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Best excavation pros near Des Moines, IA

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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Des Moines, IA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, 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 July 06, 2026

Top-Rated Excavation pros in Des Moines - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Vertex Construction Services
Vertex Construction Services
5.0(
11
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+1 more

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Billy has done several jobs for us. He leveled our 3 season porch after it settled. He added a 40 foot deck onto that porch. He’s done some grading, excavating and rock hauling/spreading. Would highly recommend!"
Grading
Grading
Grading
Grading
Sidewalk backfill

+13

Response time12 hrs
Response rate100%
24 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Avatar for JCH Excavating, LLC
JCH Excavating, LLC
5.0(
1
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

JCH EXCAVATING LLC is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.

New Drive
Smaller tools
Response time2 days
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Avatar for Galt Hexagon
Galt Hexagon
5.0(
9
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very pleased with Brian and the whole process. He was great to work with."
Washout 1
Washout 2
Washout 3
Graded 1
Graded 2

+2

Response time1 day
Recommended by88%of homeowners
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Avatar for PreCon Demolition LLC
PreCon Demolition LLC
4.7(
84
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Black Oak was spot on from the first contact. Will definitely use them in the future and recommend them to friends and family."
After
Before
After
Before
Flyer

+11

Recommended by98%of homeowners
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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 Des Moines, 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
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Avatar for Friend Landscaping
Friend Landscaping
4.8(
59
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Fantastic from first contact with very reasonable estimate, great communication, completion with friendly and competent workers within days!! I couldn’t be happier!! I will seek them out for any future landscaping projects!!"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
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Avatar for Pinnacle Co. LLC
Pinnacle Co. LLC
5.0(
17
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+1 more

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Super professional, quick, and great prices for tree removal."
Response time4 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by52%of homeowners
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Avatar for JJM Services, LLC
JJM Services, LLC
5.0(
9
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Dig out and unclog drain on Saturday afternoon with virtually zero notice. We were very satisfied."
Response time8 hrs
Response rate94%
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Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Des Moines, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Prime Solutions did a great job resurfacing our fiberglass shower. It had a few cracks that needed repaired and we went with a new color. They were on time to the job, fairly priced and worked hard until the job was done. Will definitely hire them again should we need any further work done!!"
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Zach’s kitchen countertop
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Nicks resurfaced vanities
Bathtub/ Shower Projects

+45

Response time1 day
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VH Excavating LLC
3.3(
15
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Des Moines, 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
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Showing 1-10 of 55
Excavating FAQs, answered by experts

Before starting an excavating project in IA, gather your property survey to confirm legal boundaries. Document your underground utility ticket number and note any private lines, like invisible fences or irrigation systems. Record your property's flood zone status and any known drainage issues. Finally, secure your right-of-way permit details and check for any neighborhood rules regarding grading and earthmoving.

Helpful?

Install temporary fencing around your excavating site to keep children and pets away from open trenches and dangerous utility lines. Des Moines clay creates extremely slippery mud, so designate clear walkways to prevent falls and stop soil from tracking indoors. Ask your contractor to backfill trenches at the end of each day, and wash hands thoroughly after touching disturbed earth.

Helpful?

Overwatering your lawn or directing downspouts toward recently backfilled trenches causes IA clay soils to expand, leading to settling and cracks. Parking heavy vehicles on fresh backfill compresses the earth and damages underground work. Planting deep-rooted trees near utility lines destroys pipes over time. Always direct sump pump discharge away from foundation excavating to prevent constant soil saturation and erosion.

Helpful?

Most residential excavating projects in Des Moines take three to seven days for utility lines or two to five days for basements. Factor in five to ten business days for permit processing and a mandatory three-day wait for utility marking. Spring rains and saturated clay soils cause multi-week delays, while deep winter frost slows digging significantly. Summer offers the best conditions.

Helpful?

In Des Moines, several types of professionals handle excavating. General contractors manage site preparation and grading for large projects. Utility specialists focus on underground water, sewer, and gas lines. Foundation experts understand how local clay soils behave during basement digs. Drainage specialists install retention basins to prevent flooding, while landscape professionals grade yards. Finally, environmental experts manage contaminated soil removal safely.

Helpful?

The Des Moines, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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

See all articles