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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon23
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Stephenson

SUNCREST BUILDERS
4.2(
93
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We had a hot and cold experience with SunCrest. When John, the owner, came out to give us an estimate of the work, he was on-time and full of ideas for us. This was the third or fourth estimate that we had received for the work.
When we received the quote, he was responsive to our questions and timely. We selected SunCrest based largely on the reviews on Angie's List and the price. John had initially said that the project would be 4 weeks in total. We ran the quote past a family member who are in the business and they felt that pricing was fair but the payment schedule (25% at agreement, 25% at the start, 25% at the inspection and then 25% at completion (which turned out to be after the final state inspection)) was a little aggressive.

Things went downhill quickly:
We were told that the work would start in the middle of January. When we heard nothing from them for several weeks, we were at first concerned. We were told that we would have a walk through prior to starting with his team as a transition from him to his project manager. We had asked for a revised set of drawings that took several weeks to get (one week John had been out of town which is understandable). Finally on a Thursday in early February, John asked us if we'd like to start the next day or the following Monday.

Demolition was quick and the initial framing was done in just a few days. We had asked up front about being cognizant about the water issue and wanted the walls wrapped to prevent any water from seeping back into the drywall and this was something that they had previously not thought of doing. We had to gut the basement previously due to mold and then needed to waterproof the basement prior to rebuilding. There were weeks that went by without any progress made and no communication from SunCrest. We'd check every day to see what was done.

Additionally, we started asking from Day One about amounts of materials needed, dates for ordering etc... We received a call the night before our shower plumbing needed to be installed asking us where it was. We were never notified of what we needed (nor knew what it actually was) so I needed to scramble to order parts and have them overnighted to ensure that they were installed in time. We continued to ask for the necessary materials and amounts and finally about 2 weeks before we needed everything we were given the list. We had to rush to get the necessary materials. They did provide us with contacts at Ferguson's and the Tile Shop which was helpful. I never actually got the answer about how much flooring I needed (thankfully I guessed correctly). I had to call John the evening I went to order the tile about the necessary amounts. They work with the Tile Shop often and should know their ordering schedule but given the delay in when we received the amounts, I needed to place my order in Tyson's and then go down to Springfield to get it since they had a later shipping date. We over ordered based on their recommendations and while we are able to return the tile, I have three half used bags of grout and other things that I will never be able to use.

There was miscommunication between John and his PM about the "included costs" which we ended up having to pay for that was never specified in the contract. John had planned for 6 total lights and his PM looked at the contract and assumed that they were responsible for all lights and allowed us to state where and how many lights we wanted and we ended up with 15 (a costly mistake).

They did work with us when we decided (after learning of the necessary amount of tile needed) to completely tile the wall around our fireplace. The finished product looks great and they were most proud of that wall. However, we had asked several times during the process about the necessary codes for the fireplace. Did we need a hearth? Did we need to ensure that there is proper spacing? etc.. We ended doing the research and AFTER the floor was finished they offered (with about 12 hours notice) to put in a hearth but never actually provided the necessary information. We decided ultimately to pass but we had given them 3 weeks to provide an answer.

SunCrest made assumptions about things and didn't always check those with us. From the start of the project, we asked that a closet that had been two separate spaces remain separate, we ended needing to remind them and continue to hound them until the very end. Additionally, we had asked several times over about putting shelves into one closet to act as a pantry (which had been relayed to John during the initial discussions) and we happened to get a call from the PM who was purchasing supplies for the closet at Home Depot and he had said he was planning to put a bar up in the closet so we needed to stress again that we wanted shelves in there and had planned on that all along.

The crew would arrive at odd times (which again is understandable given that they are working on multiple projects etc..) but often we wouldn't know when and how long they would stay. I had my alarm system go off on a few weekends since I didn't expect them to be there. There was even miscommunication between their various teams. The floor layer would show up after 4 pm and work until 8:30 or 9 at night as they didn't schedule his time correctly.

Towards the end of the project, we ended up having weeklyish calls for a progress report since they were so far behind and so bad with communication.

Given their multiple delays in the project, they were gracious enough to paint the basement at their cost.
Overall, after 13 weeks (I think there were 8 weeks where nothing was actually done), the basement is finished. It took them a little extra time to get to the final punch list items due to a delay with a light that needed to be ordered last minute (and I paid extra to assume speedier delivery since I had thought that they would finish it sooner). Even then, they failed to show up when scheduled.

Overall we are happy with the final product but the effort to get there and needing to stay on top of them for what seemed like everything wasn't worth it in the end.

