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>

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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: 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 long does it take to trench 100 feet with a trencher?

• <div><p>It takes two to three hours to trench 100 feet with a mechanical trencher or 10 to 12 hours if digging with a shovel. The total time to dig a trench depends on the depth, width, soil type, terrain, trencher type, and your level of experience. Digging in clay or rocky soil takes longer than soft ground. </p></div>

Q: Should I hire an excavation company for land grading or yard leveling?

• <div><p>Yes, an excavation company is the best option for land grading and yard leveling. General landscapers might be able to tackle these projects, but an excavation company will do a better job because they&rsquo;re used to operating the necessary heavy machinery. Landscapers might opt to do the work manually, which takes much longer and could cost you more in labor fees. Finally, excavation companies will understand local regulations and know when you need permits to legalize the work, while a landscaper might not.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Troutville, VA

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Troutville, 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 Troutville, 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 07, 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 June 2023
They planted post , excavated land , cleaned out fence line ! Cleaned up brush pile ! These guys are the real deal !! They show up on time ! They work hard ! Go above and beyond what you expect ! These guys are old school !! They actually do what they tell you they are going to do. And then...
CNR, 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 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
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

Jf landworks LLc

Jf landworks LLc

M & K Land Pro LLC

M & K Land Pro LLC

Yates trucking

Yates trucking

McCord's Excavating

McCord's Excavating

Hayes Construction

Hayes Construction

Fuller and Davis

Fuller and Davis

garcia's plumbing

garcia's plumbing

Shepherd's Mobile Home Moving Grading & Excavating LLC

Shepherd's Mobile Home Moving Grading & Excavating LLC

The Troutville, VA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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