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Avatar for D & R Pro Service Inc.
D & R Pro Service Inc.
4.5(
30
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Astoria, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Customers say: True professional

"They did an incredible job, very professional, respectful, clean, and thorough. It was the best experience we had with a repair company. The person who came was very accommodating and pleasant. Great company, I will definitely be contacting you again for any other repair services!"
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+288

Response time2 days
Recommended by37%of homeowners
Avatar for RHP Unlimited
RHP Unlimited
4.3(
20
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Astoria, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I hired Mike for several jobs and 3 out of 4 were done very well. He apologized for the one job that did not go well and made amends for it, which I appreciated. He really wants to do right by his clients and as such, stays in touch with them from start to finish."
Response time12 hrs
Response rate93%
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Belinquete
Belinquete
5.0(
6
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+1 more

Serving Astoria, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I found David on Angie list and he got back to me immediately. I explained what I needed done and I had an estimate within3 hours. He is very affordable and was able to come the following week. They arrived on time. Very efficient, made sure everything was cleaned up before they left. I will be hiring him again for another project that I will be doing. Definitely hire him, you won't regretting it. You can see in the pictures what a great job he did. Thank you again David"
Response time1 day
47 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by50%of homeowners
Avatar for Neil's Construction, Inc.
Neil's Construction, Inc.
5.0(
2
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing

Serving Astoria, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I highly recommend Neil's Construction. The company is easy to communicate with. The reconstructional repairs were excellent. I like the quality and craftsmanship that was applied to the task. I will definitely hire Neil's Construction again and again."
23 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for OUR TEMENOS, LLC
OUR TEMENOS, LLC
5.0(
2
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Astoria, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Rosemarie and her team did an incredible job transforming our backyard. Previously, we had issues with drainage and our yard was basically a muddy, unusable space. We had previously gotten estimates from other companies and were disappointed with the cookie cutter approach we received. By contrast, Rosemarie came out to visit us, patiently listened to what we were dealing with and what our goals were for the yard, and came up with a vision that exceeded our expectations. Her team executed on that vision at a very high level. They worked efficiently and carefully and were respectful of our property and neighbors. We have been so pleased with the results. The installation just wrapped up a few weeks ago, but we have already used our yard much more frequently. The plants that went in are thriving and the drainage issues that we had previously dealt with have gone away. Throughout the process, Rosemarie and her team provided a high level of transparency, responsiveness and communication. They clearly take pride in their work (and their enthusiasm for native plants is infectious!) and we were consistently impressed by their expertise, resourcefulness and vision. We highly, highly recommend Our Temenos."
From the door
Response time12 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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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.

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.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

As a general rule, the protected area should be about 1½ times as wide as the canopy of the tree’s leaves. This digging measurement can vary by tree species and the age of the tree. Of course, that can be a lot of fencing for larger trees, which is why our first step is about making difficult decisions on which trees to save.

Preparation involves site assessment, clearing debris, grading surfaces, and compacting soil to support stable construction.

The Astoria, NY homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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