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TRUSTED BY ALTON, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.9
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon13
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Alton

Avatar for Keeney Construction Excavation
Keeney Construction Excavation
4.9(
11
)

Serving Alton, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Martin did a great job clearing an area for where my monument was built and laying weed barrier and gravel. I am based in California so I was not able to meet up with him in person but I sent over some photos of what we needed and we messaged back and forth to confirm all the details of the work. The job was done with amazing speed and quality. I will be using him again if I have more work in the area and definitely suggest him to anyone looking to get landscaping/excavation work done."
Response time1 day
Response rate85%
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Green Outdoors
Green Outdoors
5.0(
12
)

Serving Alton, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"The work completed was exemplary! He knew what we needed done and he did exactly that. All work was performed in a timely manner which kept the cost to a minimum. You can't ask for more than that... I will definitely recommend Green Outdoors to anyone who needs property cleared!"
Green Outdoors
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for AB excavation
AB excavation
New to Angi

Serving Alton, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

AB Excavation is a locally owned and operated excavation and land clearing company based in Highland, Illinois.\nWe specialize in land clearing, grading, and site preparation for residential and small commercial projects. Our work includes Fences, small lot clearing, new home site prep, demolition and haul-off, pond and water feature excavation, and culvert installation.\n\nWe take pride in doing the job right the first time, showing up when we say we will, and communicating clearly with our customers from start to finish. Whether it’s clearing property, prepping a build site, or handling drainage work, we focus on quality workmanship, efficiency, and fair pricing.\n\nWe serve Highland and the surrounding areas and work closely with homeowners, builders, and property owners to get projects completed safely and on schedule.

Avatar for J T Bell excavation
J T Bell excavation
New to Angi

Serving Alton, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

J T Bell Excavation specializes in grading, land clearing, base dig outs, backfilling, trenching, and other excavation services. Reliable work done right for residential and commercial projects

1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

There are many ways to cut through roots when digging, especially if your trencher doesn’t seem to be removing the roots. First, use a shovel to expose the roots. Then, use gardening shears to clear out smaller roots or a reciprocating saw to remove larger plant roots. If you plan on keeping the plant, avoid cutting any roots over 2 inches thick.

Preparation involves site assessment, clearing debris, grading surfaces, and compacting soil to support stable construction.

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.

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.

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. 

The Alton, IL homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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