Top-rated excavation pros.

Get matched with top excavation pros in Salem, OR

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your excavation project in Salem, OR?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY SALEM, OR HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.7
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon66
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Salem

Avatar for Eric's Quality Building, Inc.
Eric's Quality Building, Inc.
4.9(
43
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+1 more

Serving Salem, OR and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Had a retaining wall done? Eric was great in keeping me informed of all steps up to the very end and was easy to work with. His team did an outstanding job and the wall looks great. It is nice to have a company that shows pride in its work and cares about the customer. I highly recommend them."
 grape arbor done with rough cut material
New Deck
Stair and Fence
Portland ADU (framing siding roofing)
  grape arbor done with rough cut material

+122

4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for A-Kat Construction, LLC
A-Kat Construction, LLC
4.9(
13
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Salem, OR and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I highly recommend working with Akaty. I hired this company to perform excavation a low retaining wall and fire pit. They showed up on time listened to what I wanted they were the lowest bidder and the highest quality. Just what I wanted.. Give him a call !!!"
Lees fire pit
lees fire pjt
lees fire lit
Neds fire pit
neds fire pit

+13

Response time1 day
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Holmes Concrete & Excavation LLC
Holmes Concrete & Excavation LLC
5.0(
11
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Salem, OR and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Holmes Concrete & Excavation designed and installed a stamped, colored concrete walkway around 75% of our house. The walkway passed through our front and rear gardens and also covered the south end of our house where we keep our trash bins and air conditioner unit. The walkway was well designed and helped tie together the exterior of our house in a functional, aesthetically appealing way. James Holmes helped us choose a color for the concrete that matched the exterior of our house. Overall, the final product exceeded our expectations. James and his team were professional, timely, and did a great job communicating the stages of the project. We have 2 dogs and they also did a good job temporarily closing off a portion of our yard to allow the dogs to use the yard without it negatively impacting the project. We are very happy with the work and would highly recommend Holmes Concrete for a variety of concrete related work. We would definitely hire them again."
BLACK ITALIAN SLATE
BLACK ITALIAN SLATE
BROOMED PATIO
OVERALL VIEW
FRONT WALKWAY

+7

4 neighbors recently requested a quote
...
Showing 1-10 of 140
Excavating questions, answered by experts

Septic drain lines (or leach lines) are typically buried between 18 and 36 inches underground, and should be at least 6 inches below the surface. These pipes are perforated and surrounded by filtering materials like sand or gravel. Burying the lines at this depth helps minimize odors and allows bacteria and other biological processes in the soil to effectively treat the wastewater. Burying lines too close to the surface can cause issues unless the soil is very compact and stable.

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.

Yes, chipmunk holes may have two or more entrances. Chipmunks can create an entire network of burrows. Having multiple entrances makes it easier for them when trying to escape from a predator, such as a snake, or if an entrance collapses due to flooding. Each entrance leads to the nesting chamber underground, which is where the chipmunk spends the majority of its time sleeping.

Yes, trenchers can go through gravel. Gravel is made up of smaller, softer rocks that certain trenchers are able to cut through. Just be sure to use a rock wheel trencher or chain trencher, both of which are made to cut through rocky landscapes and gravel pathways without dulling the teeth or chain.

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 Salem, OR homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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