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Most residential basements are 8 to 10 feet deep. You can dig deeper depending on building codes, but it does become more difficult. You’ll likely need to install stronger foundation walls and additional supports to handle the increased load. Depending on the water table, you may also need a water management system. Clay soil can support a deeper foundation than sandy soil. A structural engineer will be able to tell you the maximum, feasible depth.

There are several methods to hollow out a tree stump, and the best one depends on your tools, experience, and priorities. Common methods include using a chisel and hammer, a chainsaw, or burning.

• Chisel and Hammer: This is often considered the easiest approach for those with limited tools or experience, though it is the most time-consuming.

• Chainsaw: Using a chainsaw is the fastest method, but it comes with significant safety risks, especially for inexperienced users.

• Burning: This can be an effective method, but it is not recommended unless you can first drill holes into the stump. Without holes, the stump will be difficult to light and may not burn completely through.

A power drill with at least a ⅜-inch diameter bit can make the job quicker and easier, regardless of the primary method. While you can use a chisel or chainsaw without a drill, it will require more time and effort. Always wear protective goggles and thick gloves, as splinters are an inevitable risk.

Directional drilling is complex and requires training to use the advanced machinery. It can be challenging to monitor the position of the drill since there’s no direct line of sight. Directional drilling can also be more expensive with a cost of $10 to $30 per linear foot compared to $5 to $12 per linear foot for trenching. 

After you successfully remove your boulder, you have a few options for what to do to get rid of it. You can rent a dumpster if your yard has many boulders or if you’re planning a larger project. You can even save the boulder and reuse it elsewhere on your property to save on landscaping costs. A few ideas include using the boulder as a natural, abstract statue, breaking it into smaller pieces to line your garden bed, or offering it to a landscaping company that could reuse it for another project.