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Avatar for LT Excavating
LT Excavating
4.5(
8
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Lincoln, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Luke and Trent are exemplary and knowledgeable professionals. Their quote was very reasonable. They showed up at the exact time and day the promised. These men are courteous and very professional. They had a few obstacles to maneuver around, as they were digging out the hole for the egress window. They did it with great skill and precision. My wife and I are grateful we found this company to do our work. 5 STARS +++"
Response time5 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by75%of homeowners
Applegate Excavating & Sewer Service
5.0(
2
)
Excavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Lincoln, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We are a locally owned and operated company with over 20 years of industry experience. We value honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer a variety of excavation and sewer services that are customizable to each individual project. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!

5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Eddington Builds
Eddington Builds
5.0(
1
)
Excavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Lincoln, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

From the first scoop of dirt to the final nail in the deck, Eddington Builds is your single source for professional property upgrades. We combine heavy-duty excavation power with expert craftsmanship to handle every phase of your outdoor project. Whether you need land cleared and leveled, a new concrete driveway or patio poured, or a custom-built deck and fence to finish the space, our team of specialized pros delivers.

5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Reinhart Grounds Maintenance, Inc.
Reinhart Grounds Maintenance, Inc.
2.8(
2
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Lincoln, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1986

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Reinhart Grounds Maintenance, Inc., is one of the largest full service commercial landscape companies in the central Illinois region. We have been able to meet the needs of any size customer by using the most advanced equipment, latest techniques and highly trained staff. Please call us today for a quote!

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Smock Excavating
Smock Excavating
5.0(
4
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing

Serving Lincoln, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Very professional business, on time, excellent job at Excavating and others things I needed done, tore out the barn, floor, and re-grated it, and poured concrete back, very dependable and excellent work, I would recommend them for any excavating work or other stuff needs to be done, Very dependable"
Recommended by100%of homeowners
K and D Excavating
4.1(
8
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Lincoln, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Overall I was very impressed with K and D Excavating, they did a great job start to finish. Very professional, great work ethic and always on time. I will continue to use them in the future and would highly recommend them."
Response time3 days
Recommended by85%of homeowners
Showing 1-10 of 37
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.

Yes. A metal detector is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find your septic tank. However, metal detectors can be too expensive (costing upward of $300 in some cases), and not everyone has a metal detector just lying around. If that’s the case for you, you can also take a long metal rod and poke it into the ground at regular intervals until you hit something—likely your septic tank lid.

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. 

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.

The Lincoln, IL homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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