Evans Companies
Excavating in Rochester, MN and Nearby
When you need land cleared, a trench dug, a driveway built, or a site opened up, Evans Companies gets it done. We bring serious equipment, skilled operators, and the grit to take on tough digging across Rochester, MN and the surrounding area. Our crew knows the land, knows the soil, and knows how to prep your site so the rest of your project starts strong.
Service Area
Areas We Serve
Evans Companies serves public agencies, contractors, and property owners across nine counties in southeast Minnesota — everything within about an hour of Rochester.
Outside the radius? Reach out — we travel for the right project.
Permits & Compliance
Dug Right, By the Book
An excavation done without the right locates, permits, and erosion controls can stall your whole project — or worse, leave you holding the liability. In Minnesota, the requirements are specific, and we handle them as part of every job, not as an upsell.
Before a bucket touches your property, utilities are located and marked, required permits are identified, and erosion control measures are planned. It’s the unglamorous part of excavation, and it’s exactly where experience pays off.
Hiring any excavator? Ask them who files the Gopher State One Call ticket, who pulls the right-of-way permit, and how they handle silt control. If the answers are vague, keep looking.
Gopher State One Call (811) Locates
Minnesota law requires utility locates before any excavation. We file the ticket, wait the required notice period, and verify the marks on site before digging.
City & County Permits
From Rochester right-of-way permits to township driveway approaches, we know which approvals your project needs and coordinate them so your timeline doesn't stall at a counter.
Frost-Depth & Code Compliance
Footings, water services, and sewer laterals are excavated to code depth for southeast Minnesota, documented and ready for inspection.
Fully Insured Crew & Equipment
Liability and equipment coverage on every job, with certificates available on request — protection for you, your property, and your lender's requirements.
Our Excavating Services
We handle every type of excavation a property, farm, or construction site might need.
Straight Talk On Pricing
What Factors Affect Excavation Cost
No two sites price the same, but the factors behind an excavation estimate aren’t a mystery. Here’s what we look at when we walk your property — so you understand exactly what you’re paying for.
Soil & Rock Conditions
Sandy topsoil cuts fast. Compacted clay and shallow limestone slow equipment down and increase wear, fuel, and machine hours. We identify your soil type at the site visit, not after the dig starts.
Site Access
A wide-open rural lot lets us bring efficient, full-size equipment. Tight in-town lots, mature trees, fences, or overhead lines can mean smaller machines and more hours to move the same material.
Haul-Off & Material
Spoils that stay on site cost less than material that has to be trucked away. Likewise, imported fill, gravel, or rock adds trucking and material cost. We balance cut and fill wherever the site allows.
Depth & Volume
A driveway cut might move a few inches of material; a full basement dig moves hundreds of yards below frost depth. Depth drives machine size, shoring needs, and time on site.
Utilities & Obstacles
Working around marked gas, water, electric, and fiber lines takes careful hand-digging and potholing near crossings. More utilities in the work zone means slower, more deliberate excavation.
Season & Timing
Frozen ground, spring road restrictions, and saturated soils all affect production rates. Booking your project in the right window can meaningfully change what it costs to complete.
Dig Deep Build Up
Excavating
Who We Work With
Homeowners
Your property deserves a strong foundation. Whether you need a driveway installed, a basement dug, or land shaped for a new build, we work directly with homeowners who want dependable results. We keep communication clear and keep the job site safe and organized from start to finish.
General Contractors & Commercial Clients
Contractors choose Evans Companies because they want a crew that shows up on time and handles the hard work without slowing down the rest of the project. We support custom builds, commercial sites, additions, and full-scale developments. Tight deadlines, tough conditions, or complex sites, our team is ready for it.
City and Municipal Projects
We support cities, townships, and municipalities with excavation for utilities, drainage, public infrastructure, and community developments. Our crew works with accuracy and respect for public property. Safety and compliance are always top priorities.
Our Process
Our Excavation Process
01
Site Visit and Walkthrough
We look at the land, measure, complete takeoffs and understand your goals.
02
Planning and Utility Locates
We mark all utilities and review the SWPPP, civil and utility plans.
03
Excavation Begins
We bring the equipment, dig and shape the site with precision.
04
Rough Grade and Cleanup
We grade the site, remove debris, and prep it for the next phase.
05
Final Review
We walk the project with you to make sure everything is exactly how you want it.
Still have questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does excavation cost in the Rochester area?
Excavation pricing depends on the size of the project, soil conditions, access to the property, and the amount and type of material that needs to be moved. A small trench or driveway cut may cost far less than a full basement dig, pond build, or large commercial site prep. Rochester soil can range from soft sandy topsoil to compacted clay and limestone, which affects equipment time, wear and tear and fuel usage. When we quote a project, we walk the site, measure everything, and give you a fair, straightforward price with no surprises. Every estimate is customized so you only pay for what you actually need.
How much does excavation cost in the Rochester area?
Excavation pricing depends on the size of the project, soil conditions, access to the property, and the amount and type of material that needs to be moved. A small trench or driveway cut may cost far less than a full basement dig, pond build, or large commercial site prep. Rochester soil can range from soft sandy topsoil to compacted clay and limestone, which affects equipment time, wear and tear and fuel usage. When we quote a project, we walk the site, measure everything, and give you a fair, straightforward price with no surprises. Every estimate is customized so you only pay for what you actually need.
How much does excavation cost in the Rochester area?
Excavation pricing depends on the size of the project, soil conditions, access to the property, and the amount and type of material that needs to be moved. A small trench or driveway cut may cost far less than a full basement dig, pond build, or large commercial site prep. Rochester soil can range from soft sandy topsoil to compacted clay and limestone, which affects equipment time, wear and tear and fuel usage. When we quote a project, we walk the site, measure everything, and give you a fair, straightforward price with no surprises. Every estimate is customized so you only pay for what you actually need.
How much does excavation cost in the Rochester area?
Excavation pricing depends on the size of the project, soil conditions, access to the property, and the amount and type of material that needs to be moved. A small trench or driveway cut may cost far less than a full basement dig, pond build, or large commercial site prep. Rochester soil can range from soft sandy topsoil to compacted clay and limestone, which affects equipment time, wear and tear and fuel usage. When we quote a project, we walk the site, measure everything, and give you a fair, straightforward price with no surprises. Every estimate is customized so you only pay for what you actually need.
Client Testimonials
What our clients are saying
Homeowners, farmers, and business owners across the Rochester area know they can rely on Evans Companies for straight talk, solid work, and no surprises. Here’s what they’re saying.
Matt Klebe
Waleed Brinjikji
Tanya Starkson
Jake Huglen
Lucas Tschumper
Zac Boutin
A Jul
Travis Arment
Let’s dig in
Ready to Start Your Project?
Whether it’s excavation, grading, or demolition, Evans Companies is ready to get your site prepared and your project moving.