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Top-Rated Excavation pros in Darby - Updated Nov 2026

Tri-State Brother's Professional Cleaning, Inc.
New to Angi
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Darby, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2011

Free estimates

We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of quality cleaning and janitorial services. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!

Response time1 day
Avatar for ES Excavation
ES Excavation
5.0(
4
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Darby, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mike is terrific to work with. He and his crew are clean, efficient, and reasonably priced. They helped us to backfill and grade a very wet area and build a boulder retaining wall to divert a stream through our woods. The end result is much more attractive and effective at managing the storm water. Mike was helpful in providing guidance and assistance to ensure the project was done right the first time. We would use him again and recommend him to others in a heartbeat."
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Recommended by75%of homeowners
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Excavating FAQs, answered by experts

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.

How deep your septic system needs to be into the ground depends on several factors. In extremely cold environments, the tank needs to rest below the maximum frost line, which can be up to six or eight feet deep. The standard burying depth for most systems is between a few inches and four feet below ground level. Depth can also depend on the slope of the landscaping and other property variables. 

The average cost of excavation is approximately $3,200, with typical projects ranging from $500 to $15,000. Depending on the contractor, you may be charged between $50 and $200 per cubic yard or an hourly rate of $40 to $180 for an excavation specialist. The total cost is influenced by several factors, including the project size, the amount of soil to be removed, and the soil's condition. Hard soil, tree roots, or excessive rocks and clay can increase the price, potentially adding $200 to $1,200 to the final bill. Other factors that can drive up costs include the presence of nearby structures that complicate the work or tight spaces that require manual excavation instead of heavy machinery.

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.

The Darby, PA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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