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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
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Excavating FAQs, 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.

To locate an underground downspout, you should start by identifying where the above ground gutter drains. Look for an entry point, such as a pipe or elbow leading into the ground. Follow the surface path for signs like depressions, landscaping disruptions, or wet areas after rain. You can use a metal detector or plumber’s snake to trace the pipe underground. For deeper pipes, a professional locator tool or camera inspection may be necessary. Visual markers or utility maps can also guide the search.

If you don’t wish to dig it out and convert it into a finished basement, you can still encapsulate your crawl space to protect it from damage for an average cost of $5,500. Finishing a crawl space beyond this isn’t really worthwhile, as the low ceilings mean you won’t be able to use the area as living space.

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.

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.

The Merritt, MI homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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