How deep are water lines buried?

• <div><p>Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-deep-are-sprinkler-lines.htm">sprinkler lines are buried</a> between four and 12 inches underground. On the other hand, water mains usually sit between one and 3 feet below ground. However, they can go even deeper in cold climates to prevent freezing.</p></div>

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Q: How much does it cost to dig a trench?

• <div><p>The <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/trenching-cost.htm">cost to dig a trench</a> ranges from $400 to $1,200 per 100 linear feet, depending on the soil, depth, and width. Plan to spend $5 to $12 per linear foot for trenching (it&rsquo;ll be on the higher end if you have rocky soil). Renting a trencher costs $100 to $250 per hour, depending on the type of trencher. </p></div>

Q: How far under the ground are sewer lines buried?

• <div><p>The answer may vary based on where you live. Residential sewer lines are generally buried 5 feet to 6 feet under the ground. However, it's not uncommon to see pipes buried as deep as 8 feet in colder climates in order to ensure that piping is placed below the freeze line. Digging depth could impact your sewer line replacement cost.</p></div>

Q: Can I DIY trenching or edging?

• <div><p>Landscape edging is more DIYable than trenching. You can DIY your own digging projects, but proceed carefully and only with proper knowledge of the equipment and appropriate safety measures in place. Keep in mind the project's scope and estimate how long it will take you to do it on your own. While you can certainly save money by DIYing home improvement projects, you can&rsquo;t exactly hide an unfinished&mdash;or worse, ruined&mdash; landscaping job from the neighbors. It&rsquo;s always safer to call an excavation pro near you to get an estimate.</p></div>

Q: How deep should you bury underground electrical wire?

• <div><p>You can bury underground electrical wire six inches deep&mdash;but only if you use a rigid metal electrical conduit. For rigid, non-metallic conduits, bury the wire at least 12 inches deep. If using an underground feeder cable rated for direct burial, you'll need to place it at least 18 inches deep, as it has no conduit for extra protection.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Ruthven, IA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Ruthven, 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 Ruthven, 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 January 14, 2026

Reviewed in February 2025
BHG Frameless Shower Doors Denver provided top-notch service from start to finish. They helped us choose the right shower door for our space, and the installation was flawless. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a quality shower door replacement!!!
BHG Frameless Shower Doors Denver
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Reviewed in March 2024
The trai n ing of the dogs went great. So far so good!
Dog Guard
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Reviewed in November 2023
They were very prompt and professional.
Mr. Appliance of Sioux City
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Reviewed in June 2023
My wife Lori hired Tammy a few times over the years. She's helped us clear out a house in Denver (we're in Iowa), organize house space, and organizing office space. This relationship has gone on for years and we keep going back to her because she's reliable, innovative, and...
Tidy Tammy Organizing Services
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Reviewed in March 2023
All I can say is wow. Mike was very nice and professional. He was Ontime and his team worked together very well. I was given an up front price and there were no surprises. I recommend TOP 1 Expert Home improvement LLC for your roofing work
Top 1 Expert Home improvement LLC
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Reviewed in July 2022
Len was very professional, friendly, conscientious and easy to work with! He did a great job and our area rug looks amazing!
Advanced Interior Care, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2021
They have been excellent and I have no problems with them. I like that I can make an appointment and they can work me in. I would highly recommend them.
Exhaust Pros
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FRASE & CO CONSTRUCTION

2.75(

)

Free onsite estimate

Frase Construction Inc is a locally owned and operated business in the Ottumwa area since 1999. Business owner, Jeremy Frase invites you to come visit his showroom, complete with a large variety of retail products. Frase Construction specializes in new construction and remodeling. Serves include: - Roofing - Additions - Windows - Siding - Kitchens & Baths - Cabinets - Concrete - Electrical - Plumbing - Decks - Garages - General contractors - Designed build - Egress Windows - Casement Windows - Energy Efficient Windows - Skylights - Sliding Windows - Storm Windows - Installation - New Construction - Remdeling - Repair - Wood Shake roofs and Shingles - Maintenance - Green Building - Residential - Commercial - Metal - Wood - Fiberglass - Vinyl - Driveways - Concrete removal - Concrete Coloring - Walls - Foundations - Decorative Concrete - Concrete Cutting - Stairs - Patios - Sidewalks - Stamped Concrete - Industrial - Garages - Cabinets - Laminate - Cabinet hardware - Snow Removal - Ice Removal - Snow Blowing - Snow Plowing - Additions ? - Bathrooms - Decks - Electrical - Kitchens - Plumbing - Roofing - Siding - and more Our project types include: Commerical (Office Buildijngs, Shopping Centers, Car Dealerships and more), Resteraunts, Warehouses, Rental Spaces, Residential (Multi-Family and Tenant Finish) For the best service in the area, give us a call so we can prove to you that you made the right choice.

Bills Concrete & Handyman Services

5.00(

)

Bills Concrete & Handyman Services

5.00(

)

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

We have done all our own work we do not sub work out to anyone We want you to be happy with us. We accept Checks and credit cards their is no job to small we can't handle

VANS Excavating, LLC.

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VANS Excavating, LLC.

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10 years of experience

Excavation, Demolition, & Concrete Flat Work serving throughout Northwest & Central Iowa.

Gilbert's Septic Service

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Gilbert's Septic Service

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No reviews yet

3 years of experience

The company provides various exterior contracting solutions to meet the needs of every customer. We specialize in decks, porches, fences, outside fireplaces, brick lain walkways, septic tanks, residential utility service repair, environmental remediation, hazmat clean up and much more!

