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Avatar for Double M Industries LLC
Double M Industries LLC
5.0(
4
)

Serving Tompkins, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I hired Double M to build a million gallon liquid manure storage pit for my farm. The project took 5 months and I was amazed at the work they did. This was a very complicated project. They kept me informed almost every day on what they were doing and if I was satisfied with the work. If I had a concern, they worked with me to resolve the issue. I highly recommend them and plan on working with them in the future."
Driveways
Driveways
Driveways
ST Landscaping and Excavating
3.4(
5
)

Serving Tompkins, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

ST Landscaping and Excavating, proudly serves its customers with pride and integrity. We are locally owned and operated and pay attention to the details that matter most to you. These are only some of the many things that set us apart from the rest. Give us a call today! We do not accept credit cards, we take business checks, or cash only.

My jobs
My jobs
My jobs
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by66%of homeowners
Avatar for Arbor Edge
Arbor Edge
5.0(
1
)

Serving Tompkins, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We invite you to experience a tradition of customer satisfaction that will exceed your greatest expectations. Our professionalism and quality workmanship will accurately reflect your taste and lifestyle. From conception to completion, we work with you until the job is done. We are ethical, honest, and easy to communicate with. \n\nCall us today you'll be pleased you did. Thank you!\n

13 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Lawn lovers landscaping
Lawn lovers landscaping
New to Angi

Serving Tompkins, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

I'm Darren I have 10 years of construction experience I'm OSHA certified I offer many services including lawn and property maintenance, tree service, junk removal, excavating and more. I service Scranton Pa, wilkesbarre Pa, Tunkhannock PA, and surrounding areas and also Binghamton NY vestal NY, and owego NY, \n

4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Horton's Services, Inc.
New to Angi

Serving Tompkins, 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.

Rail
Rail
Rail
Rail
Response time1 day
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Finish Line Contractors
Finish Line Contractors
5.0(
13
)

Serving Tompkins, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

"Peter was very responsive to my needs and the weather conditions. He completed the job in record time. His customer service and work quality were second to none. He delivered, spread, and graded the topsoil as I specified."
Response time4 hrs
Response rate95%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Showing 1-10 of 51
Excavating questions, answered by experts

The digging depth will depend on the size of the trencher you use. Even smaller units can dig up to 4 feet deep, which is plenty for a DIY job. However, much larger trenchers can reach a depth of 18 feet and are better used by a team of pro contractors, not a single DIYer. As with all home improvement projects, use the right tool for the job and proceed with caution.

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.

To drill a shallow well, you may be able to use a drive well point. This is a tapered point that is driven into the ground. A drill bit at the end of PVC pipe may be another option to consider. A lot of the cost depends on what tools are available near you.

Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.

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 Tompkins, NY homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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