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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Vandalia, IL

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, 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 January 09, 2026

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Avatar for Buzzard Excavation

Buzzard Excavation

5.00(
6
)
•Approved Pro

Buzzard Excavation

5.00(
6
)
•Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
5 years of experience
Free onsite estimate

We have the experience as we are a 3-generation company, and we are committed to providing quality workmanship and superior customer service on all our applications. We at Buzzard Excavating LLC strive to maintain our reputation as a high quality, very service-oriented company with our main focus being customer satisfaction. We Offer: Demolition, Land Clearing, Tree Removal, Pond cleanout, Driveway services, and much much more!!

"Great job done for the work needed. 3 Generation Family Business. Excellent work ethics. Good price for the job done. Highly recommended. "

SULTAN R on June 2025

We have the experience as we are a 3-generation company, and we are committed to providing quality workmanship and superior customer service on all our applications. We at Buzzard Excavating LLC strive to maintain our reputation as a high quality, very service-oriented company with our main focus being customer satisfaction. We Offer: Demolition, Land Clearing, Tree Removal, Pond cleanout, Driveway services, and much much more!!

"Great job done for the work needed. 3 Generation Family Business. Excellent work ethics. Good price for the job done. Highly recommended. "

SULTAN R on June 2025

AB excavation

New on AngiNew on Angi
•Approved Pro

AB excavation

New on AngiNew on Angi
•Approved Pro

AB Excavation is a locally owned and operated excavation and land clearing company based in Highland, Illinois. We specialize in land clearing, grading, and site preparation for residential and small commercial projects. Our work includes small lot clearing, new home site prep, demolition and haul-off, pond and water feature excavation, and culvert installation. We 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. We serve Highland and the surrounding areas and work closely with homeowners, builders, and property owners to get projects completed safely and on schedule.

AB Excavation is a locally owned and operated excavation and land clearing company based in Highland, Illinois. We specialize in land clearing, grading, and site preparation for residential and small commercial projects. Our work includes small lot clearing, new home site prep, demolition and haul-off, pond and water feature excavation, and culvert installation. We 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. We serve Highland and the surrounding areas and work closely with homeowners, builders, and property owners to get projects completed safely and on schedule.

Avatar for Bushwhacker Excavating and Forestry Management

Bushwhacker Excavating and Forestry Management

1.00(
1
)
•Approved Pro

Bushwhacker Excavating and Forestry Management

1.00(
1
)
•Approved Pro
33 years of experience
Free onsite estimate

We are 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. 30 + years experience!

"Nasty man. Did half the job then quit. Berated his boy the whole day on the job then ran and quit when he screwed up twice. Tore the hell up out of my yard. Run from this horrible person."

Paul B on August 2025

We are 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. 30 + years experience!

"Nasty man. Did half the job then quit. Berated his boy the whole day on the job then ran and quit when he screwed up twice. Tore the hell up out of my yard. Run from this horrible person."

Paul B on August 2025

Avatar for McDonagh & Sons Plumbing & Sewer Inc

McDonagh & Sons Plumbing & Sewer Inc

4.86(
51
)

McDonagh & Sons Plumbing & Sewer Inc

4.86(
51
)
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 96% of Angi customers
Recommended by 96% of HomeAdvisor customers

Mcdonagh & sons plumbing & sewer takes great pride with 15 years of experience! We are honest, reliable, genuine and trustworthy! We are constantly referred by our customers because of our great service and dedication to meet their needs! We offer free estimates! "anything plumbing, anything sewer, any time". Ertain areas are to subject a service fee *prices may vary. Discounts can not be combined, unless noted. Award winning. Additional dba - mcdonagh & sons plumbing and sewer.

Mcdonagh & sons plumbing & sewer takes great pride with 15 years of experience! We are honest, reliable, genuine and trustworthy! We are constantly referred by our customers because of our great service and dedication to meet their needs! We offer free estimates! "anything plumbing, anything sewer, any time". Ertain areas are to subject a service fee *prices may vary. Discounts can not be combined, unless noted. Award winning. Additional dba - mcdonagh & sons plumbing and sewer.

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Excavating questions, answered by experts

It takes two to three hours to trench 100 feet with a mechanical trencher or 10 to 12 hours if digging with a shovel. The total time to dig a trench depends on the depth, width, soil type, terrain, trencher type, and your level of experience. Digging in clay or rocky soil takes longer than soft ground.  

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.

Your contractor should handle dust control during the project. It's best to speak with your contractor beforehand to check if they plan to cover your furniture, protect your vents, or use fans to redirect dust. Eliminating drywall dust is a particularly large challenge during construction, so always take this into account during your planning phase.

This depends on your location. Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep. People in colder climates will have deeper sewer lines than people in warmer climates due to the dangers of the frost line and freezing pipes. Permits are required for all aspects of septic system installation, so the city should have the building plans for your system, which will tell you how deep your lines are.

Slab foundations are more affordable than crawl spaces because they require minimal excavation, as the slab sits directly on the ground or on footers that only sink a few feet into the ground. Crawl spaces require excavation of the entire footprint of the home to several feet below the surface. Not only does that mean higher labor costs, but more materials are necessary for the concrete foundation walls.

The Vandalia, 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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