Showing 1-10 of 20

Excavating questions, answered by experts

The cost to dig a trench ranges from $400 to $1,200 per 100 linear feet, depending on the soil, depth, and width. Plan to spend $5 to $12 per linear foot for trenching (it’ll be on the higher end if you have rocky soil). Renting a trencher costs $100 to $250 per hour, depending on the type of trencher.

The answer may vary based on where you live. Residential sewer lines are generally buried 5 feet to 6 feet under the ground. However, it's not uncommon to see pipes buried as deep as 8 feet in colder climates in order to ensure that piping is placed below the freeze line. Digging depth could impact your sewer line replacement cost.

Landscape edging is more DIYable than trenching. You can DIY your own digging projects, but proceed carefully and only with proper knowledge of the equipment and appropriate safety measures in place. Keep in mind the project's scope and estimate how long it will take you to do it on your own. While you can certainly save money by DIYing home improvement projects, you can’t exactly hide an unfinished—or worse, ruined— landscaping job from the neighbors. It’s always safer to call an excavation pro near you to get an estimate.

Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most sprinkler lines are buried between four and 12 inches underground. On the other hand, water mains usually sit between one and 3 feet below ground. However, they can go even deeper in cold climates to prevent freezing.

You can bury underground electrical wire six inches deep—but only if you use a rigid metal electrical conduit. For rigid, non-metallic conduits, bury the wire at least 12 inches deep. If using an underground feeder cable rated for direct burial, you'll need to place it at least 18 inches deep, as it has no conduit for extra protection.

The Ruthven, 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

Paige Bennett
•
Oct 13, 2025Oct 13, 2025
How Much Are Excavator Rental Prices? [2025 Data]
Preparing for a big excavation project in your yard? Find out excavator rental prices by type, project size, and more to budget for your project.
Paige Bennett
•
Jun 2, 2025Jun 2, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House? [2025 Data]
How much does it cost to demolish a house? Average prices for demolition vary based on home size, materials, and location. A partial demolition can make a project more affordable than a full house demolition. Keep reading for more.
Mariel Loveland
•
Nov 28, 2025Nov 28, 2025
How Much Does Excavation Cost? [2025 Data]
Excavation costs $1,500 to $6,300 for most residential projects—but it depends on factors like the size of the area. This guide will help you plan a budget.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
•
Nov 14, 2025Nov 14, 2025
How to Use a Trencher Safely and When to Call a Pro
Using a trencher is more efficient than using a shovel when excavating. Here’s a basic guide on how to use a trencher for your next project.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
•
Nov 4, 2024Nov 4, 2024
What’s the Difference Between Trenching and Edging?
Trenching involves digging long, deep channels, but edging creates shallow, neat borders. Learn more about each method and when to use them.
Jenna Jonaitis
•
Nov 4, 2024Nov 4, 2024
How Deep Will a Trencher Dig? Which Trencher to Choose
A residential trencher will dig 1 foot to 6 feet deep, depending on the machine. Learn how deep a trencher will dig and which trencher to use.

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Tree Removal Service

Building Site Preparation and Clearing

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Leroy Morford Construction Co. The Concrete King

Leroy Morford Construction Co. The Concrete King

Savannah Construction

Savannah Construction

Dirt Werks by Kurt LLC

Dirt Werks by Kurt LLC

FRASE & CO CONSTRUCTION

FRASE & CO CONSTRUCTION

Bills Concrete & Handyman Services

Bills Concrete & Handyman Services

VANS Excavating, LLC.

VANS Excavating, LLC.

Gilbert's Septic Service

Gilbert's Septic Service

Glens Sackett Trucking & Excavating

Glens Sackett Trucking & Excavating

myhometutions

myhometutions

K&M Exteriors LLC

K&M Exteriors LLC

The Ruthven, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

How Much Are Excavator Rental Prices? [2025 Data]

How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House? [2025 Data]

How Much Does Excavation Cost? [2025 Data]

How to Use a Trencher Safely and When to Call a Pro

What’s the Difference Between Trenching and Edging?

How Deep Will a Trencher Dig? Which Trencher to Choose

Get our Angi-powered app

Get matched with top excavation pros in Ruthven, IA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your excavation project in Ruthven, IA?

Tree Removal Service

Building Site Preparation and Clearing

Handyman for Multiple Small Project Service

Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Ruthven, IA

Find Excavation pros in Ruthven

Leroy Morford Construction Co. The Concrete King

Leroy Morford Construction Co. The Concrete King

Savannah Construction

Savannah Construction

Dirt Werks by Kurt LLC

Dirt Werks by Kurt LLC

FRASE & CO CONSTRUCTION

FRASE & CO CONSTRUCTION

Bills Concrete & Handyman Services

Bills Concrete & Handyman Services

VANS Excavating, LLC.

VANS Excavating, LLC.

Gilbert's Septic Service

Gilbert's Septic Service

Glens Sackett Trucking & Excavating

Glens Sackett Trucking & Excavating

myhometutions

myhometutions

K&M Exteriors LLC

K&M Exteriors LLC

The Ruthven, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

How Much Are Excavator Rental Prices? [2025 Data]

How Much Does It Cost to Demolish a House? [2025 Data]

How Much Does Excavation Cost? [2025 Data]

How to Use a Trencher Safely and When to Call a Pro

What’s the Difference Between Trenching and Edging?

How Deep Will a Trencher Dig? Which Trencher to Choose

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