They say a building is only as strong as its foundation — but that foundation depends entirely on the quality of the ground it’s built upon.
This is where excavating companies comes in, an essential first step in most construction projects. Excavation involves removing unstable earth, digging trenches, holes, or creating faces in the ground to properly prepare the site for a building’s substructure.
Without proper excavation, even the most expertly designed buildings can face structural problems down the line.
From commercial high-rises and residential developments to infrastructure projects like roads, pipelines, and bridges, excavation ensures the ground is stable, safe, and ready for construction.
It’s a specialized process that requires skill, precision, and the right equipment — which is why choosing a trusted excavation contractor is critical.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of excavation work in construction and highlight the Top 10 Excavating Companies in the US that have earned reputations for excellence, reliability, and expertise.
Whether you’re a developer, contractor, or homeowner looking to break ground on a project, these companies represent the best in the business when it comes to laying a strong foundation for success.
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What does Excavating Companies do?
Excavating companies play a critical role in almost every construction project, and their services are consistently in high demand.
In fact, the excavation contracting industry has seen steady growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9% over the past five years, reaching $118 billion in 2023.
It’s projected to grow an additional 3% this year, reflecting the ongoing need for skilled excavation work across the country.
There are nearly 235,000 excavation and site development contractors operating in the US today. These companies handle a wide range of essential tasks that help prepare construction sites, including:
- Removing soil, rock, and other materials to ensure a stable foundation for buildings
- Creating access for underground utility installation, such as water, sewage, gas, and electrical lines
- Identifying and safely removing hazardous materials buried on the site
- Adjusting site elevation through earthmoving processes
- Clearing natural obstacles like trees, stumps, and boulders to prepare a level surface
- Performing mass excavation for deep foundations needed in large-scale industrial projects
Overall, excavating companies are the backbone of site preparation, ensuring that every construction project starts with a safe, stable, and properly prepared site.
Top 10 Excavating Companies in the US
1. Keller North America Inc
- Total revenue: $1.38 billion
- Previous year’s rank: 1
Keller North America consistently ranks at the top among excavating companies, maintaining its leading position on ENR’s Top 20 Firms in Excavation and Foundation list. As the world’s largest geotechnical contracting firm, Keller operates in over 40 countries and has six affiliate companies across the United States.
The company enjoys an above-average payment reputation, holding a B grade with 83 points out of 100. Impressively, about 90% of contractors who have collaborated with Keller have rated their experience 4 stars or higher, while only 10% gave 2-star reviews.
Specializing in grouting, ground improvement, deep foundations, and other advanced techniques, Keller North America has earned a reputation for excellence. This strong track record has led to its involvement in numerous high-profile projects across the country, solidifying its position as one of the most respected and reliable excavating companies in the industry. Some notable work includes:
- Portageville Bridge Replacement, Castille, NY
- First Street Tunnel, Washington D.C.
- Tampa International Airport Bridge Reconstruction, Tampa, FL
2. MasTec Inc.
- Total revenue: $958.6 million
- Previous year’s rank: 4
MasTec Inc. made an impressive leap in 2022, jumping from fourth to second place among top excavating companies, thanks to the largest percentage revenue growth on the Top 20 Excavation/Foundation firms list — a staggering 203% increase from 2021’s $397.3 million.
Headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, MasTec is a multinational infrastructure specialist whose excavation services are just one facet of its broad expertise. The company is particularly renowned for its work in mass communication technology and energy, which drive much of its revenue.
A standout project in MasTec’s portfolio is its $500 million contract awarded in 2018 to restore and rebuild Puerto Rico’s power grid after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.
This achievement highlights MasTec’s critical role not just in excavation, but also in major infrastructure recovery and development efforts, making it one of the most dynamic and respected excavating companies today.
That being said, MasTec still delivers essential groundwork in their home state of Florida and beyond, such as:
- Palm Beach County Canal Repair, West Palm Beach, FL
- St. Lucie County Canal Banks Repairs, St. Lucie County, FL
- US Highway 49 Bridge Construction, Mercer County, ND
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3. Malcolm Drilling
- Total revenue: $573.2 million
- Previous year’s rank: 2
Malcolm Drilling, a private drilling company and specialty foundation contractor, dropped from second place on last year’s list of top excavating companies. Known for providing deep foundations, retention systems, ground improvements, and dewatering services, Malcolm has been a key player in complex foundation and excavation projects across the U.S.
