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TRUSTED BY TAFTON, PA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon21
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Tafton

JMH Hands for Hire, LLC
5.0(
2
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Tafton, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2014

Free estimates

"On a Sunday we had a substantial leak from the bathroom upstairs into the dining room downstairs at our house. We called a company who referred us to JMH HANDS FOR HIRE. They arrived in a couple hours to repair the broken pipe. Since then they are working on other projects. They very hardworking, professional, always respond in a timely manner and reasonable with pricing. We have been fortunate to have found them. Trust is everything."
Response time7 hrs
Response rate97%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
DMS Excavation and Retaining Wall
5.0(
3
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Tafton, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We hired Dave to remove some ballast and dirt from a staged testing area we had set up to test switch machines here at Amtrak. They arrived on time and completed the job ahead of schedule despite some unforeseen obstacles. Highly recommend."
Response time3 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

Hardscaping often requires preparation of the ground in the area where the feature is being installed. This can include digging, compacting, and leveling the soil, ensuring adequate drainage, and removing any existing plants. The extent of preparation needed will depend on the type and size of the hardscaping feature being installed.

Hard soil could be a sign of overly dry dirt, either from poor drainage or drought. It's important to test the nutrient levels, density, and drainage capacity of your soil to see if it's absorbing water properly. Begin by adding a light layer of water and observing how long the soil retains moisture. If you experience a good deal of runoff, you may need to aerate your lawn, apply a wetting agent, or hire a professional for a closer look.

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 type of soil to build on is a mixture of sand and clay, known as loam soil. Loam soil has the best combination of these soil types to build a foundation on. The clay particles help with water retention, so it won’t erode like sandy soil might, and the sandy particles help with drainage, so you won’t see unsafe soil expansion or have an increased risk of leaks from water sitting against your foundation.

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 Tafton, PA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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