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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

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%
52 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 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

"NestEx provided a quick response for our inquiry for getting our yard graded. He provided a quality job at a reasonable price. I can’t recommend him enough. We are super satisfied with the project and will be using him in the future for any upcoming projects. 11 out of 10."
10 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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Showing 1-10 of 219
Excavating questions, answered by experts

You can bury underground electrical wire six inches deep—but only if you use a rigid metal electrical conduit. For rigid, non-metallic conduits, bury the wire at least 12 inches deep. If using an underground feeder cable rated for direct burial, you'll need to place it at least 18 inches deep, as it has no conduit for extra protection.

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.

Errors in site preparation can lead to structural failures or appear costly midway. Professionals ensure detailed, reliable home base development layouts.

Most states do not require excavation companies to hold specific licenses, but many require at least a contractor’s license. Additionally, heavy equipment operators require a special commercial equipment license to operate machinery required for excavation. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing tool to confirm that an excavation company you’re considering hiring is fully licensed. You should also make sure that the excavation team is fully insured before allowing them to work on your property.

Yes, you can technically make a crawl space liveable, but the only way to do so is by converting it into a basement. While some crawl spaces are big enough to walk through and store large items, they lack appropriate insulation and space to be liveable.

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.