Top-rated excavation pros.

Get matched with top excavation pros in Vandalia, IL

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your excavation project in Vandalia, IL?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

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 07, 2026

Find Excavation pros in Vandalia

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

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

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 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.

Showing 1-10 of 36
Excavating questions, answered by experts

The best type of soil to build on is a mixture of sand and clay, known as loam soil. Loam soil has the best combination of these soil types to build a foundation on. The clay particles help with water retention, so it won’t erode like sandy soil might, and the sandy particles help with drainage, so you won’t see unsafe soil expansion or have an increased risk of leaks from water sitting against your foundation.

A perc test takes an average of around two hours, but it can range from one hour up to around six hours. Perc tests that require wider or deeper holes and those that require multiple holes dug throughout your property will take longer because there’s more excavation involved. The actual filling of the hole and monitoring to gauge the rate of percolation should take under an hour per hole.

Trenching is not the same as boring. Boring uses a drill to make a tunnel for underground utilities, but trenching involves digging with an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. Boring is more precise and expensive, and it’s best for installing utilities underneath buildings, roads, and bodies of water. Trenching is simpler but can cause more disruption to landscaping and ecosystems.

Most municipalities require excavation permits for any significant digging, especially if the excavation affects utilities or public property. However, permits for excavation depend on your local government and the scope of the project. Hire an experienced contractor for your excavation job so that they can be the ones to deal with permitting, not you. 

There are several different factors that influence how long it takes to excavate. For a foundation, it could take anywhere from three days to three weeks. It can take even longer if you face weather-related delays or an inaccessible site that’s riddled with boulders and rough terrain. It may also take longer if you have clay soil, which is more difficult to dig.

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.

See all articles

What do you need done? We’ll find top pros.
  • 🌱 "Mow a small front yard"
  • 🛠 "Fix a leaking pipe under the sink"
  • 🏠 "Repair shingles on an asphalt roof"