The vegetable garden design was created by me. The gravel paths involved excavating and leveling, removal of soil, laying weed cloth and pea gravel. The French drain was created at the wet end of the garden as an extra deep pit under the gravel path. The retaining wall in the front yard is approximately 9 feet long, 2 feet high flanked by small pillars. I had purchased the gravel base and sand for under the wall and laid out the design of bricks. The crew excavated and installed the compacted base properly backfilling behind the wall, and custom cut the bricks to size gluing them in place. The finished wall is a handsome structure. It is a visual testament to the quality of their work. They are also handling the contracting of repairs to our deck. It is a separate project that has not been scheduled yet. We most heartily recommend Nature's Perspective Landscaping because they take the job seriously, clearly communicating the details of the project to their crews and do not desert the once the crews arrive. Mark came on site to ensure all was being done correctly. He is very pleasant, knowledgeable, respectful of the homeowners ideas and lends his expertise in their service not his ego. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/evanston/natures-perspective-landscaping-reviews-78736.htm"},"position":4},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"International Paving Inc","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Simon R."},"reviewBody":"Outstanding work and a pleasure to do business with! Initial estimate was based on a drive-by review or perhaps an online property search. I knew I needed much more extensive work, so I asked for an in-person review, which was arranged and completed quickly. My estimate did change significantly, but it was not unexpected. The revised estimate was specific and transparent, and based on the actual scope of the work. Estimates by International Paving are thorough, and easy to understand. There's some small details to pay attention to and calculations needed based on the options you chose. The Owner, Frank, answers his phone promptly. If he missed my call, he called me right away. Frank gave me straight answers. No BS or sales pressure. I felt like he cared about the end result like it was his own property. My project included removing the old driveway and installing a new base over the entire area. I asked for walkway areas to be left open down to the new base. These areas would be completed later (in a different material) by a different contractor. Frank had no problem with this. He understood what I wanted, and met the base requirements provided by the paver contractor. My final estimate included these specifics unique to my project. Crews arrived on-time on the scheduled day. Frank was on-site at the start of work, coordinating with the team lead and verifying final layout details with me before work started. Frank and the team-lead made sure the entire crew knew the project before the digging started. Excavation and base replacement took one day. Asphalt installation was delayed several days due to weather. Frank was up-front about this, no excuses or silliness, just a prompt reschedule. Quality, professional work by a local small business. No surprises, no games, no sketchiness. I'm very pleased I chose International Paving."},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/addison/international-paving-inc-reviews-6529904.htm"},"position":5},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"RST Engineering","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jerry C."},"reviewBody":"John was fantastic, provided great consultation, option, and a creative plan to help us with a new septic plan in a space challenged property. John consulted local officials and departments on our behalf to make sure whatever plan we being drawn up would be acceptable to the village and health departments. Additionally John was a big help providing reputable contractors to do the excavation work and installation. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/wonder-lake/rst-engineering-reviews-8694325.htm"},"position":6},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Pavestone Brick Paving Inc","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul W."},"reviewBody":"Mario was very competitive on pricing, and explained the bid very thorughly. Ive never had the pleasure of working with such a professional contractor. Throughout the entire process I received phone calls explaining where the permit was in process, dates of install, and finish times. The crew was the most clean and meticulous Ive ever seen with both their hardscaping and landscaping. Our patio is truly exceptional in design and craftsmanship being installed with a herringbone pattern and outlined in a soldier row. Mario helped us mix 3 different brick colors to get the chicago brick paver design we wanted. Mario and his crew also set 4 piers that extend below the frost line that I will be installing a pergola onto. The city inspector that came to my jobsite actually said that hes never seen such meticulous work. The backyard was uneven and would flood due to the natural swail being filled with dirt and mulch. Mario and his crew excavated a 5 footy 2 foot deep swail lined with memberane and river rock. pavestone also regraded the entire yard with several truckfuls of soil. The sod was fresh and laid to perfection. Mario also gave me turf care and watering instructions. The yard looks like a golf course and even with a 4 inch rain in 24 hrs. the yard was drained perfectly. Although Pavestone is recognized as a top tier paver design and install company, they should also be listed as tops in landscape design and install. I am happy to serve as a reference and will always call Mario with my landscape and hardscape needs. Both my wife and I have remodeled several homes inside and out and have NEVER worked with such an honest and high level artisan. Great job Pavestone we absolutely love our backyard!
