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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon74
    Verified excavation services reviews

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Avatar for Sino-American General Contracting
Sino-American General Contracting
4.8(
187
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We worked with Mason and his team at Sino-American to remove our existing chain link fence and broken iron gate and replace with a new wooden fence and custom built gate for our DC rowhouse. We coordinated with our next door neighbor who was getting the same work done and had worked with Mason before and they built both our fences and gates in teh same day. Mason was very professional and communicative throughout the entire process and produced top notch work that we are very happy with. Our project was unique and complicated given several obstacles including our existing ground level deck, our neighbor's property sitting a few feet higher than ours and a huge tree on the property line that posed some design challenges. Ultimately, Mason and his team came up with a great design that accomplished all of our objectives and looks great. We would recommend Sino-American to our friends and are already discussing future projects with them."
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+3

Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for First Lady Home  Trash Removal
First Lady Home Trash Removal
4.3(
396
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Very easy to communicate with, professional and responsive. Slight miscommunication when she arrived and saw construction debris, she initially said the listing did not include construction debris because of the weight (it costs more at the dump). We checked the deal listing and it specifically says it does include construction debris, but looking at reviews it seems like this has come up occasionally, and it may be a listing error that needs to be fixed. Ultimately she took what we had as it was a smaller amount. Quickly loaded all items, secured them well and left a clean workspace.
"
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Recommended by84%of homeowners
Avatar for MJ Home Services LLC
MJ Home Services LLC
4.0(
361
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It went extremely well! They were punctual, hardworking and professional. It was necessary to dig up my neighbor's landscaping, so they were very careful to disturb only what was necessary and to restore everything to its original condition. They even replaced her broken underground downspout extension (which was draining into my basement!) without comment or additional charge. When my neighbor accused them of causing a problem, MJ was quick to respond and the team on-site made a point of apologizing to her in person. I don't think MJ caused the problem, so I was very impressed that they "went high" to investigate the matter and, as I said, apologize for the inconvenience she felt she suffered. The work they did inside to remove mold and seal the wall was thorough and neat. The gentleman doing the work cleaned up everything and took all of his equipment and trash with him. his is especially important since he was working with strong chemicals. My contact in the office was prompt to address anything I threw her way. It was easy to make payments online. Best of all - no sign of water in the basement since they were here!!"
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+9

Recommended by75%of homeowners
Avatar for Tillerman Gardens LLC
Tillerman Gardens LLC
4.2(
79
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 1983

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Jesse and his team at Tillerman built a beautiful wood retaining wall along the back of my property, a fence around two-thirds of the yard, and two gates. Jesse was very responsive, punctual, and professional. The workmanship is great - prior to getting the wall, we were losing a quarter inch of yard every time it rained, but the retaining wall has stopped the erosion. The fence was raised a few weeks after the wall was installed, and the team completed the work in a day. After the fence was raised, we ran into some problems caused by the erosion that occurred prior to the retaining wall being installed, but Jesse promptly returned to deal with it. The fence looks beautiful. We would highly recommend Tillerman."
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+13

Recommended by96%of homeowners
Avatar for General Remodeling Group
General Remodeling Group
4.3(
83
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 2002

Free estimates

"We were very happy with General Remodeling Group's quality of work, pricing, and communication. From the start, Vidas (the general contractor who led our basement remodel and stairs replacement) was communicative and very transparent about what would work best, look best, and the timeline for the project. We have a child too, and he was willing to work around our schedule so that it never felt like we were going through a huge remodel (even though we were). All the guys on his team were great and very professional. They cleaned the work site every day, and kept everything tidy. They were conscious to keep drywall dust out of the rest of the house, and keep the work-site safe and accessible too. We were able to see the progress everyday! Vidas and his team really were a "one-stop shop". They completed all the plans for the remodel, took out all the necessary permits, and scheduled follow up on all the inspections/permit close outs. They gave us a schedule as to when things would be completed, and a pay schedule accompanied that. They were also very transparent with that pay schedule, saying what was included, and what was not. There were times when we opted for an improvement or item that was not in our contract, and we, of course, paid extra for it. But there were also times when their team did not spend the full allowance on a certain item or improvement, and they gave us credit back (this was refreshing, as I imagine not many other contractors would be so clear about their pricing)! Not only was the pricing and communication great, the final result was too. They had VERY SKILLED professionals for each job - carpentry, framing, drywall, plumbing, electrical, hardwood flooring - each task had an expert. They shared their thoughts, and often gave us options we didn't know we had in our remodel. They always shared what they would do, before they did it, especially if it wasn't in the original plans. The quality of work was excellent. We are very satisfied with our new basement and stairs, highly recommend General Remodeling Group, and will certainly use them again!"
Sunroom addition
Garage addition
Dormer addition
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+28