UPDATE: After the storms that blew through in early June, we had new leaking in our basement through a window.  This wasn't SunCrest's fault but John and his team was quick to come out and remove the damaged dry wall, allow it air out and then reinstall and finish the damaged area. It has been a long saga but I am certainly glad that they are willing to support clients after the fact."
Tile Backsplash
Bathroom Renovation
Custom Hearth
Recommended by82%of homeowners
Avatar for MJ Home Services LLC
MJ Home Services LLC
4.0(
361
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Wonderful. There are few things worse than going down to your basement and finding muddy water pooled on the floor. We were able to take care of the standing water; however, we had to find the source of the leak. We called MJ Home and they were able to come out the same day, give an assessment, and by that evening we had an estimate. Another representative came out the following day to meet with my husband and discuss the exact plan of attack and the following day they were out there and the job was completed. I would not have asked for better service."
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+9

Recommended by75%of homeowners
Avatar for Sam & Sons Services
Sam & Sons Services
4.0(
144
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They came out today to provide an estimate on fixing a frozen pipe. They ran a snake through the pipe to see if anything was in the pipe causing the clog.  They also checked our crawl space to see if they could access the pipe from that area, but unfortunately are not able to.  They're going to have to remove the siding from the house, clear out the pipe, re-insulate it and replace the siding. Their estimate of $1,200 seems like a fair price.  I especially liked the fact that they took off their shoes before entering the house.  Everyone was very professional, prompt and courteous.  I did pay them today for the snake service and inspection."
Look for one of our many trucks out and about in your area!
Chandeliers, wall lights, canned lightins, we do it all!
Ceiling fan installation
Tranform yoour Bathroom!
Faucet and shower head repair and installation!

+4

Recommended by78%of homeowners
Avatar for Ace Lawn & Landscaping
Ace Lawn & Landscaping
4.4(
60
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The crew from ACE was on time, and as I was not able to be at home during the job;  Jim set it up that his crew would call me 45 mins prior to finishing,  so I could get home to pay them.  It worked out great!   The lawn and beds are totally free of debris.   Thanks to all at ACE
Larry P"
Recommended by86%of homeowners
Avatar for CLASSIC DRAINAGE INC
CLASSIC DRAINAGE INC
4.1(
28
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"Andrew and his crew have always done an outstanding job for us.  He looks at every project with an eye towards drainage and keeping water away from the house--which was important in our case.  Andrew also goes above and beyond and recommends options that are cost saving.  Most recently, Andrew created a landscaping project for us in a very wet spot of our townhouse patio.  We had a general idea of how we wanted it to look, and Andrew provided an exceptional option for cost savings in placing a circular stone slab down.  The quality of work is consistently outstanding.  We would recommend them for any project you have."
Recommended by75%of homeowners
Waterproofing INC
4.6(
154
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1982

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Steve came to consider the problem and give me an estimate. He seemed very thoughtful and sincere. We agreed on the price and the date when work would start. With no delays, the work started on the agreed-upon date. Steve's brother Dave does the actual deconstruction and puts in the drainage. He has a team of three men, including himself, and they completed the job in 3 days. It may have been the hottest 3 days of the summer but they didn't complain--I couldn't believe how diligent they were. And they didn't "thrash." We've probably all had people working on our homes that made us wonder if the house was going to be standing when they were through. These guys were great--I'd definitely call them professionals. Once they finished, I had a couple items I wanted done a different way. That was no problem. They came back and finished it very much to my satisfaction. Whenever I called the company, I received a call back. I would definitely use Waterproofing, Inc. again but I think my problem is solved. I'm not worried because the company gives a lifetime warranty and I have no doubt that they will stand behind their word.
"
Recommended by97%of homeowners
Avatar for The Pond Doctor
The Pond Doctor
4.6(
53
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"The whole experience was outstanding from Mark explaining what could be done and providing a great estimate to Curtis and his crew who did an excellent job utmost professionalism. They had to change the original design and added an extra filtration system at no additional cost. Overall I could not have asked for a better experience. I was under a time constraint and Mark and his crew came through. Thank you so much. I highly recommend the Pond Doctor"
Kids and Ponds
Plants and Ponds
Small Ponds
Fountain Bowls
Basalt Columns

+1

Recommended by93%of homeowners
Avatar for H Martinez Contracting LLC
H Martinez Contracting LLC
3.9(
87
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving Stephenson, VA and surrounding areas

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The overall job went really well. Hector's guys were able to do remove and install a heavy cast iron tub in around three days.  They resolved some minor complications that I expected would arise in a 1920s era bathroom.  They then installed a new shower handle and fixed the tile surrounding the tile.  Overall, the job was well done and at a reasonable price.  I estimated the price of labor so you can compare apples to apples since I paid a price that included the tub and other materials. I gave a B on responsiveness only because it was hard to initially get in touch and schedule the initial appointment, which included a missed appointment.  Otherwise, Hector is very responsive by email. I would recommend Hector and his crew to anyone doing home renovations.
"
Additional Photos
Natural Stone Patio
Additional Photos
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Stone Stairways

+12

Recommended by89%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

The rules for trenching and excavation include setting up and following safety protocols, learning how to use tools and machines properly, and ensuring there is a safe exit for all workers. Keep heavy equipment and materials away from the edge of the hole or trench. Call the 811 dig line before starting any excavation or trenching project to ensure you don’t hit any electrical or gas lines.

Yes, trenchers can go through gravel. Gravel is made up of smaller, softer rocks that certain trenchers are able to cut through. Just be sure to use a rock wheel trencher or chain trencher, both of which are made to cut through rocky landscapes and gravel pathways without dulling the teeth or chain.

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.

A crawl space can be as little as 42 inches below the grade of your house, but this is not always recommended in flood-prone areas. At a minimum, there must be at least 16 inches of clearance between the ground and the floor joists to access the space in an emergency.

The Stephenson, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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