The company operates from multiple locations, including California, Florida, and Utah, where it has earned an average payment score. According to recent data, Malcolm Drilling holds a C grade, scoring 74 out of 100 points. Notably, 67% of subcontracting companies gave it a 1-star review, while 33% rated it 5 stars, resulting in an overall average of 2.3 stars.
Despite this mixed feedback, Malcolm Drilling remains one of the most recognized names among excavating companies, trusted for its specialized expertise in challenging ground conditions and foundation solutions.
With nine offices across the continental United States, the San Francisco-headquartered contractor has earned, completed, and continues to work on several notable large-scale projects such as:
- SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
- Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
- Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
4. Plateau Excavation
- Total revenue: $450.2 million
- Previous year’s rank: 3
Austell, Georgia’s Plateau Excavation continues to secure its spot among the top excavating companies, ranking in the ENR Top 5 for its extensive groundwork across the Southeastern United States.
Known as a regional market leader, Plateau Excavation specializes in commercial, industrial, landfill, transportation, and energy infrastructure projects, with many of its notable projects tied to Amazon fulfillment warehouses.
Based on data provided to Levelset, Plateau Excavation holds an impressive above-average payment score of A, scoring 85 out of 100 points when compared to thousands of other national contractors.
Interestingly, despite this strong payment performance, no subcontractors have yet submitted reviews about their experience working with the company.
Plateau Excavation’s consistent reputation and steady ranking among the top excavating companies highlight its expertise and trusted role in delivering large-scale site preparation and infrastructure services across its core markets. Apart from these, Plateau has also completed integral work to the following:
- Altana Braves’ Suntrust Park, Cobb County, GA
- Avalon Residential-Commercial Development, Alpharetta, GA
- Jonquil Village Mixed Use Development, Smyrna, GA
5. Drill Tech Drilling and Shoring Inc.
- Total revenue:: $285.9 million
- Previous year’s rank 6
Antioch, California-based Drill Tech Drilling and Shoring secured a place among the top excavating companies this year, thanks to a 16% revenue increase.
Known for its wide range of services, Drill Tech specializes in foundations, ground treatment, mining and tunneling, and architectural shotcrete.
The company also operates six subsidiary firms, including E.E. Construction Company, expanding its capabilities across multiple sectors.
Despite its growth, Drill Tech holds a C Grade for payment, scoring 59 out of 100 points. Based on feedback from seven vendors, the company averages 2.3 stars, with 57% of reviewers assigning 1-star ratings.
Drill Tech has performed work on projects such as:
- San Jose State University campus design-build pile foundation, San Jose, CA
- Transbay Transit Center Project, San Francisco, CA
- Cal Memorial Stadium reconstruction, Berkeley, CA
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6. J. Derenzo Co
- Total revenue: $261 million
- Previous year’s rank: 5
New England’s J. Derenzo Company saw a modest 3% decline in revenue for 2022, causing it to slip from the top 5 excavating companies list.
Despite this dip, the 73-year-old firm continues to be a key player in the Northeast’s commercial and industrial sectors. J. Derenzo Company is well-known for its expertise in site preparation, excavation, foundation work, and utility installation.
Its long-standing reputation, built on decades of quality service, has kept it in steady demand among clients across the region.
The company remains a respected name in the excavation and foundation industry, consistently delivering reliable project outcomes. Such completed projects include:
- Merrimack Premium Outlets, Merrimack, NH
- Kensington Place, Boston, MA
- Harvard University Innovation Lab, Cambridge, MA
7. Ryan Inc Central
- Total revenue: $221.1
- Previous year’s rank: 9
Hailing from Janesville, Wisconsin, and founded in 1884, Ryan Incorporated Central has established itself as a powerhouse among Midwest excavating companies.
Specializing in earthwork, utility installation, and site development, Ryan Incorporated Central commands a strong presence in the region’s construction market.
The company holds an above-average B grade, scoring 81 out of 100 points, reflecting its reliable payment performance compared to industry peers.
Subcontractors and vendors have reported on-time payments for five projects over the past 12 months, although no formal reviews have been submitted detailing work experiences.
