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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon64
    Verified excavation services reviews

Top-Rated Excavation pros in Chapel Hill - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Hutchins Landscape & Lawn Maintenance LLC
Hutchins Landscape & Lawn Maintenance LLC
4.7(
130
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Jon and his team installed a front yard irrigation system for me and tilled and graded my entire yard. Jon and his team delivered high quality results! I had a lot of questions and Jon was attentive to all of them. I will 100% hire them again for my landscaping needs!"
BEFORE: boring, small patio.
AFTER: larger, raised, rounded, beautiful patio.
BEFORE: boring, crowded, builder's special patio...
AFTER patio, seat wall, and retaining wall.
Fresh sod with newly landscaped natural area and pine straw.

+37

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
M&D Property Solutions
4.5(
23
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"It has worked out so well for me and my family. And yeah, please do it all day. Please let me know if I can help. Please let me know when I get home, and I will be home in the next few days. Please let me know when I can get you. Please let me know when I get back. Please let me know if I need anything else. Please let me know if I can get you a text or text me or text or call me when I can."
Master bedroom
Master bedroom
Front hall
Living area
Entry

+10

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Clearly Leveled Up LLC
Clearly Leveled Up LLC
5.0(
9
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+1 more

Serving Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Clearly Leveled Up was great. They arrived on time and started working right away. The workers, Mike and BJ were very professional. They were courteous and very easy to converse with. They did exactly what we asked for and we love it !!! Wish we could have sent the photos of the work but the system keeps telling us the file was too large."
pond
pond
pond
pond
pond

+10

2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Pro Serv Enterprises
Pro Serv Enterprises
5.0(
7
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We take great pride in 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. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job. \n

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Paradise Backyards
Paradise Backyards
5.0(
5
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

At Paradise Backyards, we take pride in delivering high-quality craftsmanship, honest communication, and a stress-free experience from start to finish. Whether you're looking for a new patio, retaining wall, landscape installation, or a complete outdoor transformation, our goal is to build an outdoor space that adds lasting beauty and value to your home.\nWe'd love the opportunity to learn more about your project and provide a free, no-obligation estimate. Simply reply with a few details about what you're looking to have done, and we'll be in touch to schedule a convenient time. We are veteran owned and operated

Sealant and polymeric
Sealant and polymeric
Wooden Fence
Wooden Fence
Retaining wall

+3

6 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating FAQs, answered by experts

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.

While you can save some money by digging your own pool, you may end up paying more in construction equipment rental fees in the long run. You could, however, focus your DIY energies on lowering the cost of leveling your lawn for your pool or filling in surrounding landscaping after construction.

We recommend removing the stump, and grinding is a popular way to do it. You can also dig out small stumps or stumps that have fully decayed instead of grinding them. However, don’t try using acids or fire for killing a tree stump, which is a fire hazard and illegal in many areas.

Leaving the stump alone invites eventual problems, including attracting termites, mold, and fungi.

Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.

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.

The Chapel Hill, NC homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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