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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 time1 day
17 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by87%of homeowners
Shannon Adams
5.0(
3
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing

Serving Clayton, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

"Shannon was nice enough to fit my job in on short notice. He was great with communication beforehand, showed up on time, was very knowledgeable and made sure he knew exactly what we wanted and then delivered! He was reasonably priced, worked quickly, was friendly and helped me with guidance to plan some other projects. Highly recommended!!!"
36 neighbors recently requested a quote
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

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.

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.

Concrete blocks are the cheapest way to base a shed. However, the space in between allows critters to go under, burrow, and even damage your shed’s frame. For a more pest-proof option, consider building a shed base with gravel or paver stones. Both options are fairly affordable and easy enough for a DIY project. For gravel, you can build a wooden frame to contain the loose material.

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.

In most areas, you will need a permit for excavation work, even for projects that only involve grading or yard leveling. Permit requirements depend on your local government and the scope of the project, but they are especially common for significant digging or work that could affect utilities or public property. These permits help protect the local topography and prevent drainage issues. An experienced excavation company will typically know whether permits are needed and can often handle the process of pulling and closing them for you. You can also verify permit requirements by contacting your local building department and describing your project.

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.