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John Dooley Excavating
1.3(
2
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Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Collinsville, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

John Dooley Excavating is your local excavation contractor. We also specialize in septic tank systems cleaning, inspection, and installation. We provide all kinds of excavation projects including land cleaning, grading and much more. Each project is unique and custom tailored to your specific needs.

Response time2 hrs
Bolt Excavating
New to Angi
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving Collinsville, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2002

Free estimates

Bolt Excavating, has the equipment and knowledge, to do your excavation job efficiently and safely. As the owner, Phillip Bolt, will be on your job site, running the equipment and making sure the job gets done right. Bolt Excavating, has both large and small equipment. We can coordinate with other contractors, to get the job timed right so everyone is happy.

Response time5 days
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

A walk-behind trencher can cut through roots as long as they’re not too thick, making a project much easier than digging with a shovel and other hand tools. Assess your terrain and the number of trees in the surrounding area to determine if a walk-behind trencher will ease the job. Digging a trench by hand is much more time-consuming and labor-intensive. 

The digging depth will depend on the size of the trencher you use. Even smaller units can dig up to 4 feet deep, which is plenty for a DIY job. However, much larger trenchers can reach a depth of 18 feet and are better used by a team of pro contractors, not a single DIYer. As with all home improvement projects, use the right tool for the job and proceed with caution.

The best type of soil to build on is a mixture of sand and clay, known as loam soil. Loam soil has the best combination of these soil types to build a foundation on. The clay particles help with water retention, so it won’t erode like sandy soil might, and the sandy particles help with drainage, so you won’t see unsafe soil expansion or have an increased risk of leaks from water sitting against your foundation.

Most states do not require excavation companies to hold specific licenses, but many require at least a contractor’s license. Additionally, heavy equipment operators require a special commercial equipment license to operate machinery required for excavation. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing tool to confirm that an excavation company you’re considering hiring is fully licensed. You should also make sure that the excavation team is fully insured before allowing them to work on your property.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

The Collinsville, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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