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Top-Rated Excavation pros in Merritt - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Knoch & Sons
Knoch & Sons
5.0(
2
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Merritt, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1996

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Upon moving into a new house, we needed to modify our existing pole barn with taller doors to accommodate our travel trailer. The garage door company highly recommended Knoch and Sons to do the construction. Randy and Tina Knoch responded promptly to our call and devised a plan to accomplish the job. Not only did they modify one of the front garage doors but they also added a new opening in the back of the barn for an exit door. The work was done promptly and professionally. The barn looks like it was never touched! The install is perfect! We would highly recommend their work for any construction job!"
Knoch & Sons
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
MiHandyman
4.7(
16
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Merritt, MI and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Ben did multiple projects for me getting my retirement home ready to move in. He is much more than a handyman. He remodeled my bathroom, installed hot water tank. washer and dryer, made and hung new mantle, painting, installed garage doors and opener, plus many odd jobs including cutting up 2 fallen trees. I highly recommend him."
Response time7 hrs
Response rate89%
11 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating FAQs, answered by experts

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.

Yes, you can install a trench drain if you already have concrete in your yard or garden. While it can complicate some aspects of the job and slightly run up the cost, it is doable. Residential trench drains can be easily retrofitted to outdoor areas with concrete without having to remove excessive amounts of your patio, pool area, or decorative walkways.

Whether you grind or dig up and remove your tree stump depends on your landscaping goals. Using a stump grinder leaves the root system in place for it to decompose over time, whereas digging up the tree stump removes the roots and the stump. Overall, stump grinding is a far simpler process since you won’t need to deal with the roots. Stump removal will make your yard look like a demolition site, but you’ll have an easier time replanting in the same place as your former tree.

No, you typically cannot use metal detectors to find your sewer line. Most sewer lines are made of non-metallic materials such as PVC, clay, or cast iron, which are not detectable by standard metal detectors. Metal detectors are designed to locate metallic objects, so they won't be effective for identifying the path of a non-metallic sewer line. To locate your sewer line accurately, it's best to use other methods.

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 Merritt, MI homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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