Recommended by71%of homeowners
Avatar for Sam & Sons Services
Sam & Sons Services
4.0(
144
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We used/tried to use Sam and Sons a few times and their service went from excellent down hill each time. We had a great electrician do a number of install/repairs in the Spring of 2009. It was a bit pricey but professional and well done. Around Thanksgiving 2009, we requested a plumber who did good work and was scheduled and arrived promplty but was quite expensive. We also requested a estimate for additional carpentry/door repairs but never got the quote. We even called twice to follow up on the request and were promised a call back first within a few days then in few hours but never heard from them."
Look for one of our many trucks out and about in your area!
Chandeliers, wall lights, canned lightins, we do it all!
Ceiling fan installation
Tranform yoour Bathroom!
Faucet and shower head repair and installation!

+4

Recommended by78%of homeowners
Avatar for Ace Lawn & Landscaping
Ace Lawn & Landscaping
4.4(
60
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Washington, DC and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I contacted them via phone and left a message describing the job I wanted done . They phoned me a couple of days later and asked about the size of the tree and the location so they would know
what tools were needed. They said that sometimes they need to use the truck to pull the roots up. I gave them a description of the tree and its location and they quoted me a price of $210 over the phone. I sent them a picture via my iphone of the tree and the road in front of my house. They reviewed the picture and said they could do the job. I really appreciated discussing the job with them on the phone as another company I called did not.They said they could do it the next day in the late morning and I told them to come on out! They arrived at my house around 10 am and they were able to make quick work of the job. They  first cut the tree down with a chain saw and then dug the roots out with a pick axe and did not have to use the truck.They didn't damage any of the surrounding plants in my flower  bed. They also dumped some topsoil I had bought into the hole left by the roots. They took all debris with them and cleaned up my sidewalk afterward. They were very friendly and efficient. They did a great job!
 
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Recommended by86%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

There are several methods to hollow out a tree stump, and the best one depends on your tools, experience, and priorities. Common methods include using a chisel and hammer, a chainsaw, or burning.

  • Chisel and Hammer: This is often considered the easiest approach for those with limited tools or experience, though it is the most time-consuming.

  • Chainsaw: Using a chainsaw is the fastest method, but it comes with significant safety risks, especially for inexperienced users.

  • Burning: This can be an effective method, but it is not recommended unless you can first drill holes into the stump. Without holes, the stump will be difficult to light and may not burn completely through.

A power drill with at least a ⅜-inch diameter bit can make the job quicker and easier, regardless of the primary method. While you can use a chisel or chainsaw without a drill, it will require more time and effort. Always wear protective goggles and thick gloves, as splinters are an inevitable risk.

No, a ditch isn’t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that’s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that’s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don’t get filled back in with dirt after they’re dug.

Hard soil could be a sign of overly dry dirt, either from poor drainage or drought. It's important to test the nutrient levels, density, and drainage capacity of your soil to see if it's absorbing water properly. Begin by adding a light layer of water and observing how long the soil retains moisture. If you experience a good deal of runoff, you may need to aerate your lawn, apply a wetting agent, or hire a professional for a closer look.

Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep, with a common average depth between 18 and 30 inches. The exact depth depends on local factors like climate and soil type. In colder regions, pipes must be buried deeper (below the frost line) to prevent freezing, sometimes as deep as 8 feet. The digging depth can also impact the cost of sewer line replacement. To find the specific depth for your property, you can check the building plans for your system, which should be on file with your city or local sanitation department since permits are required for installation.

Downspouts should be buried at least 5 to 10 feet away from your foundation. This can vary depending on your local building codes, soil type, and property slope. The main goal is to ensure water is directed away from your foundation.

The Washington, DC homeowners’ guide to excavation services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.