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TRUSTED BY DES MOINES, WA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon69
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in Des Moines

Triton Excavation INC
4.6(
41
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They came to look at some work on a Saturday and just did it rite then. I wasn't expecting that so was thrilled. Did a great job on a totally miserable project, got it done quickly, cleaned up and cost was very fair. I'd recommend them in a heartbeat"
Response time2 days
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Mount Olive Landscape & Constr
Mount Olive Landscape & Constr
4.8(
57
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I needed to stabilize a slope. Norberto presented a plan for a retaining wall and drainage that was both functional and attractive. He provided a detailed bid for labor and materials that was competitive with several other companies He and his crew completed the job efficiently while taking care not to damage existing shrubbery and ornamentals. Norberto is professional and easy to work with. He was very good about coordinating with me. I have and will continue to use his company for other projects."
vinyl fence 3
Vinyl Fence Project
Vinyl Fence Project
Flagstone Patio
Flagstone Patio

+46

Response time8 hrs
Response rate98%
56 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Gaston Bros. Excavating, Inc.
Gaston Bros. Excavating, Inc.
4.4(
20
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+1 more

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1980

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"I hired Gary Gaston to clear my severely overgrown backyard. He showed up when he said he would to look at the job and give me a bid. I decided to go with Gaston Brothers and we set up a day and time to start the project. Gary said he could do it in one day. Again he showed up on time and started the work. I was impressed at Gary's skill operating the backhoe. That is truly a lost art. He cleared enough to fill 2 full sized dump trucks. Gary went the extra mile by leveling out the yard. It's ready for me to rake it smooth and plant grass. Thank you Gary!"
Wall project
Wall project
Retaining Wall
Parking lot
Parking lot

+52

Response time1 day
Response rate88%
5 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Seattle Rockeries
Seattle Rockeries
4.8(
62
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Scope of project was removal of existing concrete pavers and hemlock stump, then installing 7-9 rockery flat steps made of natural basalt rockery rocks. We were thoroughly happy with the work from Seattle Rockeries. Harry and his crew were very knowledgeable, fast and friendly. Sharing pics of before and after."
206-960-9003
Glory
after
after
after

+138

Response time10 hrs
Recommended by94%of homeowners
Avatar for P4 Construction, LLC
P4 Construction, LLC
5.0(
12
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Great construction company to work with They’re professional, reliable, and do quality work I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a good construction company!"
Response time5 hrs
Response rate94%
Recommended by20%of homeowners
Avatar for NestEx LLC
NestEx LLC
5.0(
6
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing+2 more

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

"I highly recommend NestEx LLC. We needed a gravel pad prepared for 2 sheds on very short notice, and he truly saved the day. Despite the tight timeline, he went out of his way to accommodate us by coming out on a Saturday to get the job done. His professionalism and attention to detail were evident from the moment he started. He meticulously dug out the soil and leveled the entire area before taking his time to expertly layer layer and compact the gravel. You can tell he takes immense pride in his work; the base is rock-solid and perfectly even. What impressed me the most was his thoughtfulness. After finishing a thorough cleanup of the area, he was gracious enough enough to cover the entire pad to protect it from the incoming rain. He wanted to ensure the gravel wouldn’t be compromised so it could harden properly- a level of care you rarely see. If you want someone reliable, hardworking, and genuinely dedicated to quality, look no further. 5 stars all the way."
11 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Northern Horizons Land and Yard Restoration
Northern Horizons Land and Yard Restoration
4.5(
6
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping+1 more

Serving Des Moines, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Jesse is an incredibly hard worker. He removed around 1000sq ft of blackberry bushes, which uncovered lots of junk left over from previous homeowners. He was generous enough to remove the junk along with the bushes, cleaning up our yard to make it safe for the kids to play."
Before
Before
After
After
Response time5 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by66%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

The best way to protect tree roots is to avoid the roots entirely by excavating outside the root radius of the tree. For nearby projects, it’s a good idea to construct a temporary retaining wall. But that’s not always possible, depending on the project and the root system. In these cases, consider using alternative equipment like an auger to tunnel under the ground.

Remember, tree roots can damage nearby cement foundations as they grow. If a tree is close enough to interfere with large excavations, it may be better to remove the tree than risk future problems.

Call 811 to locate and mark the gas lines at least three days before digging. In many areas, you can dig within 18 inches of the lines, though in some locations, the distance may be further. Check local regulations, as you may need a utility company representative onsite when digging. Document your calls to 811 and precautions taken to avoid gas lines. A homeowner can be held liable for hitting a gas line in some cases, but contacting the proper authorities and following all guidelines can offer protection.

To locate an underground downspout, you should start by identifying where the above ground gutter drains. Look for an entry point, such as a pipe or elbow leading into the ground. Follow the surface path for signs like depressions, landscaping disruptions, or wet areas after rain. You can use a metal detector or plumber’s snake to trace the pipe underground. For deeper pipes, a professional locator tool or camera inspection may be necessary. Visual markers or utility maps can also guide the search.

If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between $40,000 and $90,000 on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.

After you successfully remove your boulder, you have a few options for what to do to get rid of it. You can rent a dumpster if your yard has many boulders or if you’re planning a larger project. You can even save the boulder and reuse it elsewhere on your property to save on landscaping costs. A few ideas include using the boulder as a natural, abstract statue, breaking it into smaller pieces to line your garden bed, or offering it to a landscaping company that could reuse it for another project.

The Des Moines, WA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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