Residential & Commercial Plumbing

Professional Excavation Services

When pipes fail beyond repair, we dig smart, work safe, and restore completely. Your property is in expert hands.

SAFETY FIRST: Licensed • Insured • OSHA Compliant • Call Before You Dig Certified

When is Excavation the Right Solution?

Excavation is serious work, but sometimes it's the only way to permanently solve underground problems. Here's when it makes sense.

Fully failed lateral

Critical

Sewer line has collapsed, is partially sinking, or has separated badly enough that flow is gone. Call when any of these appear.

Warning Signs:

  • Yard sinkhole right over the pipe path
  • Chronic wet spot between house and street
  • Sewage surfacing in the yard
  • Foundation cracks appearing on the line side of the house

Timeline:

Dig within days

Our Approach:

Open trench or pipe bursting, depending on what the camera shows

Repeat clogs in the same spot

Moderate

You've had the line cabled or jetted twice or three times in a year or two, at roughly the same footage mark. Something structural is causing it to recur.

Warning Signs:

  • Same clog every 6-12 months
  • Camera shows offset joint, belly, or repeating root intrusion
  • Cabling clears it but doesn't fix it

Timeline:

Plan within 30-60 days

Our Approach:

Camera locate, then spot repair or trenchless lining based on conditions

Aging water service line

Planned

Lead or galvanized service line from the curb stop to the house is past its useful life. Replace now, on your timeline, instead of after a mid-winter failure.

Warning Signs:

  • House is 60+ years old and has never had the service replaced
  • Pressure is chronically lower than the street pressure
  • You've had multiple pinhole leaks in the home

Timeline:

Plan for spring or fall weather windows

Our Approach:

Trenchless pull-through where the run allows; otherwise open trench

New construction or addition

Planned

Adding a second bathroom, a basement kitchen, a new garage, or a pool requires either a branch off an existing line or a new run to the main.

Warning Signs:

  • Permitted construction underway
  • New fixtures being added more than 20 ft from the existing stack
  • Existing line is too small for added load

Timeline:

Coordinate with the GC's schedule

Our Approach:

Excavation integrated into the construction rough-in sequence

Smart Excavation Approaches

Open-trench excavation excavation method

Open-trench excavation

Bellied pipes that need re-pitching, multiple fail points in one line, shallow laterals, situations where you need visual verification of surrounding conditions.

Mini-excavator and hand work to expose the line, remove the damaged section, install new pipe with proper slope, backfill with compacted material, and restore the surface.

Advantages:

  • Direct eyes on surrounding soil, joints, and utilities
  • Best option for re-pitching bellies and correcting slope
  • Often the most cost-effective for short runs near a cleanout
  • Allows re-routing around problem areas

Considerations:

  • Yard, sidewalk, or driveway disruption during the dig
  • Restoration adds days to the project timeline
  • Weather-sensitive in winter and heavy rain
  • Tight lots limit equipment size and access

Typical Timeframe:

2–5 days including restoration

Restoration:

Topsoil, seed, and hardscape restoration included in the quote

Trenchless (pipe bursting or lining) excavation method

Trenchless (pipe bursting or lining)

Lines under driveways, sidewalks, mature landscaping, or slate walks — anywhere restoration would cost more than the repair itself.

Two access pits — one at each end of the run. For bursting, we winch a cone through while pulling new HDPE pipe behind it. For lining, we invert a resin liner that cures in place.

Advantages:

  • No long trench — lawn, driveway, and hardscape stay intact
  • 1–2 days on site typically
  • Works in winter when open excavation is painful
  • Often cheaper than open trench once restoration is included

Considerations:

  • Higher upfront pipe cost (lower total cost after restoration)
  • Requires a line that's generally in the right shape
  • Two access pits still needed
  • Not every lateral qualifies — we camera first to decide

Typical Timeframe:

1–2 days on site

Restoration:

Access pits only — no long trench to restore

Targeted spot repair excavation method

Targeted spot repair

A single known issue point — an offset joint, a crushed section, a tree root intrusion — where the rest of the line is still in good shape.

Camera-locate the specific fault, mark it precisely from above ground, dig a small test pit exactly there, repair, backfill, restore.

Advantages:

  • Small footprint — often a 3x4 ft pit
  • Preserves the rest of the line
  • Lowest cost when the issue is truly isolated
  • Fast — often one-day in and out

Considerations:

  • Depends on accurate camera-locating
  • Other undiscovered issues may emerge later
  • Not all faults are repairable this way (collapses need more)
  • Still requires careful utility locating before digging

Typical Timeframe:

1 day

Restoration:

Small pit restoration only

Our Excavation Process

Experience our systematic approach to safe and efficient excavation

Excavation Process

Step 1 of 5

Step 1: Pre-Excavation Planning

Pre-Excavation Planning

Comprehensive site assessment and utility location

Call 811 for utility marking
Video inspection of existing pipes
Soil composition analysis
Access route planning

+ 1 more activities...

2-3 days before dig

Swipe left or right to navigate • Tap dots to jump to step

Safety equipment and personal protective gear

Safety is Non-Negotiable

Excavation work carries serious risks. We follow strict safety protocols to protect our workers, your property, and your family.

Utility Protection

  • Professional utility locating services
  • Hand digging within 18 inches of marked utilities
  • Electronic detection equipment
  • Coordination with utility companies

Trench Safety

  • Proper slope angles (OSHA compliant)
  • Trench boxes and shoring systems
  • Continuous atmosphere monitoring
  • Safe entry and exit points

Property Protection

  • Protective barriers around landscaping
  • Driveway and walkway protection
  • Foundation monitoring
  • Sprinkler system safeguards

Environmental Safety

  • Soil contamination testing
  • Proper waste disposal
  • Erosion control measures
  • Groundwater protection protocols

Understanding Excavation Costs

Every excavation project is unique. Here are the key factors that influence pricing so you can understand what goes into your estimate.

Excavation Depth

High Impact

Deeper excavations require more safety measures and equipment

Typical: 6-12 feet for main lines

Soil Conditions

High Impact

Rocky, clay, or unstable soils increase complexity

Typical: Varies by location

Access Difficulty

Medium Impact

Tight spaces or poor access increase labor time

Typical: Standard yard access

Utility Density

Medium Impact

Multiple utilities require careful hand digging

Typical: Typical residential density

Restoration Scope

Medium Impact

Landscaping, driveways, and hardscaping repairs

Typical: Basic lawn restoration

Permit Requirements

Low Impact

Municipal permits and inspection fees

Typical: $100-500 depending on scope

Our Pricing Promise

Free on-site assessment and estimate
Detailed written proposals
No hidden costs or surprises
Complete restoration included
1-year warranty on all work

We believe in transparency. You'll know exactly what you're paying for and why.

Ready to Solve Your Underground Problems?

From urgent repairs to planned upgrades, we handle excavation projects with precision, safety, and care for your property.

Licensed & Insured • OSHA Compliant • Complete Restoration Included • 1-Year Warranty

Call 412-265-5479