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GCA Excavating & Land Clearing
5.0(
9
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing+2 more

Serving Potsdam, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"We purchased a property that had just had a new septic tank installed by another company. GCA fixed their mess and did a fantastic job!"
Response time30 mins
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Drain Cleaners Sewer & Septic Professionals of Canton, Syracuse and Utica
3.5(
36
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Potsdam, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We made initial phone contact and scheduled cleanout for the following Monday. I realized that was Labor Day and called them back to see if that appointment was a mistake. They realized it was and said they would contact me back to reschedule. They never returned my repeated phone calls to reschedule. I got the impression they did not want to be bothered with my septic cleanout."
Response time7 hrs
Recommended by92%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

Trenching is a specific kind of digging. Trenching means digging a depression in the earth that’s deeper than it is wide, often with heavy machinery. Digging refers to any kind of removal of earth in order to create a human-made depression, hole, or cut in the earth’s surface. You can dig with big tools or even with just a hand shovel.

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 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.

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.

If you don’t wish to dig it out and convert it into a finished basement, you can still encapsulate your crawl space to protect it from damage for an average cost of $5,500. Finishing a crawl space beyond this isn’t really worthwhile, as the low ceilings mean you won’t be able to use the area as living space.

The Potsdam, NY homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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