"},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/des-plaines/pavestone-brick-paving-inc-reviews-4649360.htm"},"position":7},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Excel Plumbing","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Patricia M."},"reviewBody":"George, the first plumber who came out on Friday told me that he needed to have a camera and that he would come back tomorrow, Saturday, November 22, 2014. He came back as promised but unfortunately he was not able to get pass a certain area with the camera. He told me that I needed to be excavated. George said that he would see if he could get the excavators out the same day. When it rains it pours. They were not able to come out the same day, so they would have to come out on Sunday. They came out Sunday. Alex was the excavator who came out and was trying to do what he could to not burst into the walls or cut through the walls. So they would have to come back another day. They came back with a four man crew and voila I have plumbing and they saved me thousands of dollars. They cleaned up after themselves and let me know what additional work needed to be performed. I am just so pleased that the work is complete and that they saved me a ton of cash. Thank you Excel Plumbing!"},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/wheeling/excel-plumbing-reviews-2075179.htm"},"position":8},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Perma-Seal Basement Systems","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lindsey M."},"reviewBody":"We contacted PermaSeal for a quote on flood control system for sewer line in June after sewage backed up through the basement floor drain and flooded our finished basement for a 2nd time in 2 months. We were impressed with their knowledge and the price was competitive, so we signed the contract and paid the deposit for the work to be done in October. We realized this was a long time to wait, but their commitment to customer service and quality of work swayed us, so we put up with it. Unfortunately, as soon as they had our money and contract, the customer service abruptly ended. Our consultant never responds to our emails and voicemails unless several days have passed and several attempts have been made, and even then he rarely answer our questions. We've had scheduling issues from the very beginning: when they first came out in August to film the sewer line in order to determine the exact location for the work, we were told by office staff that the appointment would be done in either the AM or PM, which was ideal for arranging our personal work schedules. However, the actual appointment time we were given was 11-2, which could not be changed and necessitated me taking a whole day off for a 45 minute appointment. Then, when the actual installation was done in October, we confirmed that the indoor electrical work would be done on a specific day, but they could not provide us with a timeframe, so I again took the whole day off. The electrician did not show up til 5:10 pm, looked around a bit (while reeking of smoke and bringing these cancerous fumes inside our house), and concluded that he would need to come back another day because the work would take a few hours. After several calls and emails to multiple people at PermaSeal, we were miraculously able to get on the schedule 1st thing in the morning 2 days later, but even so, this required me to take an additional 1/2 day of work off in addition to the whole day I wasted waiting for the electrician to show. Currently we're dealing with another scheduling issue: the installation required the removal of two concrete sections of our front walkway, and when we were told this back in August, we elected to have PermaSeal replace them as part of the work rather than find a 3rd party to come in and pour 2 sections of sidewalk, which would be nearly impossible for such a small job. The foreman for the crew in October said that the ground/backfill would need about a month to settle post-excavation before new concrete could be laid - ok, that made sense. Of course, neither our consultant nor anyone else on staff was proactive about scheduling this work, and when a month had passed, we called to inquire when the sidewalk would be replaced and we found out that it had not been scheduled. The earliest date available is December 21: more than 5 weeks away, in the middle of cold winter when quality concrete work really cannot be done in below-freezing temps, and just to add to the frustration, we have out-of-state family members arriving that day for the holidays. Simply unacceptable! PermaSeal's a) lack of accountability, especially with regards to scheduling, and b) complete lack of response or care from their consultants have left us extremely dissatisfied. We just want this work to be 100% completed and have the frustration behind us! Several of our neighbors have had flood control systems installed over the past few months by other companies, and not only was the work 100% completed in a much shorter timeframe, but they were all completely satisfied with the entire customer experience, which is a lot more than we can say about our experience with PermaSeal. If given the chance to do it again, we would avoid PermaSeal at all costs. For the record, we have no problems to report from the actual work done so far, although we'll see what happens in the spring when the heavy thaws and rains return. The workers that came to do the sewer line scoping in August and the actual excavation and installation in October were all very polite and professional, with the exception of the aforementioned smoky electrician."