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TRUSTED BY SALEM, OR HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.7
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon65
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Salem

Avatar for FMD's Facility Services, LLC
FMD's Facility Services, LLC
4.8(
30
)

Serving Salem, OR and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"FMDs did an excellent job at a fair price. The owner Jesus came to give the estimate, did the job himself, and was in constant communication throughout the entire project. He even completed the job ahead of schedule. As a family business, his brother George and cousin David often came out and worked with the crew. We could not be happier. Well definitely hire them again!"
Corner sitting area
Tiled Tub
Cabinetry
Before - Tiled Tub
Cabinetry

+135

Response time7 hrs
Response rate87%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for A-Kat Construction, LLC
A-Kat Construction, LLC
4.9(
13
)

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 S4 Excavation
S4 Excavation
4.6(
13
)

Serving Salem, OR and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Jerid and his crew did an amazing job on our site. From clearing the old out and prepping for the new home. Everything was done with professionalism. Jerid always had some amazing ideas and suggestions. No questions were stupid questions. Between Jerid and Brad there was an answer. We would definitely hire S4 again for our projects. We absolutely love how everything turned out. We really can't say enough about Jerid, Brad, Ty and Daydra!!"
Bridge & Driveway Repair
Bridge & Driveway Repair
Response time6 hrs
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by66%of homeowners
Avatar for Holmes Concrete & Excavation LLC
Holmes Concrete & Excavation LLC
5.0(
9
)

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
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.

To locate an underground downspout, you should start by identifying where the above ground gutter drains. Look for an entry point, such as a pipe or elbow leading into the ground. Follow the surface path for signs like depressions, landscaping disruptions, or wet areas after rain. You can use a metal detector or plumber’s snake to trace the pipe underground. For deeper pipes, a professional locator tool or camera inspection may be necessary. Visual markers or utility maps can also guide the search.

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 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 rules for trenching and excavation include setting up and following safety protocols, learning how to use tools and machines properly, and ensuring there is a safe exit for all workers. Keep heavy equipment and materials away from the edge of the hole or trench. Call the 811 dig line before starting any excavation or trenching project to ensure you don’t hit any electrical or gas lines.

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.