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Avatar for Rapidan Farm, LLC
Rapidan Farm, LLC
4.4(
17
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I highly recommend Dave Eddins. He has rescued us several times now when our sloping gravel driveway was damaged in extremely heavy rains. He has been personable and prompt, and his rates are quite reasonable. We think he is aces!"
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+11

Response time12 hrs
Response rate97%
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Dirt Pro
Dirt Pro
5.0(
3
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"First experience with Dirt Pro was when I began building our new home in November 2019. I'm still using Dirt Pro for any excavation needs and highly recommend his service."
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+4

Response time7 hrs
Recommended by66%of homeowners
Wilkins Excavating LLC. - Inicio Facebook
5.0(
1
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Wilkins Excavating is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.\n\n

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Gabriel & Gail Better Business
Gabriel & Gail Better Business
3.6(
33
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"

Initially, he seemed like he was very very knowledgeable, very friendly and gave us thoughts that he knew what he was doing. They arrived on time. They're very good. The crew was pretty quick and efficient. One problem I had was they didn't come with enough materials. They had to reschedule for a completion of some. There were some minor issues that we ran into. They were supposed to paint the chimney cap and never actually did that. It's not a big deal but the other thing was the warranty and we kind of had a fight with them for the warranty to actually be processed. The warranty was the big thing and it was a lifetime warranty and I guess there were personal things that came up. It was just basically what I've learned late, but it took us probably eight months to get the warranty to be processed. That was my biggest concern, but the warranty company ensures me that everything is good even though the paperwork has the wrong number on there and I am assuming that's because they had the wrong number initially which is why they didn't have enough material.

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Charcoal GAF High Definition Shingle
Vent Ridge Installation
Recommended by75%of homeowners
Avatar for Pyramid Paving, LLC
Pyramid Paving, LLC
5.0(
5
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We hired Pyramid paving to pave our driveway. They worked with us in determining the schedule and worked with us in resolving a few minor issues. They did a great job. There was some grading work to be done which they did. Quality work all the way around. Would I recommend them? Yes. Would I use them again? Absolutely! They were great to work with."
Just Paved
Paved
Freshly Paved
Grading in progress
Beginning of grading

+11

Response time1 day
Response rate96%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for J&J Earthworks, LLC
J&J Earthworks, LLC
5.0(
2
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very reliable, great with communication got back to me fast I had an idea and told them what I wanted and they even added their own twist to really knock it out of the park. I can tell they take pride in the work that they do. Would highly recommend to anyone I come across. If you want the job done right and in a timely manner J&J Earthworks is the contractor for you."
Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Hollywood Welding & Fabrication
4.0(
1
)

Serving Grottoes, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

Services offered (but not limited to):\n\n General excavation\n New driveway installation and driveway repair\n Septic installation and repair\n Building site prep and concrete slab installation\n Stone and dirt delivery\n Yard grading and drainage work\n Land clearing and stump removal\n Field mowing, brush hogging and york raking\n Structure demolition and removal\n Junk clean out and removal\n Post hole and pond digging\n Stone wall building\n Tree work and light logging\n Spring cleanup\n Welding and fabrication

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Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

A perc test can take anywhere from one to eight hours to complete. The total time depends on factors like the amount of excavation required, the depth and width of the holes, and whether multiple test holes are needed. For a single hole, the process of filling it with water and monitoring the drainage rate usually takes less than an hour. Professionals can often complete the entire test in a single day. While it's possible to get results the same day, some companies may take a few days to provide the official report.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

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.

Slab foundations are more affordable than crawl spaces because they require minimal excavation, as the slab sits directly on the ground or on footers that only sink a few feet into the ground. Crawl spaces require excavation of the entire footprint of the home to several feet below the surface. Not only does that mean higher labor costs, but more materials are necessary for the concrete foundation walls.

Yes, you can excavate in the winter, but it might make the job harder. Frozen ground is harder to dig, and snow or ice can make the work site more hazardous. A contractor may need special equipment and techniques, such as ground-thawing methods, to break through frozen soil. Although winter excavation is possible, it may take longer and be more costly than excavating during warmer months.

The Grottoes, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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