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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Cortland, NY

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Cortland, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Excavation companies in Cortland, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

Last update on August 28, 2026

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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
157 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by52%of homeowners
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Avatar for WoodRock Construction
WoodRock Construction
5.0(
4
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Matt did a full septic installation on a new build house. He did a great job with the system, and gave flatter and more yard space after the system was put in. The grading and shaping of the land was superb"
Residential concrete
Residential concrete
Residential concrete
Residential concrete
Residential concrete

+16

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
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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
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Avatar for MODERN BUILDING & CONTRACTING
MODERN BUILDING & CONTRACTING
3.7(
3
)
Excavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Cortland, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Mike and his team did an amazing job tearing down a couple barns on my property. They handled everything. Cleaned up great. My husband and I are beyond satisfied. 10 out of 10 highly recommend!"
10 neighbors recently requested a quote
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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
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

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).

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 bush up by the roots is the most natural DIY method for removing a bush stump. Start by identifying the shrub type and revealing its roots. Cut the shrub to its base and loosen the soil, ensuring no utility lines are nearby. Optionally, treat the base with herbicide, then dig around the roots and cut a circle around the shrub using various tools. Dig a trench, cut the base of the root ball, and finally fill the hole to prevent regrowth. This thorough process ensures complete removal without damaging surrounding areas.

Tree experts don’t advise against digging through tree roots, but instead encourage caution and consultation with a local arborist to make sure you don’t damage the tree’s structure or interrupt its water or nutrient intake. An arborist can recommend specific practices when digging and help prune the roots or dig a trench for utilities with a tool that can remove soil without touching the tree’s roots.

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.

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