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*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Calmar, 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 Calmar, 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 May 20, 2026

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Avatar for Modern Edge Construction, LLC.
Modern Edge Construction, LLC.
5.0(
9
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Calmar, IA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It was excellent! They did a good job. I will hire them again."
Remodeling - General Project
Fangmann’s Property Make Over
Roofing Project
Handymen Project
Remodeling - Kitchen & Bathroom Project

+83

Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

No, you typically cannot use metal detectors to find your sewer line. Most sewer lines are made of non-metallic materials such as PVC, clay, or cast iron, which are not detectable by standard metal detectors. Metal detectors are designed to locate metallic objects, so they won't be effective for identifying the path of a non-metallic sewer line. To locate your sewer line accurately, it's best to use other methods.

Trenches are typically 12 to 24 inches deep and 8 inches wide. However, the required depth depends on the specific project and local ordinances. For example, a French drain may need to be 18 inches deep, while a water pipe might require a depth of 24 inches and a drainage pipe 36 inches. Your city or county may have specific regulations, so it's wise to consult with an excavation professional to determine the correct depth for your project.

The digging depth will depend on the size of the trencher you use. Even smaller units can dig up to 4 feet deep, which is plenty for a DIY job. However, much larger trenchers can reach a depth of 18 feet and are better used by a team of pro contractors, not a single DIYer. As with all home improvement projects, use the right tool for the job and proceed with caution.

Preparation involves site assessment, clearing debris, grading surfaces, and compacting soil to support stable construction.

A crawl space can be as little as 42 inches below the grade of your house, but this is not always recommended in flood-prone areas. At a minimum, there must be at least 16 inches of clearance between the ground and the floor joists to access the space in an emergency.

The Calmar, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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