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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Grinnell, IA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Grinnell, 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 Grinnell, 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 June 18, 2026

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River Hills
5.0(
8
)

Serving Grinnell, 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%
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)

Serving Grinnell, 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
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Avatar for Dynamic Grading
Dynamic Grading
New to Angi

Serving Grinnell, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

We are dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in excavation and building site services, as well as landscaping material delivery and construction debris removal. We specialize in residential and commercial services and take pride in the attention to detail put into each of the projects we're involved with. We're known for our quality work and the integrity of our business. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients, and guarantee your satisfaction.

Response time6 hrs
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Avatar for Sugar Creek Outdoor Services
Sugar Creek Outdoor Services
New to Angi

Serving Grinnell, IA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

We treat your property like it’s our own. You’ll get honest communication, clear pricing, and a team that actually listens to what you want. No surprises, just great results you’ll be proud to show off.

TSI
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Mid Iowa Site Services, LLC
New to Angi

Serving Grinnell, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

With over 20 years of experience, Mid Iowa Site Services is the solution for all your demolition, excavation, and gravel needs. We take great pride in our extreme professionalism, timeliness and superior customer service on every job. We develop lasting relationship, so that the next time service is needed there's no question who to call. Satisfaction guaranteed! Call us today!\n

Response time3 hrs
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

The best type of soil to build on is a mixture of sand and clay, known as loam soil. Loam soil has the best combination of these soil types to build a foundation on. The clay particles help with water retention, so it won’t erode like sandy soil might, and the sandy particles help with drainage, so you won’t see unsafe soil expansion or have an increased risk of leaks from water sitting against your foundation.

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.

Septic drain lines (or leach lines) are typically buried between 18 and 36 inches underground, and should be at least 6 inches below the surface. These pipes are perforated and surrounded by filtering materials like sand or gravel. Burying the lines at this depth helps minimize odors and allows bacteria and other biological processes in the soil to effectively treat the wastewater. Burying lines too close to the surface can cause issues unless the soil is very compact and stable.

A perc test can take anywhere from one to eight hours to complete. The total time depends on factors like the amount of excavation required, the depth and width of the holes, and whether multiple test holes are needed. For a single hole, the process of filling it with water and monitoring the drainage rate usually takes less than an hour. Professionals can often complete the entire test in a single day. While it's possible to get results the same day, some companies may take a few days to provide the official report.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

The Grinnell, 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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