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TRUSTED BY THORNTON, PA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.9
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon40
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Thornton

Avatar for Fabiano's Construction
Fabiano's Construction
4.8(
76
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing

Serving Thornton, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I highly recommend Fabiano's Construction. Our experience with him was fantastic from beginning to end. The project was to restore and replace the exterior window frames of our 1830 Trinity. The previous owners had installed new windows on the inside but left the old ones outside for beauty. Many of these old windows were completely rotten at the bottom, barely holding the small panes of glass together. We got three estimates. One builder wanted to replace the old windows with a second set of new ones. Another was going to patch them up with wood filler. Fabiano was the only one who was willing to actually restore them, using green wood for the parts that were beyond salvaging. It was precision carpentry work requiring problem-solving ingenuity. The new frames and sills are green wood plus Azek (PVC), so they should last forever. Although more major restoration was necessary than foreseen, Fabiano and his crew—his son Will and assistant Simon—still finished the job in the predicted time. They were careful, focused, hard-working, and also really nice, honest people. It was a pleasure to meet them, and the result is a stunning improvement to our house both inside and out. Fabiano is responsive and friendly, an expert who takes pride in his work. Incredibly, his price was the lowest the three. We plan to hire him for another project."
decks
decks
decks
decks
decks

+6

Response time4 days
Response rate100%
6 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for TerravationPro
TerravationPro
5.0(
6
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+1 more

Serving Thornton, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We hired Terravation Pro to complete major regrading work on our yard to address long-standing water diversion and drainage issues—and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough, Max (the owner) was the definition of professionalism: courteous, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain his plan in detail and made thoughtful recommendations tailored to our property’s unique challenges. The quality of the work exceeded every expectation. Max completed the job himself, showing an incredible level of care and precision. He managed to preserve much of our existing landscaping, which was no small feat, and he prioritized safety at every stage. His attention to detail and commitment to doing things right the first time truly set him apart. Max showed up exactly when he said he would and charged us a very fair price - wouldn’t hesitate to use again and recommend!"
After
After
Before
After
My jobs

+15

Response time11 hrs
Response rate100%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Davis Home Remodel and Flips
Davis Home Remodel and Flips
5.0(
6
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Thornton, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We hired the Davis remodeling company in June to rid our property of a tremendous amount of yard debris. Larnell was quick to respond and came out promptly for an estimate. He did an amazing job, which was not easy on an extremely hot day! Estimate was reasonable and would definitely recommend! He is also a very nice and professional person!"
Response time4 hrs
Response rate100%
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

Yes, an excavation company is the best option for land grading and yard leveling. General landscapers might be able to tackle these projects, but an excavation company will do a better job because they’re used to operating the necessary heavy machinery. Landscapers might opt to do the work manually, which takes much longer and could cost you more in labor fees. Finally, excavation companies will understand local regulations and know when you need permits to legalize the work, while a landscaper might not.

It takes one hour to dig a 10-foot trench by hand. Use a trenching shovel with a sharp tip and a long head. Plan for more time if your soil is heavy or rocky. Consider renting a trencher if you’re digging a long or deep trench or if you have challenging soil or terrain. 

A perc test can take anywhere from one to eight hours to complete. The total time depends on factors like the amount of excavation required, the depth and width of the holes, and whether multiple test holes are needed. For a single hole, the process of filling it with water and monitoring the drainage rate usually takes less than an hour. Professionals can often complete the entire test in a single day. While it's possible to get results the same day, some companies may take a few days to provide the official report.

There is no standard depth for burying a septic tank; they are typically buried anywhere from 4 inches to 4 feet underground. The final depth depends on several factors, including the depth of your main sewer line, the height of the bedrock, soil type, local regulations, and the property's landscape. If you plan to grow grass or plants over the tank, a depth of at least 4 to 6 inches is recommended. Deeper tanks can be more difficult to locate, but a septic professional can help find it for you.

The Thornton, PA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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