Top-rated excavation pros.

Get matched with top excavation pros in Shellsburg, IA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

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

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Shellsburg, IA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Shellsburg, 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 Shellsburg, 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 November 22, 2025

Find Excavation pros in Shellsburg

Avatar for Sedenka Excavating and Habitat
Sedenka Excavating and Habitat
4.9(
9
)

Serving Shellsburg, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Done in less time than I expected. They told me about a maintence routine."
Response time2 days
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Request Quote
Avatar for SCHANBECK LANDSCAPING & EXCAVATION, LLC
SCHANBECK LANDSCAPING & EXCAVATION, LLC
New to Angi

Serving Shellsburg, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Warranties offered

From Landscaping and Hardscape to Excavating/Grading, Concrete, Tree Removal/Stump Grinding, Material Hauling and More! We have the equipment and experience to get the job done right.\n\n? Free Estimates\n? Fully Insured\n? Quality Work You Can Trust\n? Big or Small, We Do It All\n\nNow scheduling projects! Contact us today to get on the calendar and bring your vision to life.\n\nWe are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of General Contractor services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!\n

Profile Picture
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Request Quote
Avatar for Terra Enterprises
Terra Enterprises
4.8(
5
)

Serving Shellsburg, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

"Terra poured a dyed and stamped concrete patio for us. They were responsive and upfront with pricing. They ended up delivering an amazing finished product!"
Landscape Design
Landscape Design
Landscape
Pergola
Pergola

+4

Response time1 day
Recommended by33%of homeowners
Request Quote
Showing 1-10 of 25
Excavating questions, answered by experts

A joint utility trench, or joint trench, is a long, buried ditch on a property that contains two or more utility lines rather than running the lines in multiple trenches. Some utilities, like gas and electric or electric and communication lines, are better suited to joint trenching, while others, like water and sewer, are not allowed to be in the same trench.

It takes one hour to dig a 10-foot trench by hand. Use a trenching shovel with a sharp tip and a long head. Plan for more time if your soil is heavy or rocky. Consider renting a trencher if you’re digging a long or deep trench or if you have challenging soil or terrain. 

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.

Some two-in-one tools and machines do both jobs, and those could be the right solution for smaller residential projects. However, the phrase “use the right tool for the job” definitely applies to digging. For the best results, get two separate tools for your trenching and landscape edging projects or call a pro to take care of everything for you.

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 Shellsburg, 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