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TRUSTED BY LAKE FOREST, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.4
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon42
    Verified excavation services reviews

Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Lake Forest, IL

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Lake Forest, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Excavation companies in Lake Forest, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

Last update on February 01, 2026

Find Excavation pros in Lake Forest

Avatar for JK Company, LLC
JK Company, LLC
5.0(
106
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"JK Company did an outstanding job managing and installing our new Patio including a built in Grill. Tino has a full understanding of the process and pitfalls to avoid. They went above and beyond with any challenges encountered. The crew was courteous and true craftmen. I highly recommend JK Company! Marc (Buffalo Grove, IL)"
Patio
Drive
Patio
Patio
Entryway

+11

Response time1 day
43 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by94%of homeowners
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Avatar for Efrains Brick Paving and Landscaping
Efrains Brick Paving and Landscaping
5.0(
21
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Overall Landscaping projects I have hired them for are outstanding. And I've hired them for over 20 Years all our patio and brick paver jobs are still holding up. Couldn't be more pleased with the work and professionalism."
Walkway
Walkway
Patio
Patio
Patio

+3

2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by86%of homeowners
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Avatar for Greenworks Landscape
Greenworks Landscape
4.8(
45
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2011

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Excellent work with catastrophic tree damage due to huge windstormâ ¦ Hard and thorough workers!"
Brickwork
Brickwork
Brickwork
Response time1 day
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by97%of homeowners
Request Quote
Avatar for Illinois Sewer And Drain Inc
Illinois Sewer And Drain Inc
4.9(
20
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We are new homeowners and had a hole in our septic tank made of concrete block, which was sending wastewater into the foundation/basement of the home. It was my first time using Angie's List, and I would recommend Illinois Sewer and Drain to anyone. Joe and his team of experts solved our issue immediately at an affordable price. They even went above and beyond to install a sump pump in our basement to help with the rain water. Quality work!!"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+23

Response time9 hrs
Recommended by65%of homeowners
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Avatar for Greentrail Landscape & Design, Inc.
Greentrail Landscape & Design, Inc.
4.3(
81
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Jose and his crew completely rebuilt our stone patio and wall that was falling apart, and surrounded it with redone landscaping. We are thrilled with the result. Jose has an eye for design. He makes good suggestions and sees possibilities we did not. He used high quality materials and plants and was careful not to damage the surrounding area. I highly recommend him."
Response time2 days
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by93%of homeowners
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Avatar for Unique Landscaping Service
Unique Landscaping Service
4.3(
143
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I had old timber walls removed & new ones installed. New plantiings, trees and mulch. All the workmen that Flirian & Ernin brought to my job worked very hard to give us a beautiful finished job. I would hire them again."
.
KIDS PLAYGROUND AREA
AFTER
PLANTING DESIGNS
Hardscape Projects

+452

Response time8 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by95%of homeowners
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Avatar for Visionary Landscape's Design
Visionary Landscape's Design
4.4(
114
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Very friendly and great service. Definitely hiring them again for more work at my new home."
Brick & Hardscape
Brick & Hardscape
Brick & Hardscape
Brick & Hardscape
Brick & Hardscape

+15

Response time3 days
11 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by94%of homeowners
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Avatar for Hernandez Bro's Landscaping
Hernandez Bro's Landscaping
4.2(
28
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They did a superb job it was very stress free and Mariela was very helpful setting up the whole process. They did the job while I was at work because I have a very busy schedule so it was very convenient for me because I cannot work from home. Will definitely hire them again!"
Our work
WALK WAY
Our work
Our work
Our work

+3

Response time10 hrs
Response rate96%
9 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Avatar for Toro Total Construction LLC
Toro Total Construction LLC
4.5(
22
)

Serving Lake Forest, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"They did a great job, no complaints. I didnâ t notice anything messed but they did point out minor scraps that occurred. I honestly couldnâ t tell anything was wrong but I guess to their professional opinion they had to touch it up lol. Great work but nobodies perfect 4.5 stars"
Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Showing 1-10 of 190
Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

There is no standard depth for burying a septic tank; they are typically buried anywhere from 4 inches to 4 feet underground. The final depth depends on several factors, including the depth of your main sewer line, the height of the bedrock, soil type, local regulations, and the property's landscape. If you plan to grow grass or plants over the tank, a depth of at least 4 to 6 inches is recommended. Deeper tanks can be more difficult to locate, but a septic professional can help find it for you.

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.

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 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 Lake Forest, IL homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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

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