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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 Van Meter, 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
Madison County Renovations, Inc.
5.0(
3
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Van Meter, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Madison County Renovations did a fantastic job on our project! We had concrete buried in our yard (from road construction or home construction), causing our grass and trees to die. The crew did a great job removing concrete, re-leveling our yard, and planting grass seed. The crew was quick and did a great job cleaning up. Besides no grass in the area of excavation, you would never even know they were there. Mark, the owner, was also kind enough to fix our sliding glass door that was sticking/not shutting well. Overall, I would highly recommend Maddison County Renovations."
Concrete washout removal
Delivery of half load of black dirt
Glass Door adjustment
Concrete washout removal
Storm window replacement

+7

Response time9 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Iowa Landscaping
Iowa Landscaping
5.0(
3
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Van Meter, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Preston and the Iowa Landscaping crew were great to work with. They did a raised flower bed in the front of our home, planted another area for us, and built a retaining wall area on the side of our house. The design process was seem-less, Preston stayed in constant contact with us, and the end result was phenomenal. Could not be happier to recommend to anyone and everyone."
Natural Stone
Planter Bed
Iowa Buff Wall
Rock wall with steps
Boulder Wall

+15

Response time2 days
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Friend Landscaping
Friend Landscaping
4.8(
59
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Van Meter, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We called Bill asking for estimate to do landscaping geared toward keeping water away from foundation. He came out the very next day and was very knowledgeable and gave honest assessment. He told us we should first consult a basement waterproofing company to see if corrective measures needed to drainage system around house. He wouldn't recommend landscaping until that issue was assessed. He clearly had our best interests in mind rather than selling us services that may not solve the problem. Will definitely recontact Bill in future once we have assessment of foundation drainage. He was prompt, knowledgeable--and honest"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+81

Recommended by98%of homeowners
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 Van Meter, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"The Greenspruce crew was amazing! We had four trees to remove and some additional branch trimming. One was a very large old tree that had grown out over neighbors property in a few directions. They were able to remove all the trees without even entering the neighbors' yards and brought all branches and trunks down without any damage to flower beds. They arrived on time, charged what we agreed too, and worked quickly to remove the trees. They will be back on a later date to remove stumps."
Response time4 hrs
Response rate90%
Recommended by52%of homeowners
Avatar for Prime Surface Solutions
Prime Surface Solutions
5.0(
9
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Van Meter, 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
Showing 1-10 of 43
Excavating questions, answered by experts

Yes, an excavation company is the best option for land grading and yard leveling. General landscapers might be able to tackle these projects, but an excavation company will do a better job because they’re used to operating the necessary heavy machinery. Landscapers might opt to do the work manually, which takes much longer and could cost you more in labor fees. Finally, excavation companies will understand local regulations and know when you need permits to legalize the work, while a landscaper might not.

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.

There are several methods to hollow out a tree stump, and the best one depends on your tools, experience, and priorities. Common methods include using a chisel and hammer, a chainsaw, or burning.

  • Chisel and Hammer: This is often considered the easiest approach for those with limited tools or experience, though it is the most time-consuming.

  • Chainsaw: Using a chainsaw is the fastest method, but it comes with significant safety risks, especially for inexperienced users.

  • Burning: This can be an effective method, but it is not recommended unless you can first drill holes into the stump. Without holes, the stump will be difficult to light and may not burn completely through.

A power drill with at least a ⅜-inch diameter bit can make the job quicker and easier, regardless of the primary method. While you can use a chisel or chainsaw without a drill, it will require more time and effort. Always wear protective goggles and thick gloves, as splinters are an inevitable risk.

The average cost of excavation is approximately $3,200, with typical projects ranging from $500 to $15,000. Depending on the contractor, you may be charged between $50 and $200 per cubic yard or an hourly rate of $40 to $180 for an excavation specialist. The total cost is influenced by several factors, including the project size, the amount of soil to be removed, and the soil's condition. Hard soil, tree roots, or excessive rocks and clay can increase the price, potentially adding $200 to $1,200 to the final bill. Other factors that can drive up costs include the presence of nearby structures that complicate the work or tight spaces that require manual excavation instead of heavy machinery.

Hard soil could be a sign of overly dry dirt, either from poor drainage or drought. It's important to test the nutrient levels, density, and drainage capacity of your soil to see if it's absorbing water properly. Begin by adding a light layer of water and observing how long the soil retains moisture. If you experience a good deal of runoff, you may need to aerate your lawn, apply a wetting agent, or hire a professional for a closer look.

The Van Meter, IA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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