},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/willowbrook/perma-seal-basement-systems-reviews-81300.htm"},"position":9},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Aqua City Plumbing & Sewer Inc","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Timothy C."},"reviewBody":"Chris (owner) and his right-hand man (Pablo) arrived on time and were very professional throughout the process, taking care to do as little damage as possible to walkways, lawn, landscaping not directly in the area needed to be excavated. This was no small task, since approximately 12 feet of earth depth needed to be excavated in order to reach the sewer line. Chris handled the permitting and oversaw the job from start to finish. It turned out that the crack was in a difficult location, directly underneath a window well. In addition, the crack was located at Y-joint where two lines meet with the sewer main which runs out to the city line. Despite the fact that these difficulties could not have been diagnosed by the initial video scan, Chris did not waver from his initial estimate. Very pleased with the work, would not hesitate to hire again, or to recommend to others."},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/il/addison/aqua-city-plumbing-and-sewer-inc-reviews-2336499.htm"},"position":10}]}
Excavation reviews from real Angi homeowners in Skokie, IL
Ricky and his crew did a good job on my project. They excavated ground and poured concreted for 2 new walkways in back of house. A few "snags" came up but they handled them professionally and finished the job in a timely manner!
Both jobs were expertly, courteously, and meticulously done. The crews were on time, efficient, and knowledgeable. Mark Watson, the representative who made and gave the estimates, came on site to check on the work and progress of the crews. The vegetable garden design was created by me. The...
Simon R.
5.0
11/2015
Outstanding work and a pleasure to do business with! Initial estimate was based on a drive-by review or perhaps an online property search. I knew I needed much more extensive work, so I asked for an in-person review, which was arranged and completed quickly. My estimate did change...
Mario was very competitive on pricing, and explained the bid very thorughly. Ive never had the pleasure of working with such a professional contractor. Throughout the entire process I received phone calls explaining where the permit was in process, dates of install, and finish times. The crew...
Patricia M.
5.0
11/2014
George, the first plumber who came out on Friday told me that he needed to have a camera and that he would come back tomorrow, Saturday, November 22, 2014. He came back as promised but unfortunately he was not able to get pass a certain area with the camera. He told me that I needed to be...
Chris (owner) and his right-hand man (Pablo) arrived on time and were very professional throughout the process, taking care to do as little damage as possible to walkways, lawn, landscaping not directly in the area needed to be excavated. This was no small task, since approximately 12 feet...
Lifeline Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is the winner of the Super Service Award each year since 2011, when we started our profile on Angies List. If you are looking for professional Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Heating or any type of HVAC services in the greater Chicago-land, area make the call to Lifeline Plumbing, Heating and Cooling! We put our customers first with everything we do. That is why we offer a comprehensive satisfaction guarantee on all the work we do, and on all the products we install. If you would like to speak with one of our experts and get scheduled for service, call us at (847) 468-0069.
"All in all good service but price too high"
Marian J on May 2025
Lifeline Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is the winner of the Super Service Award each year since 2011, when we started our profile on Angies List. If you are looking for professional Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Heating or any type of HVAC services in the greater Chicago-land, area make the call to Lifeline Plumbing, Heating and Cooling! We put our customers first with everything we do. That is why we offer a comprehensive satisfaction guarantee on all the work we do, and on all the products we install. If you would like to speak with one of our experts and get scheduled for service, call us at (847) 468-0069.
North Shore & Northwest Chicagoland Plumbing Experts. As a licensed, bonded and insured plumbing company, we take pride in our work. We are a dedicated and honest company, aiming to please every customer on every job. Additional DBA - Reliance Plumbing. Award winning.
