precise digging; T66 for base & compaction moves.
  • Good fit: E40 for precise digging; T66 for base & compaction moves.

Waterbury & Mad River Valley (Waitsfield/Moretown)

  • Hillside access paths; material shuttling for patios/gardens.
  • Drainage swales above driveways to intercept runoff.
  • Good fit: MT100 for tight backyards; T66 with forks/bucket.

Northfield & Randolph

  • Trench new conduit/water lines on remodels; stump/root cleanup.
  • Re‑crown long camp roads before freeze‑thaw.
  • Good fit: E40 trenching; T66 for long runs.

Bradford & Orange/Chelsea/Topsham Corridor

  • Shed pads and container pads; culvert shoulder repairs on camp roads.
  • Material moves (stone, base, timbers) over soft ground.
  • Good fit: T66 for grading; MT100 where access is tight.

What to Rent:

  • Bobcat E40 mini excavator: trenching, drains, culverts, footing cuts.
  • Bobcat T66 track loader: driveway regrading, stone delivery/spread, pallet forks for pavers.
  • Bobcat MT100 mini track loader: narrow gates, turf‑friendly material shuttling.

Local digging note: In Vermont you must contact Dig Safe (811) at least 72 hours in advance (not including weekends/holidays) before excavation.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to dig a simple drainage trench on my property?

Outside waterways and septic areas, small landscape grading often doesn’t require a building permit, but you must call 811 first and verify local rules. For work near streams or in floodplains, review Vermont’s Flood Hazard Area & River Corridor rules and your town zoning. For septic or potable water work, see the state’s Wastewater System & Potable Water Supply permit guidance.

Can you deliver to my town?

Yes — Barre, Montpelier, Berlin, Northfield, Waterbury, Waitsfield/Moretown, Randolph, Bradford, Chelsea, Topsham and beyond. Same‑day is often possible, subject to availability.

Do you offer contractor pricing?

Yes! We offer 15% off rentals for contractors.

Get Started

Book your E40, T66 or MT100 online today. We deliver!