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Avatar for TILT Excavation and Land Clearing
TILT Excavation and Land Clearing
5.0(
5
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+2 more

Serving Saint John, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I was very satisfied with the work they did for us. We were selling a farm house property and at the last minute the buyer's mortgage company required that a large dilapidated barn be removed before the sale could close. Because of our short timeline and the location's rural location, we had a hard time finding an contractor. TILT offered a bid at a reasonable price and did the job exceedingly well. There was a hiccup due to contradictory instructions given by some family members, but we cleared it up and TILT responded well. Overall, they were very responsive to phone calls and requests. We then hired them to do a second job of cleaning junk out of a two-car garage at another property."
Demolition Photos
Deck Build
Yard Work
Land Development
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for ReidCo, LLC
ReidCo, LLC
5.0(
1
)
Building Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Saint John, WA and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I highly recommend Lukas for your excavation needs. I just finished building a house in North Spokane where I worked as my own general contractor. I didn?t have any knowledge or experience in excavation, sewer/water lines, digging in the street, or working with the city on the permit process. Lukas helped me with it all including preparing the site for footings, foundations, grading the alley and driveway and was also able to provide the street obstruction permit and bond (which I could not get). Lukas also helped with removing 4 trees and even hauled off them + many other loads of construction debris. He gave me guidance on all the plumbing parts, water lines, suppliers even helped me connect them all the way to my main line in the house. The workmanship, attention to detail and professionalism was exceptional and I was able to save a considerable amount of money. Thank you Lukas."
Response time3 days
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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 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.

There is no standard depth for burying a septic tank; they are typically buried anywhere from 4 inches to 4 feet underground. The final depth depends on several factors, including the depth of your main sewer line, the height of the bedrock, soil type, local regulations, and the property's landscape. If you plan to grow grass or plants over the tank, a depth of at least 4 to 6 inches is recommended. Deeper tanks can be more difficult to locate, but a septic professional can help find it for you.

A trench that is less than 5 feet deep often doesn't require a protective system. Most residential trenches will not go this deep (the typical residential drainage trench is just 18 inches deep). In the event that an excavator needs to dig more than 5 feet beneath the surface, a protective system is required unless the excavation is in entirely stable rock.

The average cost of excavation is approximately $3,200, with typical projects ranging from $500 to $15,000. Depending on the contractor, you may be charged between $50 and $200 per cubic yard or an hourly rate of $40 to $180 for an excavation specialist. The total cost is influenced by several factors, including the project size, the amount of soil to be removed, and the soil's condition. Hard soil, tree roots, or excessive rocks and clay can increase the price, potentially adding $200 to $1,200 to the final bill. Other factors that can drive up costs include the presence of nearby structures that complicate the work or tight spaces that require manual excavation instead of heavy machinery.

The Saint John, WA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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