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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Lake, MI

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Lake, MI 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 Lake, MI 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 May 12, 2026

Find Excavation pros in Lake

Avatar for Northern Ground Services
Northern Ground Services
New to Angi

Serving Lake, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Northern Ground Services has become a staple of professionalism and quality work in Michigan for years. With decades of experience, there is no job too large or small. Call today to schedule an appointment!

Response time4 days
9 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Avatar for NRE Excavating
NRE Excavating
4.9(
14
)

Serving Lake, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Very knowledgeable. Very hardworking. Workers like this are not easy to find. I was extremely pleased after having been in the landscape business myself for 22 years they did it exactly as I pictured. Very hard to find someone who will do this type of work correctly."
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by69%of homeowners
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Avatar for NRE Excavating
NRE Excavating
4.1(
14
)

Serving Lake, MI and surrounding areas

"This was a first time excavation project for me. Duane and I worked back and forth with texts. He made a visit to the site and gave me day. Day of was as described and things looked great when he was done. I asked him to come back to do more and within two weeks everything was accomplished and it looks great. Thanks guys."
Digging out the basement of the house to put debris in.
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+3

Recommended by76%of homeowners
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Avatar for Mid Michigan Excavation LLC
Mid Michigan Excavation LLC
4.5(
4
)

Serving Lake, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mid michigan excavation takes pride in there work. They cleared 10 acres of land and brought in 7 yards of stone for my driveway. I'm very pleased with the work that was done and was achieved in a timely manner."
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+7

Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Martin Land Improvement, Inc.
5.0(
1
)

Serving Lake, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 1980

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

I provide quality & fair priced Excavation Service throughout Northern & Central Michigan. Licensed, Insured, and 40 years of professional experience. I like to help Landowners, Homeowners & Small Businesses with all their Site Preparation needs. If you need prep for a new home site, demo of an old building, land clearing, a septic system or have a special project; call for free consultation & pricing and give us an opportunity to meet your budget needs.

Recommended by100%of homeowners
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MidWest Dirt Work's
4.3(
8
)

Serving Lake, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

"I was left high and dry by another contractor. I contacted homeadvisor on Sunday morning. I was immediately called by Midwest Dirt Work's. Larry said he would come the next day. He actually came and did the work!!!!! I was so tired of waiting for people to show up and getting stressed. I definitely recommend Dirt Works. I will definitely use them again when the need arises. Larry was excellent and did a great job! Thanks so much!! Lyla"
Response time1 day
Recommended by85%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

No, a ditch isn’t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that’s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that’s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don’t get filled back in with dirt after they’re dug.

A walk-behind trencher can cut through roots as long as they’re not too thick, making a project much easier than digging with a shovel and other hand tools. Assess your terrain and the number of trees in the surrounding area to determine if a walk-behind trencher will ease the job. Digging a trench by hand is much more time-consuming and labor-intensive. 

If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.

There are several methods to hollow out a tree stump, and the best one depends on your tools, experience, and priorities. Common methods include using a chisel and hammer, a chainsaw, or burning.

  • Chisel and Hammer: This is often considered the easiest approach for those with limited tools or experience, though it is the most time-consuming.

  • Chainsaw: Using a chainsaw is the fastest method, but it comes with significant safety risks, especially for inexperienced users.

  • Burning: This can be an effective method, but it is not recommended unless you can first drill holes into the stump. Without holes, the stump will be difficult to light and may not burn completely through.

A power drill with at least a ⅜-inch diameter bit can make the job quicker and easier, regardless of the primary method. While you can use a chisel or chainsaw without a drill, it will require more time and effort. Always wear protective goggles and thick gloves, as splinters are an inevitable risk.

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 Lake, MI 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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