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Avatar for Miller Concrete and Excavation
Miller Concrete and Excavation
5.0(
28
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingLandscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"????? Great Experience with Miller Concrete & Excavation We hired Miller Concrete & Excavation for a residential concrete project and couldn?t be happier with the results. Ian and his crew were professional, on time, and did excellent work. The concrete looks great and the job site was left clean. If you want quality work from a contractor you can trust, I highly recommend Miller Concrete & Excavation / Miller Construction Group."
Concrete
142 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by52%of homeowners
Avatar for MOVINGLLC LLC
MOVINGLLC LLC
5.0(
2
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

Hello! My name is Huseni, and I offer reliable moving and junk removal services in the Syracuse area. Whether you?re moving to a new place, clearing out unwanted items, or getting rid of old furniture, I?m here to make the process quick and stress-free. I show up on time, work efficiently, and handle every job with care and respect for your space and belongings. Customer satisfaction is my priority, and I?m always ready to help you get the job done right. I look forward to working with you!

3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Lucas Excavation
3.0(
2
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Lucas Excavation did a great job. I had a five star experience using this company. Jeff was very easy to work with. All aspects of project were done to my exact specifications."
Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
CNY Landscapes and Hardscape
5.0(
2
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"It a was a pleasure working with Jeff. He responded quickly and then came to assess the job soon after. He suggested very good options such as laying down decorative stones instead mulch. He scheduled us in and was here to do the work later. Trees were trimmed and bushes and he removed a few small trees that were not doing well. At his suggestion, we he put decorative stones instead of mulch on a large area around our house. We were delighted with his work and the finished result greatly enhances our property. Our neighbours complimented us on the look. We would definitely recommend Jeff and his company!"
Response time3 hrs
Response rate99%
11 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Lawton Land Management
Lawton Land Management
5.0(
1
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

At Lawton Land Management, we specialize in professional forestry mulching and land clearing services for residential, commercial, agricultural, and recreational properties. Whether you're reclaiming overgrown land, clearing brush and small trees, creating trails, improving hunting property, or preparing a site for future use, we have the equipment and experience to get the job done right.\nAs a veteran-owned and operated business, we take pride in providing dependable service, honest communication, and quality workmanship on every project. Our forestry mulching process efficiently clears unwanted vegetation while leaving behind a natural layer of mulch, eliminating the need for burning or large debris piles.\n\n

Pre Removal
Post removal
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

The best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

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. 

Trenchers can dig holes as narrow as 4 inches or as wide as 4 feet. Check the specifications of the trencher you rent or buy to determine how wide it will cut into the landscape. Better yet, let the excavation company know how wide you’d like the trench to be, and they can help you choose the right trencher for the job (or do it for you).

Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most sprinkler lines are buried between four and 12 inches underground. On the other hand, water mains usually sit between one and 3 feet below ground. However, they can go even deeper in cold climates to prevent freezing.

It takes one hour to dig a 10-foot trench by hand. Use a trenching shovel with a sharp tip and a long head. Plan for more time if your soil is heavy or rocky. Consider renting a trencher if you’re digging a long or deep trench or if you have challenging soil or terrain. 

The Cortland, NY homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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