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Top-Rated Excavation pros in Clayton - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for EMC Property and Excavation
EMC Property and Excavation
4.6(
9
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Clayton, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1996

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Chris is the best contractor we have ever worked with. He removed my fathers harbor and kept us informed on progress daily. You could not ask for a more honest businessman. What he thought would only take a few days turned into many days, he never complained and we know he absorbed some of the extra cost. He and his team are the Best in the business! I would never hesitate to hire him and his ethics were outstanding. He worked hard and God bless him he got the job done .I would recommend him highly. You won't be dissapointed."
Response time2 days
17 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by87%of homeowners
Horton's Services, Inc.
New to Angi
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Clayton, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

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.

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Response time1 day
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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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.

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.

Digging a well can cost between $20 and $25,000, depending on your needs. If you’re looking to dig a well yourself, all you need is a shovel. If you’re looking to have a well drilled by a professional, you can expect to pay around $15 to $30 per foot. The total cost of drilling a well will average to $5,500.

There are many ways to cut through roots when digging, especially if your trencher doesn’t seem to be removing the roots. First, use a shovel to expose the roots. Then, use gardening shears to clear out smaller roots or a reciprocating saw to remove larger plant roots. If you plan on keeping the plant, avoid cutting any roots over 2 inches thick.

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.

The Clayton, NY homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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