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*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Burlington, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Excavation companies in Burlington, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

Last update on April 14, 2026

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Spoon River Property Preservation
New to Angi
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Burlington, IA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

I have over 20 years experience...\nWhole house trash outs \nBarn/shed clean outs\nGarage/Yard clean outs\nJunk /clutter removal \nNo job to BIG or SMALL \nBook with Spoon River Property Preservation today! \n

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Excavating questions, answered by experts

In most areas, you will need a permit for excavation work, even for projects that only involve grading or yard leveling. Permit requirements depend on your local government and the scope of the project, but they are especially common for significant digging or work that could affect utilities or public property. These permits help protect the local topography and prevent drainage issues. An experienced excavation company will typically know whether permits are needed and can often handle the process of pulling and closing them for you. You can also verify permit requirements by contacting your local building department and describing your project.

Depth is not a qualifying component of evacuation. Any human-made cut, cavity, or depression in the earth’s surface is considered excavation. The hole from excavation can be any size, shape, or depth. Excavation is used to create foundations, reservoirs, drainage ditches, and roads. Long, narrow excavations are called trenches and are often used for underground utilities.

Yes, you can install a trench drain if you already have concrete in your yard or garden. While it can complicate some aspects of the job and slightly run up the cost, it is doable. Residential trench drains can be easily retrofitted to outdoor areas with concrete without having to remove excessive amounts of your patio, pool area, or decorative walkways.

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.

Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most sprinkler lines are buried between four and 12 inches underground. On the other hand, water mains usually sit between one and 3 feet below ground. However, they can go even deeper in cold climates to prevent freezing.

The Burlington, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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