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TRUSTED BY GRAND RAPIDS, MI HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon14
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Grand Rapids

Avatar for Diggity Dirt
Diggity Dirt
5.0(
12
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Grand Rapids, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Would not hire anyone else. Diggity Dirt is top notch. You will not be disappointed they will go out of their way to deliver you the product you want and when you need it."
Response time12 hrs
Response rate89%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for I-Cut Lawncare
I-Cut Lawncare
5.0(
11
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Grand Rapids, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I Cut Lawncare did a great job putting in the retaining wall. They put in so much time and effort into making sure it turned out perfect, everything looked clean and even. The crew worked hard, stayed on time, and kept the area tidy. They made sure the wall was sturdy and looked good from every angle. Now it holds rock (along with the under drain) perfectly and makes the yard look way better. You can tell it was built right and will last a long time."
Project Photos
Response time2 days
Response rate100%
14 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

How deep your septic system needs to be into the ground depends on several factors. In extremely cold environments, the tank needs to rest below the maximum frost line, which can be up to six or eight feet deep. The standard burying depth for most systems is between a few inches and four feet below ground level. Depth can also depend on the slope of the landscaping and other property variables. 

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.

Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.

Excavations take a few days or up to a few weeks. The time it takes to excavate an area depends on the size of the area, the type of soil, the type of excavator, and even the time of year, since winter can make digging up the ground more difficult.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

The Grand Rapids, MI homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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