Is it better to dig a trench by hand or machine?

• <div><p>It all depends on the scope of the project. A trencher can certainly save time and energy, but you might not need to dig that deep in the first place. Aside from the depth of the trench, the quality of the soil matters. If it’s light, soft soil, you might try a shovel first. However, if the soil is rocky and hard or there are obstructions in it, like tree roots, a machine trencher might be the better option.</p></div>

How deep are water lines buried?

• <div><p>Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-deep-are-sprinkler-lines.htm">sprinkler lines are buried</a> 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.</p></div>

Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

Where do I take the boulder once it’s removed?

• <div><p>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 <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-landscaping-cost.htm">landscaping costs</a>. 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.</p></div>

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Q: What do I do if my soil is too hard?

• <div><p>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. </p></div>

Q: Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less&mdash;between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you&rsquo;re not adding new finished square footage, you won&rsquo;t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Boones Mill, VA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Boones Mill, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Excavation companies in Boones Mill, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Excavation needs.

Last update on December 06, 2025

Reviewed in June 2025
I recently hired jeremy for an extensive excavation project and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. He cleared a long stretch of heavily overgrown land with impressive precision and care. Throughout the job, he remained calm, communicative, and consistently offered practical advice that...
Precision Builders & Excavating, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2022
We wanted the main waterline from house to street, and hot water heater replaced. After reading reviews, we chose Wisler Plumbing and Heating to do this work. Wisler reached out daily in advance to let us know who was coming to perform the work. Each employee we met was very professional,...
Wisler Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electric
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Reviewed in March 2019
Home Advisor recommended &amp;amp;#39;Mason Company&amp;amp;#39; for our garage project in Roanoke, VA. We, the property owners, signed a contract dated 01/29/19, work to commence on or before 02/25/19. The agreement required a $21,735 deposit upon commencement of the project and it was...
Mason Company of Virginia Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2015
My husband and I were very excited to work with David James Homes to build our new home. We went in and picked out the plan that worked best for us. Everyone in the showroom was very nice, Katie and Brian. We were in contact with Brian regarding the pricing for our home and he was very quick...
David James Homes
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Reviewed in January 2014
Three workers arrived at 8am on the day of the job. They worked CONTINUOUSLY until after 7pm. I took before and after pictures, which I may share (on request), but cannot presently post here as they are stored on another computer. They towed in a steel tracked Excavator ("bucket and claw")...
DAB ENTERPRISES, INC.
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Reviewed in November 2013
We interviewed and received quotes from several foundation repair professionals during summer for a recently purchased home. Prices and suggested solutions to our foundational issues varied greatly. Luis from XPert Foundations was very professional and recommended the optimal solution that...
Xpert Foundations Inc
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Reviewed in November 2013
Gave a through estimate and a creative and detailed drawing for the project. Much more complete than the other estimates we reviewed. Made modifications as requested by us. The plan included excavating a line in the concrete floor for the new bath. A very good crew overall. The project came out...
Dollman Construction, Inc
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Reviewed in November 2013
They went all out to get it taken care of in one day. The job required excavating the tank top as it was buried fairly deep. They also had to excavate the line to the distribution box to fix the problem, They checked the drain field and found it to be working fine. Really nice crew and very...
Affordable Septic Tank Service LLC
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Reviewed in May 2013
Working with George Baron was a good experience. He works well with Roanoke County, he made sure that all permits were properly applied for and completed. A detailed estimate was provided and billing was accurate according to the estimate. George's main excavator, Kenny, is very skilled...
Baron Enterprises of Virginia
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Reviewed in January 2011
I was looking for someone to put in a decorative concrete patio which would require taking down a fence, some excavation of a hill, installing a stone wall (to match an existing wall), along with the concrete. As I searched for a stone mason to work on the wall I received a ringing endorsement...
Rocks By David
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Mike Atkinson, Inc.

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Mike Atkinson, Inc.

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25 years of experience

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Mike Atkinson Excavating is a family company who has been doing excavation, demolition and disposal in Salem, VA and surrounding areas for over 35 years. Honestly, we love demolishing things. We also love watching a piece of land that is overrun or underdeveloped turned into the foundation for somebody's dream. We are your local excavating contractor and demolition contractor, both residential and commercial. Whether foundations, parking lots, road clearing, pond building, land clearing we are your complete source. We take pride in our work.

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Mike Atkinson, Inc.

Mike Atkinson, Inc.

Tunstall Excavating & Landscaping LLC

Tunstall Excavating & Landscaping LLC

Haul away

Haul away

Elite Landscaping and Lawncare LLC

Elite Landscaping and Lawncare LLC

Southern VA LandWorx

Southern VA LandWorx

M & K Land Pro LLC

M & K Land Pro LLC

Yates trucking

Yates trucking

McCord's Excavating

McCord's Excavating

Hayes Construction

Hayes Construction

garcia's plumbing

garcia's plumbing

The Boones Mill, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

How Much Does Pool Excavation Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Are Excavator Rental Prices? [2025 Data]

How Much Does Excavation Cost? [2025 Data]

What Is Trenching? What to Know for Your Upcoming Utility Work

Is It Possible to Add a Basement to an Existing House?

Can You Excavate in the Winter? What to Know About Breaking Ground in the Cold

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