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TRUSTED BY CAROL STREAM, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon14
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Carol Stream

Avatar for Golden Willow Landscaping
Golden Willow Landscaping
4.8(
11
)

Serving Carol Stream, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They are very helpful with suggestions. My yard looks great and they re-laid my brick sidewalk. Indy was very courteous and the crew was friendly. Great job."
Richcliff Dawn Mist
Richcliff Dawn Mist
Richcliff Dawn Mist Top & Copthorne Mixed Sold
Sidewalk Before Installation
After Installation

+14

Response time1 day
Response rate85%
14 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Fern's Landscaping & Design
Fern's Landscaping & Design
4.4(
35
)

Serving Carol Stream, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Would be tough to find another company that works so hard with great pricing and top notch work. They installed a paver patio with a tv wall with a fire pit and sitting wall. They also added in a walkway with landscaping and sodded the rest of the yard. Their work is phenomenal! I can’t say enough about the crew but they put their all into your project to make sure you’re very happy!"
Aurora's project
Batavia's project
front yard renovation
front yard renovation
Plant design

+36

Response time1 day
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by83%of homeowners
Avatar for Dupage Carpenters, LLC
Dupage Carpenters, LLC
5.0(
4
)

Serving Carol Stream, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Professional work with quality. Took care of approvals. Cost effective and timely manner. He did another project for replacing chimney wood replacement and brought required machinery to perform the job. I will recommend to all for carpenters needs."
Avatar for TITON SERVICES OF ELGIN LLC
TITON SERVICES OF ELGIN LLC
5.0(
14
)

Serving Carol Stream, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"A friend recommended Titan to me for a small excavating job I needed done at my commercial property. I worked with Brian on the project and everything went flawlessly. They showed up on time and did a great job. I was very impressed with the clean up after they finished. Since then, I signed a snow plowing contract to plow all of my properties."
Soil Conditioning
Soil Conditioning
Soil Conditioning
Soil Conditioning
Soil Conditioning

+5

Response time5 hrs
Recommended by78%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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 best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

Most states do not require excavation companies to hold specific licenses, but many require at least a contractor’s license. Additionally, heavy equipment operators require a special commercial equipment license to operate machinery required for excavation. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing tool to confirm that an excavation company you’re considering hiring is fully licensed. You should also make sure that the excavation team is fully insured before allowing them to work on your property.

The best way to protect tree roots is to avoid the roots entirely by excavating outside the root radius of the tree. For nearby projects, it’s a good idea to construct a temporary retaining wall. But that’s not always possible, depending on the project and the root system. In these cases, consider using alternative equipment like an auger to tunnel under the ground.

Remember, tree roots can damage nearby cement foundations as they grow. If a tree is close enough to interfere with large excavations, it may be better to remove the tree than risk future problems.

The Carol Stream, IL homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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