Top-rated excavation pros.

Get matched with top excavation pros in Oakland, MI

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your excavation project in Oakland, MI?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY OAKLAND, MI HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.3
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon25
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Oakland

Avatar for Xtreme Excavation & Grading
Xtreme Excavation & Grading
5.0(
6
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingLandscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+2 more

Serving Oakland, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Xtreme Excavation and Grading was fantastic, my sewer pipe was backing up so i ran a camera and come to find out it was packed full with roots and waste, so I googled up some companies and got a couple quotes but the I called and spoke with Brandon (the owner of Xtreme) and him and his guys didn’t waste any time!! He told me the price (which was extremely reasonable nearly half as much as the other 2 places i called) came out the next day and fixed my issue, Very friendly and knowledgeable and they did great work!! I will definitely be keeping them in mind for future needs"
7 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for New Image Lawn
New Image Lawn
5.0(
15
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Oakland, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"They came out and ground stumps from removed arborvitae, placed new weed barrier and border, replaced lava rock and planted new bushes. Were fast, friendly, professional and I am already getting compliments on how nice it looks."
Previous Work
Previous Work
Previous Work
Previous Work
Previous Work

+33

Response time2 days
Recommended by92%of homeowners
Avatar for Monty Home Solutions L.L.C.
Monty Home Solutions L.L.C.
4.6(
26
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Oakland, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Great and prompt service. We hired them for a yard cleanup of a densely wooded area. Very responsive, showed up on time, friendly great value. We will definitely use Monty Home Solutions again. Highly recommend!"
Living Room Before
Kitchen & Living Room Before
Hallway Before
Bedroom Before
Guest Bathroom Before

+9

Response time3 days
Recommended by84%of homeowners
All Services Management, LLC
5.0(
32
)
Excavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For BusinessLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Oakland, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"All Services Management was first class right from the start. They were super fast on coming out to spec the job and give us a written estimate. The job was approved and the whole crew was out on time and on the promised date within a week of first meeting Sean, the manager. They were quick, clean, polite, and knew what they were doing. They were considerate of our neighbors by keeping the debris field in check, didnâ t blast music, never swore, and didnâ t block driveways. They cleaned up the street and driveway with brooms and a blower as if nothing had even been under construction at all. The very big job was done in a day and a half. Faster then we expected by far! We even modified it on the 2nd morning and they jumped on the change without a pause in the action. I would highly recommend this company!"
Response time7 hrs
Response rate90%
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for North Star Landscaping Enterprises, Inc.
North Star Landscaping Enterprises, Inc.
3.7(
70
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+2 more

Serving Oakland, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1992

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Came to quote the job when he said he would, then came and did the job the day he said. Jason did a great job and went over and above, not only removing the concrete but filling the areas in with dirt, planting seed and covering it with straw. Cleaned up the area and the street after he finished and hauled the concrete away."
Response time7 hrs
15 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by88%of homeowners
...
Showing 1-10 of 214
Excavating questions, 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.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

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.

If you have a broken sprinkler pipe underground, there will be some signs you can easily spot to locate it and take action. These include leaks, water spouts, flooding, consistently damp areas on your lawn, low water pressure, and grass around the sprinkler head that’s taller and darker than anywhere else in the yard. 

If there are no obvious signs of a broken pipe, you can use tools such as water leak mics, leak noise loggers, audio devices that record leaks, and acoustic testing links. 

Broken pipes can lead to uneven watering, plant damage, and higher utility bills. The longer you wait to fix them the more the repair cost may be.

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.

The Oakland, MI homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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