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Downs Excavating LLC
5.0(
4
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Colfax, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Contacted Downs Excavating to assist with hauling away junk and debris from flood damage and he was quick to show up and get the job done! Fast and friendly service and have recommended Travis to everyone I know."
Response time5 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Friend Landscaping
Friend Landscaping
4.8(
59
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Colfax, 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
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+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Colfax, 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
VH Excavating LLC
3.3(
15
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Colfax, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Amazing service, professional work. The concrete supplier sent bad concrete and the final result had issues because of it. Steve and Austin stood behind their work and made it right. Good friendly people who are experts at their work. Couldn’t be happier and recommend that anyone who needs work call these guys."
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Goldsmith Industries LLC
Goldsmith Industries LLC
5.0(
2
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Colfax, 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
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Colfax, 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

Yes, you can excavate in the winter, but it might make the job harder. Frozen ground is harder to dig, and snow or ice can make the work site more hazardous. A contractor may need special equipment and techniques, such as ground-thawing methods, to break through frozen soil. Although winter excavation is possible, it may take longer and be more costly than excavating during warmer months.

The easier way to find buried sprinkler lines is to use the plan from the professionals who installed the system. If you don’t have professional plans, listen for running water on your lawn when you turn on the system. You may also spot wet areas, giving you an idea of where the heads are. Once you find the sprinkler heads, you’ll likely be able to connect the dots between them, revealing the system below.

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.

Call 811 to locate and mark the gas lines at least three days before digging. In many areas, you can dig within 18 inches of the lines, though in some locations, the distance may be further. Check local regulations, as you may need a utility company representative onsite when digging. Document your calls to 811 and precautions taken to avoid gas lines. A homeowner can be held liable for hitting a gas line in some cases, but contacting the proper authorities and following all guidelines can offer protection.

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.

The Colfax, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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