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TRUSTED BY COLUMBIA, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon39
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Columbia

Eleven Eleven Excavating, LLC
5.0(
9
)

Serving Columbia, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"From start to finish, he was fantastic, friendly, and made sure I got what exactly what I wanted. The guy he had come out Work. We’re also very professional and made sure that nothing was left behind Trash or anything else. I was extremely pleased with the job that they had done!"
Response time10 hrs
Response rate98%
Recommended by42%of homeowners
Avatar for UTRERA LANDSCAPING LLC
UTRERA LANDSCAPING LLC
5.0(
11
)

Serving Columbia, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

UTRERA LANDSCAPING is a family-owned and operated landscaping, hardscaping, and concrete company dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces with craftsmanship, care, and commitment. With deep roots in our community, we bring decades of hands-on experience and a personal touch to every project whether itÂ’s designing a lush, functional landscape, installing beautiful and durable hardscape features, or pouring high-quality concrete that stands the test of time. We specialize in a full range of residential and commercial services, including landscape design and maintenance, paver patios and walkways, retaining walls, driveways, decorative concrete, stamped concrete, and more.

2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by9%of homeowners
Avatar for Accented Exteriors
Accented Exteriors
4.7(
25
)

Serving Columbia, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Kevin & crew have done several jobs for me over the past from lawn mowing,yard cleanup,& most recently a retaing wall. Always courteous, timely,& offering suggestions or advised recommendations"
Rear wall
Response time9 hrs
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Avatar for Allen Pace
Allen Pace
5.0(
2
)

Serving Columbia, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Quick response to my request on Friday and demolition the next Monday. The demolition and removal took less than an hour. I am pleased because the dilapidated shed was in the way of my next home improvement project. I told Alan I was leaving for vacation Monday morning. He was on site at 7:15 am."
Response time3 hrs
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Cherokee Outdoors
Cherokee Outdoors
5.0(
3
)

Serving Columbia, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Iâ d definitely recommend Cherokee Outdoors. Itâ s lower cost than most corporate companies and heâ s proven that he will take care of my yard like its his. It looks better every time and he provides excellent customer service by showing up on time and efficiently communicating. Itâ s easier for me to go through Cherokee Outdoors rather than a large corporation."
Response time2 days
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for AB excavation
AB excavation
New to Angi

Serving Columbia, 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.

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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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. 

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.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

Tree experts don’t advise against digging through tree roots, but instead encourage caution and consultation with a local arborist to make sure you don’t damage the tree’s structure or interrupt its water or nutrient intake. An arborist can recommend specific practices when digging and help prune the roots or dig a trench for utilities with a tool that can remove soil without touching the tree’s roots.

Septic drain lines (or leach lines) are typically buried between 18 and 36 inches underground, and should be at least 6 inches below the surface. These pipes are perforated and surrounded by filtering materials like sand or gravel. Burying the lines at this depth helps minimize odors and allows bacteria and other biological processes in the soil to effectively treat the wastewater. Burying lines too close to the surface can cause issues unless the soil is very compact and stable.

The Columbia, IL homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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