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TRUSTED BY CAMBRIDGE, MA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon46
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Cambridge

Avatar for SEAN FARRELL EXCAVATION INC
SEAN FARRELL EXCAVATION INC
4.6(
84
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+2 more

Serving Cambridge, MA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I had an excellent experience with Sean Farrell Excavation when they replaced my water pipe. From start to finish, the team was incredibly professional—fast, efficient, and clearly knew exactly what they were doing. They completed the job without any issues, and what really stood out was how clean they left everything afterward. They were also genuinely kind and respectful of my property, which made a stressful repair feel easy and worry-free. It’s not always easy to find contractors you can trust, but this is definitely one I’d recommend without hesitation."
Basement dig out
Equipment ready
Typical sewer pipe installation ready for backfill
Foundation dig out - ready for forms and concrete pour.
Additional Photos

+3

Response time2 days
Response rate100%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Elmer's Landscaping and Construction
Elmer's Landscaping and Construction
4.9(
76
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Cambridge, MA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

As experts in residential lawn care and ground maintenance, Elmer's Landscaping and Construction, will exceed your expectations. With years of experience manicuring lawns and power washing exterior surfaces, we understand the value of quality, professionalism and responsiveness. We offer competitive pricing and look forward to serving you.

Profile Picture
35 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by85%of homeowners
Pro Cut Landscape & Design
4.9(
191
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Cambridge, MA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Met Bob the owner for work to be done, was very sociable. Made suggestions which i agreed on. He knows his work. Showed up on time and finished. Cleaned up like he was never there. Removed existing lawn and replaced with loam ,seed, and fertilizer. Job well done 👍"
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by74%of homeowners
Avatar for Madison Floral & Landscape Solutions
Madison Floral & Landscape Solutions
5.0(
22
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Cambridge, MA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"You hear these horror stories of people who take your money and get back to you whenever they feel like it, but this was the complete opposite. They gave me a clear breakdown of costs, told me when they were going to start, and when they were going to be done, and did exactly what they said they would do at exactly the budget they said they'd do it at. I honestly had no idea how they were going to demolish a shed, move a couple of trees, set up a retaining wall, and re-create my front and back lawns in, like, a week. But they did, and it turned out wonderfully."
Madison Floral
Madison Floral
Madison Floral
Madison Floral
Madison Floral

+10

Response time12 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for StoneWall Landscapes
StoneWall Landscapes
4.8(
87
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Cambridge, MA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"What an amazing experience we had working with Jerry at StoneWall Landscapes! Jerry is an excellent communicator and problem solver, both in the quote phase as well as the execution phase of the project. As a non-expert in the paving and drainage departments, I have some rough ideas of what needs to get done, but Jerry made it into a reality with lots of great options and their pros and cons. We love our new permeable parking space and privacy fence, as well as our renovated drywell and the solving of a drainage problem caused by some new construction last year. Throughout the project Jerry provided excellent communication and workmanship. Jerry was on-site very frequently and personally handled the excavation. I think that great independent businesses often come down to one great individual; Jerry is that guy. We would work with Jerry again in a heartbeat."
Seat Bench & Firepit
Masonry Construction
patio
Masonry Construction
Natural Stone  Patio with Enclosed BBQ Grill

+70

Response time2 days
Recommended by93%of homeowners
Avatar for Evertrust Landscaping & Tree Care
Evertrust Landscaping & Tree Care
4.8(
17
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Cambridge, MA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Customers say: True professional

"Minor came and gave a free estimate and when he returned a few days later, he was prompt and very professional. When the job was complete he removed all the debris and trucked it away and he left it cleaner than it was before."
Additional Photos
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Additional Photos

+41

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Showing 1-10 of 327
Excavating questions, answered by experts

A trench that is less than 5 feet deep often doesn't require a protective system. Most residential trenches will not go this deep (the typical residential drainage trench is just 18 inches deep). In the event that an excavator needs to dig more than 5 feet beneath the surface, a protective system is required unless the excavation is in entirely stable rock.

It’s possible to transplant trees as tall as 50 feet when an experienced tree planting service uses the right equipment. However, a tree with a trunk larger than two or three inches in diameter needs to be handled by a professional in order to yield successful transplanting results. Consulting a tree planting professional is the best way to tell if your large tree can be safely transplanted.

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.

Hardscaping often requires preparation of the ground in the area where the feature is being installed. This can include digging, compacting, and leveling the soil, ensuring adequate drainage, and removing any existing plants. The extent of preparation needed will depend on the type and size of the hardscaping feature being installed.

Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep, with a common average depth between 18 and 30 inches. The exact depth depends on local factors like climate and soil type. In colder regions, pipes must be buried deeper (below the frost line) to prevent freezing, sometimes as deep as 8 feet. The digging depth can also impact the cost of sewer line replacement. To find the specific depth for your property, you can check the building plans for your system, which should be on file with your city or local sanitation department since permits are required for installation.

The Cambridge, MA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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