Get matched with top excavation pros in Roanoke, VA

Q: How do you calculate excavation costs?

• <div><p>Excavation is priced in cubic yards, so you&rsquo;ll need to find the volume of the area in order to calculate costs. Multiply the length, width, and proposed depth of your excavation site, then convert it into yards to get the volume. Multiply this figure by the price per cubic yard.</p><p>Most homeowners can measure by hand to get a rough estimate, even if it&rsquo;s tedious. You may want to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-read-a-tape-measure.htm">pull out a tape measure</a> or use a string to help mark the area. </p></div>

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

• <div><p>The best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.</p></div>

Q: How far should you bury downspouts from the house?

• <div><p>Downspouts should be buried at least 5 to 10 feet away from your foundation. This can vary depending on your local building codes, soil type, and property slope. The main goal is to ensure water is directed away from your foundation.</p></div>

Q: How deep are sewer lines buried?

• <div><p>Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep, with a common average depth between 18 and 30 inches. The exact depth depends on local factors like climate and soil type. In colder regions, pipes must be buried deeper (below the frost line) to prevent freezing, sometimes as deep as 8 feet. The digging depth can also impact the cost of sewer line replacement. To find the specific depth for your property, you can check the building plans for your system, which should be on file with your city or local sanitation department since permits are required for installation.</p></div>

Q: How long does excavation take?

• <div><p>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&rsquo;s riddled with boulders and rough terrain. It may also take longer if you have clay soil, which is more difficult to dig.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Roanoke, VA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, 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 July 07, 2025

Reviewed in July 2025
We had a relatively large project...total remodel of the primary bedroom/bathroom suite, including moving walls, replacing subfloor, moving plumbing fixtures, electrical, etc. Additionally, we replaced the front sidewalk and added a portico to the front of the house at the same time. Tracy...
Design and Remodeling Experts, Inc
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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 August 2024
Erskine did an excellent job rebuilding our deck stairs. He had helpful advice, he communicated clearly, the cost was reasonable, and he is a real craftsman. We're really pleased with the result, and highly recommend Unlimited Handiworks LLC!
Unlimited Handiworks LLC
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Reviewed in April 2023
Michael Barker was honest and upfront about how he charges for his services. I found a much less expensive solution to my shed removal project, but Michael did help with the furniture repairs. I will probably be calling on his skills for certain future needs.
Band Of Brothers Custom Creations
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Reviewed in April 2023
We had our old roof replaced. Everyone was considerate and efficient. Was very pleased with how well the crew cleaned up after completion of the project.
Mason Company of Virginia, Inc.
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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 May 2021
I had work done on my main fresh water and sewer line and Pipe Con did a fantastic job. They showed up on time and were ready to go. I was impressed that they followed safety requirements as the hole got deeper. There were a few surprises that came up but they handled them without any issue. ...
PipeCon, Inc.
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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 July 2015
.Randy presented several options we hadn't considered and a detailed quotation of what they would do. His work crew showed up exactly as scheduled. They were very polite and very hard workers. They respected our property and were careful not to damage nearby plantings. They resolved quickly...
Roanoke Landscapes
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Reviewed in June 2015
Excavation was done cleanly and in a timely manner, however paving was delayed by not only weather but also other obligations they company had to the extent that 12 days went by between removing old driveway bed and new asphalt was down. During that time period heavy rains washed out the new...
C J Asphalt Paving Inc
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Find Excavation pros in Roanoke

Mike Atkinson, Inc.

New to Angi

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

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.

Response time1 day

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Wandless Excavating and Lawn Care

5.0(

)

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

"Made the yard look great! Did a lot of clean up in the front beds and the leaves throughout the yard. Will definitely hire again!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

"The gentlemen at Smith Grounds showed up early, quoted a fair price, and got right to work. They were respectful of my home in every way, and they did a fine job removing the tree brush from my back yard. They definitely take pride in their work, and I will definitely hire them again."

Recommended by85%of homeowners

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

"Excellent! They did such a great job and were done in no-time! Not to mention how kind they are!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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H.C. Shively Jr. Excavating

New to Angi

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1973

Free estimates

Thank you for choosing H.C. Shively Jr. Excavating, we pride ourselves on having served the Virginia area for over 30 years giving our customers the best service and pricing around. Call today!!

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Sylvester is easy to work with -- we work a lot with their crew and will continue to in the future. It's a pleasure to work with them."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Benjamin Bear Associates / O.L. TURNER & Sons Inc.

3.5(

)

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1968

Emergency services offered

"He showed up on time but, didn't get done what I wanted done in the time that I bought from the big deal. I think it should have taken him two hours. It was easy to schedule."

Recommended by58%of homeowners

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Harvey Contracting and Excavating, LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Harvey Contracting and Excavating does a good job. He has put in a septic systems for me and completed some grading work. He is personable, too."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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JP Excavating & Construction LLC - Pgina inicial Facebook

New to Angi

Serving Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

JP Excavating & Construction, LLC, works hard to provide the highest quality workmanship and customer service on every job we are awarded. With many years in this field we look forward to service all your home improvement needs.

Response time5 days

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John Dooley Excavating

1.3(

)

Serving Roanoke, 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

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Showing 1-10 of 25

Excavating questions, answered by experts

Excavation is priced in cubic yards, so you’ll need to find the volume of the area in order to calculate costs. Multiply the length, width, and proposed depth of your excavation site, then convert it into yards to get the volume. Multiply this figure by the price per cubic yard.

Most homeowners can measure by hand to get a rough estimate, even if it’s tedious. You may want to pull out a tape measure or use a string to help mark the area.

The best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

Downspouts should be buried at least 5 to 10 feet away from your foundation. This can vary depending on your local building codes, soil type, and property slope. The main goal is to ensure water is directed away from your foundation.

Sewer lines can be buried anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep, with a common average depth between 18 and 30 inches. The exact depth depends on local factors like climate and soil type. In colder regions, pipes must be buried deeper (below the frost line) to prevent freezing, sometimes as deep as 8 feet. The digging depth can also impact the cost of sewer line replacement. To find the specific depth for your property, you can check the building plans for your system, which should be on file with your city or local sanitation department since permits are required for installation.

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.

The Roanoke, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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

See all articles

Taylor Freitas
•
Mar 6, 2026Mar 6, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Trencher? [2026 Data]
If you need to dig a trench, you might be tempted to do it yourself instead of hiring a pro. So, how much does it cost to rent a trencher? Let’s break it down.
Mariel Loveland
•
Mar 18, 2026Mar 18, 2026
How Much Does Excavation Cost? [2026 Data]
Excavation costs $1,500 to $6,300 for most residential projects—but it depends on factors like the size of the area. This guide will help you plan a budget.
Paige Bennett
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Are Excavator Rental Prices? [2026 Data]
Preparing for a big excavation project in your yard? Find out excavator rental prices by type, project size, and more to budget for your project.
Veronica Sparks
•
Apr 10, 2026Apr 10, 2026
What Is Excavation? A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners
Discover what excavation is, the different types, and when it's needed in construction. Learn key insights for your next big home project.
Rachel Presser
•
Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
Who Can Dig a Trench for Me?
Who can dig a trench for you? You can rent trenching equipment for a simple job, but a local excavation company can help with tough ones. Here's how.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
•
Apr 8, 2026Apr 8, 2026
How to Use a Trencher Safely and When to Call a Pro
Using a trencher is more efficient than using a shovel when excavating. Here’s a basic guide on how to use a trencher for your next project.