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Avatar for Vertex Construction Services
Vertex Construction Services
5.0(
11
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We used Billy and his team to repair our yard after a sewer line was replaced. He was very knowledgeable in the process of what was needed to restore the property to its prior state. The work was done quickly and we have had no problems with anything he has done. Highly reccommend!"
Grading
Grading
Grading
Grading
Sidewalk backfill

+13

Response time12 hrs
Response rate100%
34 neighbors recently requested a quote
Downs Excavating LLC
5.0(
4
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Quick to reply when I reached out to request services to clean up trees that damage and he also did tree removal. Travis was quick to get me on the schedule and get the work completed. Fast and efficient and didn't break the bank! Would definitely recommend!"
Response time5 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Friend Landscaping
Friend Landscaping
4.8(
59
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"My basement got flooded couple of years ago due to heavy rains over july 4th weekend. It’s due to my home seller’s poor landscaping work. Bill worked on this project in April 2020, and fixed this grading issue around my window well. He also did a really nice landscaping work around it, installed drain tail, catch basins, grounded gutters, and adjusted grading to improve drainage, reseeded the area. Bill and his crew is very professional and they finished the project couple of days early. He kept us in the loop throughout the project, answered lot of questions and made this expensive project less stressful. I been wanting to see how his grading project is going to work during heavy rains. Finally yesterday evening we got some heavy rains in Ankeny and I could able see the project in action. My sump pump hardly ran during the rain. I didn’t see any rain water coming into my window well. Water was nicely flowed into the drain tail and towards street. I am happy and satisfied with Bill’s work. Bill and his crew is very thorough, professional and I would highly recommend them."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for Beeler Lawn & Landscape, LLC
Beeler Lawn & Landscape, LLC
5.0(
16
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I was extremely pleased with the work done on our new back patio by Beeler Lawn and Landscape. I obtained several different quotes and Richard was creative/honest/and a great communicator throughout the process. I have already requested that he return in the spring for more work on our yard/landscaping."
Paver Patio for Pool & Mulch install
Various Projects
Various Projects
Various Projects
Paver Patio

+39

Response time2 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Guild Lawn & Landscaping, LLC
Guild Lawn & Landscaping, LLC
4.9(
21
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The crew arrived, toured the job and went to work! This project involved trimming and shaping several overgrown shrubs. The work exceeded my expectations. The crew was friendly, polite, and very focused on getting the job done. I appreciated their advice on one particularly problematic shrub."
holiday light install
holiday light install
holiday lights install
Govee LED LIghts install
Govee LED lights install

+9

Response time1 day
Response rate96%
Recommended by85%of homeowners
Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"If you have any sort of handyman or landscaping job (or anything else)that needs to be done, I highly recommend contacting Prime Surface Solutions in Waukee. Jett and Emily are absolutely FANTASTIC to work with. We recently hired them to landscape a sloped area where we were battling erosion near our foundation. Not only did they listen to our concerns, they offered advice that would work best for our foundation, burning bushes, lawn, and budget. We had a contract that evening and materials delivered two days later. Jett and Emily were kind, respectful, honest people who worked meticulously with an eye for details others might ignore. I can't think of the last time I saw such hardworking people, and we will DEFINITELY hire them again for other projects. Check out their list of services--they do so much more than landscaping. They are based out of Waukee but will travel-- we live in rural Ogden. If we could give them 10 stars, we would do so! https://www.yelp.com/biz/prime-surface-sol"
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Bathtub/ Shower Projects

+45

Response time1 day
Goering Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Remodeling
3.9(
25
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1932

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"

I purchased 3 solar panels to heat my swimming pool, mounted them to the roof, and then found that the difficulties of working with all the different roof pitch angles was tough to get right, so I contacted professional plumbers to do it, figuring they would get it done properly and much quicker than I could do. 2 guys showed up at the house, verified that I had most of the materials needed (pipes, fittings, etc) and went to work. About 5 hours later they had completed cutting the pipes to fit, cut a hole in the deck, secured all the pipes to the roof and house wall, and run the pipes underneath the deck to the pool area. I had them terminate the pipes into an automatic bypass valve, where my swimming pool guy took it from there. Been a couple months and everything working like a charm, no leaks in the roof or any of the fittings, they have everything fit tight to the roof/walls so no concerns about wind trying to blow it around, etc. The solar panels actually are working better than expected and has had to turn off frequently due to the pool achieving the target temperature of 85 degrees.


"
Recommended by80%of homeowners
Showing 1-10 of 34
Excavating questions, answered by experts

It takes one hour to dig a 10-foot trench by hand. Use a trenching shovel with a sharp tip and a long head. Plan for more time if your soil is heavy or rocky. Consider renting a trencher if you’re digging a long or deep trench or if you have challenging soil or terrain. 

The rules and regulations regarding groundwater use vary between states. To find out if you can dig a well on your property, you’ll have to consult these regulations, address any compliance requirements, and get the appropriate permits. It’s also important to check that your intended location has the right geology and water table to support a well.

Errors in site preparation can lead to structural failures or appear costly midway. Professionals ensure detailed, reliable home base development layouts.

In the United States, a depth of 36 inches (three feet) for underground water lines is the accepted industry standard. This depth varies from location to location based on local conditions. In areas with colder winters, they may be buried deeper to prevent frozen well water pipes : This is usually at least six inches below the frost level. The International Plumbing Code calls for a minimum of 12 inches below grade.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

The Ames, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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