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Avatar for Acadia Construction
Acadia Construction
4.7(
14
)

Serving Mount Desert, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship, and complete customer satisfaction, from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large, or small the job. Call us today!

Gallery
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Shaw Excavation & Earthwork, LLC
Shaw Excavation & Earthwork, LLC
5.0(
4
)

Serving Mount Desert, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Highly recommend Shaw Excavation and Earthwork! We hired Shaw Excavation to do site prep, grading and sloping for a large 40ft x 20ft garage. Shane is very professional and extremely knowledgeable and all for very reasonable rate. We are so pleased and satisfied with our entire experience from start to finish with Shaw Excavation. Job well done!"
Start of Demolition
House Demo After
House Lot After
Finished clearing
Before Lot

+1

Response time1 day
Response rate90%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Tree Scouts LLC
Tree Scouts LLC
5.0(
1
)

Serving Mount Desert, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We are a family-oriented veteran owned and operated company with years of experience in hazardous tree removal, pruning, land clearing and excavation. Our sole purpose at this company is to provide you with the very best and professional experience without sacrificing quality in our craft. We are currently available to provide free quotes and complete jobs throughout the State of Maine. We look forward to hearing from you!

Response time2 days
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for MARINER PROPERTY SERVICES LLC
MARINER PROPERTY SERVICES LLC
5.0(
2
)

Serving Mount Desert, ME and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Our mission at MARINER PROPERTY SERVICES LLC is to continue the growth of our business by doing right by all of our clients. We love seeing that one of a kind smile on a home owners face at the end of a project! MARINER PROPERTY SERVICES LLC stacks up with the competition and surpasses it with competitive prices, second to none workmanship and a prompt/responsive team! We give you quality that you can measure, and a finished product that will enhance your home forever. Call us today!

New door
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12 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

Most residential basements are 8 to 10 feet deep. You can dig deeper depending on building codes, but it does become more difficult. You’ll likely need to install stronger foundation walls and additional supports to handle the increased load. Depending on the water table, you may also need a water management system. Clay soil can support a deeper foundation than sandy soil. A structural engineer will be able to tell you the maximum, feasible depth.

A perc test can take anywhere from one to eight hours to complete. The total time depends on factors like the amount of excavation required, the depth and width of the holes, and whether multiple test holes are needed. For a single hole, the process of filling it with water and monitoring the drainage rate usually takes less than an hour. Professionals can often complete the entire test in a single day. While it's possible to get results the same day, some companies may take a few days to provide the official report.

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.

The digging depth will depend on the size of the trencher you use. Even smaller units can dig up to 4 feet deep, which is plenty for a DIY job. However, much larger trenchers can reach a depth of 18 feet and are better used by a team of pro contractors, not a single DIYer. As with all home improvement projects, use the right tool for the job and proceed with caution.

The best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

The Mount Desert, ME homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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