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Avatar for Vertex Construction Services
Vertex Construction Services
5.0(
11
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Billy has done several jobs for us. He leveled our 3 season porch after it settled. He added a 40 foot deck onto that porch. He’s done some grading, excavating and rock hauling/spreading. Would highly recommend!"
Grading
Grading
Grading
Grading
Sidewalk backfill

+13

Response time12 hrs
Response rate100%
29 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Friend Landscaping
Friend Landscaping
4.8(
59
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We called Bill asking for estimate to do landscaping geared toward keeping water away from foundation. He came out the very next day and was very knowledgeable and gave honest assessment. He told us we should first consult a basement waterproofing company to see if corrective measures needed to drainage system around house. He wouldn't recommend landscaping until that issue was assessed. He clearly had our best interests in mind rather than selling us services that may not solve the problem. Will definitely recontact Bill in future once we have assessment of foundation drainage. He was prompt, knowledgeable--and honest"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Prime Solutions did a great job resurfacing our fiberglass shower. It had a few cracks that needed repaired and we went with a new color. They were on time to the job, fairly priced and worked hard until the job was done. Will definitely hire them again should we need any further work done!!"
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Bathtub/ Shower Projects

+45

Response time1 day
Avatar for Goldsmith Industries LLC
Goldsmith Industries LLC
5.0(
2
)

Serving Ames, IA and surrounding areas

"Justin is so easy to work with and instantly makes you feel at ease. I'm a nervous person so having someone like Justin help me was great. The project we wanted to do wasn't able to be completed due to city codes but i will definately keep Goldsmith Industries in mind for any upcoming projects."
Goering Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Remodeling
3.9(
25
)

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
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

A mini excavator can dig between 5 and 11 feet deep, depending on the type and size of the mini excavator. Mini hydraulic excavators are more powerful and can reach deeper into the earth, but electric models have a more limited range. Mini excavators over two tons in size are also more powerful and able to dig as deep as 11 feet.

If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between $40,000 and $90,000 on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.

If you have a broken sprinkler pipe underground, there will be some signs you can easily spot to locate it and take action. These include leaks, water spouts, flooding, consistently damp areas on your lawn, low water pressure, and grass around the sprinkler head that’s taller and darker than anywhere else in the yard. 

If there are no obvious signs of a broken pipe, you can use tools such as water leak mics, leak noise loggers, audio devices that record leaks, and acoustic testing links. 

Broken pipes can lead to uneven watering, plant damage, and higher utility bills. The longer you wait to fix them the more the repair cost may be.

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.