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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Dubuque, IA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, 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 April 27, 2026

Find Excavation pros in Dubuque

Avatar for TDC Excavating, Inc.
TDC Excavating, Inc.
5.0(
6
)

Serving Dubuque, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"James did the excavation work for our pool to be installed and then did the concrete around it once it was installed. James does quality work! He communicates and shows up when he says he is going to. Pricing was very fair. We will have James do more work in the future."
Response time2 days
10 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Avatar for Ground Line Company, LLC
Ground Line Company, LLC
5.0(
3
)

Serving Dubuque, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

"I highly recommend Ground Line Company for any excavation or utility prep work. I’ve partnered with them on multiple jobs, and their attention to detail is top-tier. They are precise with their depths and layouts, which is critical for electrical inspections and code compliance."
Tree Clearing
Tree Clearing
Tree Clearing
Grading
Response time6 hrs
Response rate100%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Avatar for Weigant Home Improvement
Weigant Home Improvement
4.3(
6
)

Serving Dubuque, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Would highly recommend this company we needed our living room completely gutted and re-insulated due to the weather during the winter they came in and removed our whole living room installed new wiring and recessed lights and insulation in a timely manner and very professional. We will be having more work completed by this company again thank you so much"
12 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Avatar for Modern Edge Construction
Modern Edge Construction
4.3(
39
)

Serving Dubuque, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"There aren’t enough words to express how happy we are with Cade and Modern Edge Construction! Cade helped us finish our basement and lay down new flooring on the main level. He was at our house within 24hrs to give us an estimate and started working on the house the very next day! Cade always communicated the plan, was extremely fair with pricing, and took a lot of pride in his work! We have a couple more projects and can’t wait to work with him again! Highly recommend! 😃"
7
2
5
1
3

+29

Response time2 days
Recommended by75%of homeowners
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Dusty Howe Excavating, LLC
New to Angi

Serving Dubuque, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Dusty Howe Excavating 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.

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Excavating questions, answered by experts

In most areas, you will need a permit for excavation work, even for projects that only involve grading or yard leveling. Permit requirements depend on your local government and the scope of the project, but they are especially common for significant digging or work that could affect utilities or public property. These permits help protect the local topography and prevent drainage issues. An experienced excavation company will typically know whether permits are needed and can often handle the process of pulling and closing them for you. You can also verify permit requirements by contacting your local building department and describing your project.

There is no standard depth for burying a septic tank; they are typically buried anywhere from 4 inches to 4 feet underground. The final depth depends on several factors, including the depth of your main sewer line, the height of the bedrock, soil type, local regulations, and the property's landscape. If you plan to grow grass or plants over the tank, a depth of at least 4 to 6 inches is recommended. Deeper tanks can be more difficult to locate, but a septic professional can help find it for you.

Digging a bush up by the roots is the most natural DIY method for removing a bush stump. Start by identifying the shrub type and revealing its roots. Cut the shrub to its base and loosen the soil, ensuring no utility lines are nearby. Optionally, treat the base with herbicide, then dig around the roots and cut a circle around the shrub using various tools. Dig a trench, cut the base of the root ball, and finally fill the hole to prevent regrowth. This thorough process ensures complete removal without damaging surrounding areas.

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 best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

The Dubuque, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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

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