This can be a difficult situation, when you’re faced with deciding how to navigate the course between an absolutely necessary excavation and salvaging your landscape.
Acculevel is a family-owned and operated company that specializes in foundation repairs and waterproofing. Since our start in 1996, we’ve helped more than 30,000 homeowners restore health and stability to their homes. Some of Acculevel’s repair services do require excavation along your home’s foundation. Your project advisor will review the process with you before any work is done, so that you can determine the best course of action.
This blog is not meant to replace your project advisor’s recommendations. Its intention is to simply address this commonly asked question: how do I protect valuable items in my landscape during excavation?
Not sure how invasive your repairs will be? We explain which Acculevel services require excavation in this FAQ.
When Should You Remove or Relocate Items Yourself?
Generally speaking, if you want the items kept in pristine condition, you should move them yourself. Our crews are respectful of you and your home at all times, but their primary responsibility is repairing your home. If the plants or deck stairs are in the way, crew members will remove them as efficiently as possible. This can mean the items are not re-plantable, or need to be replaced or reassembled.
If the items in question are concrete, like a walkway or patio, Acculevel can jackhammer them apart and haul away the pieces for you. Our crews can re-pour concrete after the foundation repairs are complete, if you wish. These are options that should be discussed and included in your project estimate.
More decorative items like paving stones or brick should be removed before the crew arrives. We recommend either doing this yourself, or by hiring a general contractor who can reset the pathway after excavation is complete.
Please note that our contract clearly states final grading and lawn seeding are the homeowner’s responsibility. If you are unsure about the proper grade of your yard, a landscaping company can assist you with restoring the ideal slope.
When Should the Acculevel Crew Remove Items for You?
If the item is in poor condition, or you will not want to replant it, you can leave it for our crews to remove. Our crews are expected to clean up after themselves: anything we remove, we will haul away with us.
This is somewhat negotiable, however. If you have a future planting or grading project in the works and want our crews to leave the excess soil (after excavation and backfill are complete), please let your project advisor know.
While we are on the subject of excess soil and backfill, we want homeowners to understand that our crews aim to do the best job possible under the given conditions. If it is raining, the backfill will not be as smooth or level as it would be on a sunny day.
BEFORE: This photo was taken by an Acculevel project advisor during a free estimate appointment.
AFTER: This photo was taken by an Acculevel crew member, after installing helical piers to stabilize and repair the foundation.
Our Goal is 5 Star Customer Service
We believe we have the best, most efficient, hardest working crews in the business. They are well-trained, experienced, exceptional laborers who work under most circumstances, regardless of personal comfort. We only reschedule repairs when our teams would be actively at risk (lightning storms, tornadoes, extreme temperatures).
Have You Scheduled Your Free Estimate?
If not, call Acculevel at 866-669-3349 or complete our online form. We’ll schedule an appointment for you with one of our project advisors. They will use their knowledge and expertise to fully assess your home and address your concerns. Together, you and your advisor will determine the best course of action to restore your home and your peace of mind.
