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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

No, a ditch isn’t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that’s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that’s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don’t get filled back in with dirt after they’re dug.

Excavation and grading are both generally necessary for designing your foundation, and leveling the ground where your foundation will go. These steps can also prepare the area by removing vegetation and anything else that could interfere with your home’s foundation.

How deep your septic system needs to be into the ground depends on several factors. In extremely cold environments, the tank needs to rest below the maximum frost line, which can be up to six or eight feet deep. The standard burying depth for most systems is between a few inches and four feet below ground level. Depth can also depend on the slope of the landscaping and other property variables. 

Yes. A metal detector is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find your septic tank. However, metal detectors can be too expensive (costing upward of $300 in some cases), and not everyone has a metal detector just lying around. If that’s the case for you, you can also take a long metal rod and poke it into the ground at regular intervals until you hit something—likely your septic tank lid.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

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.