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Trenching is not the same as boring. Boring uses a drill to make a tunnel for underground utilities, but trenching involves digging with an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. Boring is more precise and expensive, and it’s best for installing utilities underneath buildings, roads, and bodies of water. Trenching is simpler but can cause more disruption to landscaping and ecosystems.

Trenches are 12 to 24 inches deep and 8 inches wide. However, the right depth for your trench will depend on the nature of your project. For example, if you’re digging a trench as part of a French drain installation, it should be 18 inches deep. An excavation professional can explain how deep your trench should be.

There is no standard depth, but typically, septic tanks are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underneath the earth’s surface. There are a few factors that will determine your tank’s depth, including the height of your bedrock, the distance between your home and the tank, and the depth of your main sewer line.

There are several different factors that influence how long it takes to excavate. For a foundation, it could take anywhere from three days to three weeks. It can take even longer if you face weather-related delays or an inaccessible site that’s riddled with boulders and rough terrain. It may also take longer if you have clay soil, which is more difficult to dig.