Questions from Rochester Homeowners
The questions Rochester-area homeowners ask us most, answered plain. If yours isn't here, call (612) 260-8779 — a real person answers, around the clock.
Request my estimateHow much does excavation cost around Rochester?
It depends how it's priced. Digging runs $50–$150 per cubic yard for homeowner jobs, grading runs $0.50–$1.25 per sq ft for finish work, and pads price by the job. The excavation cost page breaks it down, and every job gets a free written estimate after an in-person look.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. The visit and the written estimate are free, and the price in writing is the price you pay unless the scope changes — and if it does, we talk first.
How deep does frost go here, and why does it matter?
Southeast Minnesota frost runs deep — footings have to sit below it, and a driveway or pad built thin over frost-susceptible soil will heave and rut. We dig footings below frost depth and build driveway bases deep, in compacted lifts.
Can you grind stumps and fix the yard in the same visit?
Yes — that's how most stump jobs go. We grind the stump out below grade, then finish-grade the spot so it's seed-ready. One visit, no hole left behind.
Do you dig septic systems?
We dig the hole, trench, and backfill for septic work. Pumping, repair, and installation of the system itself runs through our septic services — the excavation page has the details.
What does a new gravel driveway cost?
A new driveway with a proper base runs $1.75–$4.50 per sq ft. A typical 12×100 ft country drive lands around $2,100–$5,400 in standard Class 5 gravel. A top-up refresh of an existing drive runs $0.75–$1.50 per sq ft.
Can the dirt you dig stay on my property?
Yes, and it usually should. Spoil spread and graded on site is part of the dig. Hauling it off runs $300–$600 a load — worth it only when there's truly no place for it.
Do you work in winter?
We can dig in winter, but frozen ground is slow going and spring road restrictions limit heavy loads during thaw. Most folks book spring through fall. We'll tell you honest if your timing costs you money.
How far out do you travel?
Rochester and the towns around it — Stewartville, Kasson, Chatfield, Byron, Pine Island, Dodge Center, and Zumbrota. Farther than that, call and ask; the machine travels on a trailer.
Are you the same crew for the whole job?
Yes. The crew that digs your foundation grades around it, and the pad we build is the pad your builder measures. One crew, start to finish.
Still deciding? Call (612) 260-8779 or send the form — we'll come look and put it in writing.