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Top-Rated Excavation pros in Fort Drum - Updated Nov 2026

Shannon Adams
5.0(
4
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing

Serving Fort Drum, 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!!!"
37 neighbors recently requested a quote
Horton's Services, Inc.
New to Angi
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Fort Drum, 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 walk-behind trencher can cut through roots as long as they’re not too thick, making a project much easier than digging with a shovel and other hand tools. Assess your terrain and the number of trees in the surrounding area to determine if a walk-behind trencher will ease the job. Digging a trench by hand is much more time-consuming and labor-intensive. 

Because decomposed granite is a durable material, a crushed rock or gravel base is optional as long as the DG is properly installed and compacted. However, installing a base is a good idea because it will ensure proper drainage and stability and act as a weed suppressant (although you may still occasionally have to pull weeds). Installing an adequate base can also increase the durability of driveways and walkways. If you forego the paver base or gravel underneath, line the area with landscaping fabric to avoid weeds.

There are several different factors that influence how long it takes to excavate. For a foundation, it could take anywhere from three days to three weeks. It can take even longer if you face weather-related delays or an inaccessible site that’s riddled with boulders and rough terrain. It may also take longer if you have clay soil, which is more difficult to dig.

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.

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.

The Fort Drum, NY homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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