"Excellent work. My expert Alex is so talented, and he explained everything that needed to be done, and the job was completed with impeccable timing and skill. He is also a great teacher. He showed me where an important cut off valve was located. Reliance Plumbing and especially Alex is now going to be my go-to for all plumbing projects. Thanks much."
Cynthia B on August 2024
North Shore & Northwest Chicagoland Plumbing Experts. As a licensed, bonded and insured plumbing company, we take pride in our work. We are a dedicated and honest company, aiming to please every customer on every job. Additional DBA - Reliance Plumbing. Award winning.
"Excellent work. My expert Alex is so talented, and he explained everything that needed to be done, and the job was completed with impeccable timing and skill. He is also a great teacher. He showed me where an important cut off valve was located. Reliance Plumbing and especially Alex is now going to be my go-to for all plumbing projects. Thanks much."
When you need an emergency plumber or a drain cleaner, call Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Your fast & reliable plumber can fix any plumbing problem, including sump pumps, toilet repair, faucet repair, faucet replacement, garbage disposals, water heaters, bathtubs, showers, and outside faucets. Roto-Rooter is best known for drain cleaning & sewer cleaning. We fix drain clogs, clogged toilets or sinks, blockage of main sewer lines, slow draining shower and bathtub drains, sewer lines and leaking or burst pipes. We also specialize in water damage restoration & water cleanup services. We can fix and clean up your flooded basement too. Roto-Rooter is a 24-hour plumber near you and provides emergency service.
"They had to come two extra times to fix the work that was done."
Jamal J on April 2025
When you need an emergency plumber or a drain cleaner, call Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Your fast & reliable plumber can fix any plumbing problem, including sump pumps, toilet repair, faucet repair, faucet replacement, garbage disposals, water heaters, bathtubs, showers, and outside faucets. Roto-Rooter is best known for drain cleaning & sewer cleaning. We fix drain clogs, clogged toilets or sinks, blockage of main sewer lines, slow draining shower and bathtub drains, sewer lines and leaking or burst pipes. We also specialize in water damage restoration & water cleanup services. We can fix and clean up your flooded basement too. Roto-Rooter is a 24-hour plumber near you and provides emergency service.
"They had to come two extra times to fix the work that was done."
Illinois sewer and plumbing is owned & operated by Mr Joe and family. We are a full plumbing and sewer repair service company that is licensed, bonded, and insured. We are fully committed to offering our customers honest, reliable, quality service, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Through dedication to our customers and our commitment to quality, we feel that we can offer you the best service in the industry. Free Estimates - Licensed, Bonded & Insured - Better Business Bureau Member A+ Rating - Owner operated.
"GREAT JOB! EXPEDIENT AND PRECISE!"
Nichole S on May 2025
Illinois sewer and plumbing is owned & operated by Mr Joe and family. We are a full plumbing and sewer repair service company that is licensed, bonded, and insured. We are fully committed to offering our customers honest, reliable, quality service, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Through dedication to our customers and our commitment to quality, we feel that we can offer you the best service in the industry. Free Estimates - Licensed, Bonded & Insured - Better Business Bureau Member A+ Rating - Owner operated.
Aqua Doctor is a family owned and operated business, We provide plumbing, sewer and basement waterproofing services. We pride ourselves in quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. We would love the opportunity to earn your business and be your lifetime plumbing and waterproofing specialist.
"Uncle Rob was efficient and personable! Job was straightforward and he walked me through what he was doing and the function of the various parts."
Andrea H on April 2025
Aqua Doctor is a family owned and operated business, We provide plumbing, sewer and basement waterproofing services. We pride ourselves in quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. We would love the opportunity to earn your business and be your lifetime plumbing and waterproofing specialist.
"Uncle Rob was efficient and personable! Job was straightforward and he walked me through what he was doing and the function of the various parts."
With 20 years of experience in industry, Buildmax is your industry expert in DuPage county. We pride ourselves on our extreme professionalism and attention to detail. Our customer satisfaction guarantee will assure you that we will not leave your property until you are completely satisfied with our work. Give us a call today & we look forward to working with you!
