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  • 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
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business+1 more

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
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

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
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

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
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing

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
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

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
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

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

In most areas, you will need a permit for excavation work, even for projects that only involve grading or yard leveling. Permit requirements depend on your local government and the scope of the project, but they are especially common for significant digging or work that could affect utilities or public property. These permits help protect the local topography and prevent drainage issues. An experienced excavation company will typically know whether permits are needed and can often handle the process of pulling and closing them for you. You can also verify permit requirements by contacting your local building department and describing your project.

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.

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.

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. 

Above ground pools are not buried in the ground. Typically, above ground pools are semi-permanent. One reason they’re more affordable is that you don’t have to dig for an inground pool and pour concrete or another material. However, you can choose to install a semi inground pool, which is a hybrid between the two.

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.