Ryan Incorporated Central’s longevity and reputation make it a trusted industry leader.
With a diverse portfolio containing site grading work performed on commercial, industrial, warehouse, and golf course sites to name a few, Ryan Inc is responsible for setting the foundations of:
- Lincoln Valley residential neighborhood sitework, North Aurora, IL
- Project W – Amazon Distribution Warehouse, Beloit, WI
- Zurich World Headquarters, Schaumburg, IL
8. Manafort Brothers Inc
- Total revenue: $200.9 million
- Previous year’s rank: 8
While best known for its demolition expertise, Plainville, Connecticut’s Manafort Brothers Incorporated is also a key player among Northeastern excavating companies.
With regional offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Manafort Brothers offers specialized excavation services across a range of sectors, including civil utility work, highways, bridges, and mass transit projects.
The company’s extensive experience and regional reach have made it a trusted name in heavy civil construction.
Known for handling large-scale, complex projects, Manafort Brothers continues to play a vital role in shaping infrastructure throughout the Northeast, combining technical expertise with a reputation for delivering quality results on demanding worksites.
Noteworthy foundational projects include:
- Bedford Square Mixed Use Development, Westport, CT
- West Haven Train Station, West Haven, CT
- Union Square Development, Somerville, MA
9. Condon-Johnson & Associates
- Total revenue: $200 million
- Previous year’s rank: 10
Oakland-based Condon-Johnson & Associates recorded a 2% drop in revenue in 2022 but still climbed one spot in this year’s ranking of top excavating companies.
As a West Coast leader in geotechnical services, the firm specializes in grouting, dewatering, and deep foundation work.
Condon-Johnson’s expertise is particularly prominent in the transportation sector, where it has contributed to numerous major infrastructure projects.
With a strong reputation for technical skill and project execution, the company continues to be a key player in improving and expanding transportation networks across the West Coast, despite facing modest revenue challenges in the past year.
Some of their featured projects include:
- I-5 North Coast Corridor Bridge Replacement, San Diego, CA
- Yellowstone Norris to Goldengate Boardwalks, Yellowstone National Park
- Seattle BP Terminal Seawall Replacement, Seattle, WA
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10. Beaver Excavating Co
- Total revenue: $199.8 million
- Previous year’s rank: 11
Entering the Top 10 this year is Ohio’s Beaver Excavating Company. Based in Canton, the firm is known not only for its earthmoving work but also for its expertise in concrete, demolition, power generation, and underground utility placement.
As one of the leading midsize excavating companies, Beaver Excavating has built a solid reputation in the industry.
The company holds an above-average payment score of 81 out of 100 points, earning a B Grade.
Additionally, it has been rated 3.5 stars based on payment performance across 13 projects over the past 12 months, reflecting its reliability and consistent project execution.
Some projects listed on its Mass Earthwork portal of their website include:
- PA Turnpike/Southern Beltway SR 576, Washington & Allegheny Counties, PA
- ODOT Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Hwy, Scioto County, OH
- AES/AEP Power Plant Expansion, Maidsville, WV
FAQs
What do excavating companies do?
Excavating companies handle site preparation tasks such as digging foundations, removing soil and debris, grading land, trenching for utilities, and clearing rocks or trees. They ensure a stable, safe surface for construction projects.
How do I choose the right excavating contractor?
Look for licensed and insured contractors with experience in your type of project. Check their reviews, request references, and ask about their equipment, timelines, and safety practices before hiring.
What types of projects require excavation services?
Excavation is needed for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, including building foundations, swimming pools, septic system installations, utility line placement, road construction, and landscaping.
How much does excavation work cost?
Excavation costs vary widely depending on the project size, soil type, location, and required equipment. Prices typically range from $50 to $200 per hour or $1,500 to $5,000 for a typical residential job.
Do excavating companies handle permits and inspections?
Many professional excavating companies assist with obtaining necessary permits and scheduling inspections, but it’s always best to clarify this upfront when signing the contract.
Conclusion
Excavating companies play a vital role in preparing safe, stable sites for construction projects of all sizes. With their expertise in grading, trenching, and clearing land, they ensure successful project foundations.
Choosing a reputable excavating contractor is key to ensuring efficiency, safety, and long-lasting results on any site.