"Hasn’t started yet. But did hire"
Scott T on January 2024
With 20 years of experience in industry, Buildmax is your industry expert in DuPage county. We pride ourselves on our extreme professionalism and attention to detail. Our customer satisfaction guarantee will assure you that we will not leave your property until you are completely satisfied with our work. Give us a call today & we look forward to working with you!
All American Utility is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests and make their concerns the basis of our business
"He does pretty good work. He is a good guy and a perfectionist."
Bill L on March 2021
All American Utility is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests and make their concerns the basis of our business
"He does pretty good work. He is a good guy and a perfectionist."
Here at All Service Calls LLC, we pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all of our projects, no matter how big or small. We are experts in our trade and will always keep you educated on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!
"Timely and professional. Responsive and completed the job faster than expected with cleanup. "
Collin C on January 2025
Here at All Service Calls LLC, we pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all of our projects, no matter how big or small. We are experts in our trade and will always keep you educated on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!
"Timely and professional. Responsive and completed the job faster than expected with cleanup. "
Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Lombard provide the utmost in quality, professionalism and integrity to every customer. We tackle anything from the pesky drain clog to a full bathtub/shower install. Please give us a call today for a free quote.
"Professional job for less"
Terry H on August 2025
Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Lombard provide the utmost in quality, professionalism and integrity to every customer. We tackle anything from the pesky drain clog to a full bathtub/shower install. Please give us a call today for a free quote.
Unfortunately, some plumbing scenarios, like a broken sewer pipe repair, will require excavation to complete the job. Plumbing excavation costs range from $30 to $70per cubic foot. However, if you need additional trenching, expect to pay an extra $4 to $12per linear foot. Keep in mind that these costs are on top of the plumbing repair costs, and they don’t account for labor costs. Consult your excavation specialist to determine an accurate estimate for your job.
The average cost for pool excavation is $2,500. This cost can range from $450 to $4,500, depending on the pool shape and size, time of year, and any need to move buried utilities.
When excavating for your pool, you might have to move existing utilities. You can expect to pay an additional $15 to $25per linear foot to move gas lines. To move a septic system, it’ll cost an additional $2,000 to $20,000. A pool that is 10 feet by 12 feet averages $450 to excavate, and a 20-foot-by-40-foot pool averages $3,020.
The cost for residential excavation is $3,200 on average, ranging between $50 and $200per cubic yard. Total costs could range from $500 to $15,000, depending on the project type, yard size, and soil type.
When a project needs an excavator, the contractor will subcontract one as part of the larger project. If you hire an excavation specialist, you can expect to pay between $40 and $180per hour. When excavating, if you have soil with excessive rocks or clay deposits, expect an additional cost of $200 to $1,200.
Warm weather seasons like spring and summer are ideal times to excavate due to the ground being softer and easier to dig through. However, it is important to note that bad weather, like heavy blizzard conditions or torrential rainfall, can prolong the project length, increasing costs. That’s why it’s best to avoid excavating during winter or hurricane season, depending on your home’s location.
While completing an excavation project yourself is possible, we don’t recommend it. You’ll likely need to buy or rent the equipment necessary for the job. This equipment costs as $100per hour or $2,200 weekly, increasing by as much as 50% for larger jobs.
In addition, completing an excavating job yourself poses a safety risk. If proper marking hasn't occurred, you risk hitting buried cables and other critical piping, like gas and water lines. Additionally, if working with excavation equipment, you’ll need to steer clear of any overhead wires. Leaving this project to an excavating professional is best.
The Skokie, IL homeowners’ guide to excavation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to re-level your mobile home depends on your home’s location, size, and whether it needs extra support. Read more about the cost of leveling your mobile home.
Excavation costs $1,500 to $6,300 for most residential projects—but it depends on factors like the size of the area. This guide will help you plan a budget.
Trenching means digging a depression in the earth that’s longer than it is wide. Here’s what you need to know about trenching—including doing it safely.