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TRUSTED BY CHARLESTON, SC HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.7
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon19
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Charleston

Low Country Landscaping and Contracting
5.0(
113
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Charleston, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Hunter and his team of pros did a super job converting the back yard of my SC home into an awesome area to entertain and relax. First, they magically and meticulously removed garbage, old cinder blocks and other debris. They efficiently and professionally demolished an older concrete slab and then proceeded to lay the foundation and custom pavers in a herringbone pattern. Project was topped off with a beautiful stone fire pit. I couldn't be happier I will definitely use Hunter for future projects. 5 of 5."
Response time3 hrs
Response rate98%
6 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Carolina Land and Debris LLC
Carolina Land and Debris LLC
5.0(
12
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business

Serving Charleston, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

"I highly recommend Carolina Land and Debris! They did an outstanding job removing leaves from my property. They took a considerable amount of time, never cut corners and honored the estimate they originally gave me. They had to work around bad weather and were professional and thorough from start to finish. When they were done, my yard looked better than it has in years."
Debris Removal
Debris Removal
Dirt & Debris Removal
Dirt & Debris Removal
Landscape Carpentry

+2

39 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for A&A Land Clearing and Grading
A&A Land Clearing and Grading
4.8(
13
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Charleston, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"A&A clearing & grading excavated an area for our handicap parking for our church. The workmanship was great, they understood our need and completed the task in a week. Highly recommend"
Land clearing
Land clearing
Land clearing
Land clearing
Land clearing

+10

Response time12 hrs
Response rate98%
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Greenlee Construction LLC
Greenlee Construction LLC
5.0(
5
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Charleston, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Trevor Greenlee and Greenlee Construction are exceptional. From our first conversation, Trevor demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to helping us understand our options. He invested significant time and effort, always communicating clearly, answering questions thoroughly, and providing thoughtful guidance. His honesty, responsiveness, and attention to detail made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We truly appreciated his dedication, integrity, and the care he put into every step. I would highly recommend Trevor to anyone looking for a contractor who is knowledgeable, reliable, and genuinely values his clients."
Response time1 day
Response rate100%
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

Drilled wells have a pipe sticking up that’s covered in a plastic or metal casing. On the other hand, a dug well will look like a big hole in the ground and is more similar to what you’d see in a fantasy or Western movie. If you want to be sure, contact the city for documentation on your property’s construction and excavation history. 

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.

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.

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.

Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most sprinkler lines are buried between four and 12 inches underground. On the other hand, water mains usually sit between one and 3 feet below ground. However, they can go even deeper in cold climates to prevent freezing.

The Charleston, SC homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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