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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Calmar, IA

*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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Avatar for SCHANBECK LANDSCAPING & EXCAVATION, LLC
SCHANBECK LANDSCAPING & EXCAVATION, LLC
New to Angi
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Calmar, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Warranties offered

From Landscaping and Hardscape to Excavating/Grading, Concrete, Tree Removal/Stump Grinding, Material Hauling and More! We have the equipment and experience to get the job done right.\n\n? Free Estimates\n? Fully Insured\n? Quality Work You Can Trust\n? Big or Small, We Do It All\n\nNow scheduling projects! Contact us today to get on the calendar and bring your vision to life.\n\nWe are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of General Contractor services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!\n

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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.

To drill a shallow well, you may be able to use a drive well point. This is a tapered point that is driven into the ground. A drill bit at the end of PVC pipe may be another option to consider. A lot of the cost depends on what tools are available near you.

Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.

Yes, an excavation company is the best option for land grading and yard leveling. General landscapers might be able to tackle these projects, but an excavation company will do a better job because they’re used to operating the necessary heavy machinery. Landscapers might opt to do the work manually, which takes much longer and could cost you more in labor fees. Finally, excavation companies will understand local regulations and know when you need permits to legalize the work, while a landscaper might not.

After you successfully remove your boulder, you have a few options for what to do to get rid of it. You can rent a dumpster if your yard has many boulders or if you’re planning a larger project. You can even save the boulder and reuse it elsewhere on your property to save on landscaping costs. A few ideas include using the boulder as a natural, abstract statue, breaking it into smaller pieces to line your garden bed, or offering it to a landscaping company that could reuse it for another project.

The Calmar, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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