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TRUSTED BY PORTAGE, MI HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon15
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Portage

Avatar for Wise Choice Lawn Care LLC
Wise Choice Lawn Care LLC
4.3(
16
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Portage, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2014

Offers commercial services

Customers say: True professional

"I reached out to Wise Choice to have my old fence and driveway gate replaced and they absolutely delivered! I was very impressed with the level of customer service and the quality of the work performed. They've helped me with multiple projects this summer from fencing to roofing and I would gladly hire them again for my next project!"
Gallery
Gallery
Recommended by37%of homeowners
Complete Pools & Construction
4.1(
9
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Portage, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

"We have used Complete Pools & Construction for more than 15 years for roofing, building structural work, including grading and complete garage builds. There work is alway 100% and trustworthy. Can recommend them for all your needs."
Response time4 hrs
Response rate100%
21 neighbors recently requested a quote
A-N-L Construction LLC
5.0(
2
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Portage, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

We take great pride our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

Response time10 mins
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Precision land, Hardscape and lawn care
Precision land, Hardscape and lawn care
5.0(
1
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Portage, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

At Precision Land Hardscape & Lawn Care, we believe every property deserves expert craftsmanship, honest service, and attention to detail. Whether you’re looking to transform your outdoor space with a beautiful new patio, retaining wall, landscape installation, or simply keep your lawn looking its best, we’re committed to delivering results you’ll be proud of.\n\nWe treat every project—large or small—as if it were our own property. Our goal is to provide dependable service, clear communication, and quality workmanship that exceeds your expectations.\n\nThank you for considering Precision Land Hardscape & Lawn Care. We look forward to earning your trust and helping bring your vision to life.\n\nYour satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

18 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

It takes one hour to dig a 10-foot trench by hand. Use a trenching shovel with a sharp tip and a long head. Plan for more time if your soil is heavy or rocky. Consider renting a trencher if you’re digging a long or deep trench or if you have challenging soil or terrain. 

The average cost of excavation is approximately $3,200, with typical projects ranging from $500 to $15,000. Depending on the contractor, you may be charged between $50 and $200 per cubic yard or an hourly rate of $40 to $180 for an excavation specialist. The total cost is influenced by several factors, including the project size, the amount of soil to be removed, and the soil's condition. Hard soil, tree roots, or excessive rocks and clay can increase the price, potentially adding $200 to $1,200 to the final bill. Other factors that can drive up costs include the presence of nearby structures that complicate the work or tight spaces that require manual excavation instead of heavy machinery.

The best way to protect tree roots is to avoid the roots entirely by excavating outside the root radius of the tree. For nearby projects, it’s a good idea to construct a temporary retaining wall. But that’s not always possible, depending on the project and the root system. In these cases, consider using alternative equipment like an auger to tunnel under the ground.

Remember, tree roots can damage nearby cement foundations as they grow. If a tree is close enough to interfere with large excavations, it may be better to remove the tree than risk future problems.

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.

The Portage, MI homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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