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River Hills
5.0(
8
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+1 more

Serving Colfax, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Brian and Tyler did excavating work on an old marsh for me. Their workmanship and knowledge on the job was incredible. The outcome was well beyond my expectations. If you need excavating work done, River Hills Excavating is the only company you will need to contact. I give them my highest recommendation."
Response time1 day
Response rate91%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
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
Additional Photos
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

The rules for trenching and excavation include setting up and following safety protocols, learning how to use tools and machines properly, and ensuring there is a safe exit for all workers. Keep heavy equipment and materials away from the edge of the hole or trench. Call the 811 dig line before starting any excavation or trenching project to ensure you don’t hit any electrical or gas lines.

Dumpsters work best on hard, study, and level surfaces made of asphalt, stone, or concrete. If the surface is uneven or too soft, the dumpster could get stuck or tip over when filled. Keep in mind that you must obtain a dumpster permit to keep it on a city street in many areas.

No, a ditch isn’t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that’s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that’s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don’t get filled back in with dirt after they’re dug.

Excavation is priced in cubic yards, so you’ll need to find the volume of the area in order to calculate costs. Multiply the length, width, and proposed depth of your excavation site, then convert it into yards to get the volume. Multiply this figure by the price per cubic yard.

Most homeowners can measure by hand to get a rough estimate, even if it’s tedious. You may want to pull out a tape measure or use a string to help mark the area.

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.

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.