• <div><p>No, a ditch isn’t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that’s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that’s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don’t get filled back in with dirt after they’re dug.</p></div>

Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>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 <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

How much trench can you dig in a day?

• <div><p>You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. </p></div>

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Q: Is a ditch a trench?

• <div><p>No, a ditch isn&rsquo;t a trench. A ditch is an open, relatively shallow channel that&rsquo;s carved out of the ground and used for drainage purposes. In contrast, a trench is a deeper excavation that&rsquo;s entirely underground. Trenches have many uses, including gas lines, sewage systems, and electrical wiring. Unlike trenches, ditches don&rsquo;t get filled back in with dirt after they&rsquo;re dug.</p></div>

Q: Do installations include excavation and drilling?

• <div><p>Yes, professional installations include trenching or borehole drilling required for ground loops.</p></div>

Q: Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less&mdash;between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you&rsquo;re not adding new finished square footage, you won&rsquo;t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

Q: How deep can you dig for a basement?

• <div><p>Most residential basements are 8 to 10 feet deep. You can dig deeper depending on building codes, but it does become more difficult. You&rsquo;ll likely need to install stronger foundation walls and additional supports to handle the increased load. Depending on the water table, you may also need a water management system. Clay soil can support a deeper foundation than sandy soil. A structural engineer will be able to tell you the maximum, feasible depth.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Excavation pros in Monticello, WI

*The Angi rating for Excavation companies in Monticello, WI 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 Monticello, WI 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 November 13, 2025

Reviewed in November 2020
Brad was very easy to work with. His prices are very competitive and his customer service is excellent. Even though I contacted him late in the season, he was able to get the job completed. He and his crew completed the connection of the sump pump discharge to a newly installed municipal...
Extreme Lawns
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Reviewed in March 2019
I can't say enough good things about our project with Green Future Construction. We had developed a bad water leak along one wall of our basement which we diagnosed as coming from a depression and water channels caused by a decayed tree stump under our ground level deck. Rather than deal with...
Green Future Construction
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Reviewed in May 2016
Kirch's price was incredibly competitive with other bids. He thoroughly explained some additional options he could provide and was very easy to work with. The extra considerations he gave were ones that the other excavators didn't mention, like building up the low parts of the land with the...
Kirch Excavating Service LLC
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Reviewed in April 2016
We hired this company because the came in with the low bid among several highly regarded landscape companies that we interviewed. In retrospect, we really regret this decision. First, the small stuff. After they seeded the lawn, wind blew much of the seeds into the mulch beds where the grass...
Herman Landscape Service Inc
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Reviewed in July 2011
Sometimes you wonder how a contractor can sleep at night. This is one of those. Tony did not have the license or the skills to do my job, but wouldn't admit it. I gave him plans in late June. By December he still hadn't managed to get an accurate quote for the work we needed done, though he...
Nicholson Home Services, Inc.
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Reviewed in January 2010
Signed contract 2/09 and were told we were second on the list, excavation would begin 4/09 and we would "be swimming by memorial day". The only pool we got was a pool of lies and excuses why nothing was done. Pool manufacturer contacted us in June wanting to know why we were constantly...
Lake Country Pool & Sunroom LLC
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Reviewed in December 2009
I had never even heard of Egnoski Excavating. He was brought in as a sub contractor by my concrete company. They had nothing but praise for him reassuring me that I was in good hands. It wasn't long after watching the progress I could tell this guy was not your average excavator, he should be...
TOM EGNOSKI CONSTRUCTION
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