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Excavating Contractor in Ann Arbor You Can Actually Count On
So you’ve got a project. Maybe it’s that backyard you’ve been staring at for months, wondering how you’re ever gonna level it out. Or maybe you just closed on a lot near Dixboro and now you’re realizing… the land needs serious site preparation before anything else can happen.
That’s actually why most folks around here end up calling us.
At JS Wrecking Co, we’ve been doing excavation work in and around Ann Arbor for a long time now. And when I say we know this area, I mean it. We’ve worked on properties out past Barton Hills, handled site development jobs near the Huron River, and cleared land for new builds all across Washtenaw County. The soil here? It’s got its quirks. Clay heavy in some spots, drainage issues in others. You learn these things after two decades of running heavy equipment through it.
A lot of people don’t realize how important the excavation phase actually is. It’s not just moving dirt around. It’s setting up your entire construction project for success or failure. Bad grading leads to stormwater problems. Poor site clearing means delays down the road. And cutting corners on the foundation prep? That’ll cost you way more later.
What we do is pretty simple, honestly. We show up, we assess the situation, and we get the ground ready so everything else can go smoothly. No surprises. No excuses. Just the work, done right.
What Our Excavation Services Actually Include
When people hear “excavating contractor,” they sometimes picture just a guy on an excavator digging holes. But there’s a lot more to it than that. And honestly, the details matter more than most folks realize.
This is what we actually do when you bring us onto a project here in Ann Arbor.
Request Your Free Excavation Quote in Ann ArborExcavation Services
This is the core of what we handle as an excavation company. Whether you need basement excavation contractors for a new home near Burns Park, or you’re prepping a commercial lot off Washtenaw Avenue, we’ve got the equipment and the know how to get it done. We dig foundations, trenches for utilities and sanitary sewer lines, and handle pond excavation for those bigger rural properties outside the city. Every job is different. The soil conditions change, the access points vary, and sometimes there’s stuff underground nobody warned us about. We’ve seen it all at this point. And we adapt.
Our team coordinates with the engineer on complex projects to make sure everything meets design specifications. Whether it’s plumbing trenches or stormwater management systems, we understand how all the pieces of a construction site fit together.
Before anything gets built, the land has to be ready. That means removing trees, brush, old concrete, debris… whatever’s in the way. We’ve cleared properties that looked like small forests and turned them into clean, workable lots within a few days. A lot of our site clearing work happens for developers and contractors who are working on subdivisions out toward Saline or Ypsilanti. But we do plenty of residential jobs too. Maybe you bought a property with an old barn falling apart on it. Or there’s a bunch of overgrowth that’s been sitting there for years. We come in, clean it out, and haul everything away.
As one of the local excavation companies committed to sustainability, we also think about erosion control from day one. Keeping soil where it belongs protects both your property and the surrounding environment.
Fixing a Drainage Nightmare in Pittsfield Township
One of our more memorable projects was for a homeowner in Pittsfield Township who’d been dealing with water pooling against his garage foundation for three years. Every time it rained, water would collect right at the base of the building. He’d tried landscaping fixes, adding gutters, even had someone come out and add more dirt along the edge. Nothing worked.
When we came out to assess, we noticed the whole backyard was actually sloped toward the garage instead of away from it. Whoever did the original grading on that property years ago made a pretty big mistake. We spent two days regrading the entire backyard, adjusting the slope by about six inches over forty feet, and added a small swale to direct stormwater toward the back corner of the lot. Problem solved. He sent us a photo after the next big rainstorm… completely dry along the foundation. That’s the kind of result that makes this work worth doing.
Clearing a Commercial Lot on Jackson Road
About eight months ago, a developer contacted us about a two acre parcel off Jackson Road that had been sitting vacant for years. Old foundation from a building that was torn down in the 90s. Overgrown trees everywhere. Piles of broken concrete half buried in the dirt. They needed it cleared and prepped for a new retail building, and they needed it done in under two weeks.
We brought in a crew of four, two excavators, and a couple dump trucks. Worked through some rain early on, which made things muddy, but we stayed on schedule. Removed over 40 tons of debris, ground down three old tree stumps, and got the site graded and ready for the construction team. Developer told us later it was the smoothest site prep phase he’d had on any project that year.
This part doesn’t get enough credit, if I’m being honest. Grading is what determines how water flows across your property. Get it wrong and you’ll have puddles against your foundation every time it rains. Or worse, flooding in your basement. We take grading seriously. We check the slope, ensure proper soil compaction, make sure drainage is moving away from structures, and create a surface that’s ready for whatever comes next. Driveways, landscaping, building construction… it all depends on this step being done correctly.
And we’re not just talking about big commercial projects here. Even a simple backyard regrade for a homeowner in Kerrytown deserves the same attention. That’s kind of our whole philosophy as dirt work contractors.
Why Ann Arbor Trusts JS Wrecking Co
There’s a lot of excavating contractors out there. Some of them are fine. Some of them… well, you’ve probably heard the horror stories. Jobs that drag on forever. Crews that don’t show up when they say they will. Equipment that breaks down halfway through the project.
That’s not how we operate. And I think that’s why people keep calling us back.
20 Years of Doing This the Hard Way
Our team didn’t learn excavation from a manual. We learned it in the field. Day after day, job after job, across all kinds of terrain and conditions. We’ve worked through Michigan winters, dealt with surprise underground springs, and figured out how to get heavy equipment into tight residential lots without tearing up the neighbor’s yard. That kind of experience? You can’t fake it.
Unlike some excavation companies in my area that take on any project regardless of fit, we stick to what we know. Excavating services, trenching, site development, and dirt work. When you need trenching contractors or hydro excavation companies for specialized work, we can point you in the right direction. But for core excavation and site prep? That’s where we shine.
Local to Ann Arbor and Proud of It
We live here. We work here. When we finish a job in Pittsfield Township or out near Dexter, we might run into that same client at Zingerman’s the next week. That keeps us honest. Our reputation in this community matters to us because this is our community.
When people search for excavating contractors in my area, we want them to find a company that actually understands the local soil, the local building codes, and the way construction projects move through permitting around here.
Family Owned, Straightforward Pricing
No corporate overhead. No salespeople trying to upsell you on services you don’t need. When you contact us, you’re talking to the people who actually do the work. And our pricing? It’s competitive because we keep things simple. We tell you what it’s gonna cost, and that’s what it costs. No surprises on the invoice later.
Our Service Area
We’re based right here in Ann Arbor but we work all across the surrounding area. That includes:
- Ypsilanti
- Saline
- Dexter
- Chelsea
- Pittsfield Township
- Scio Township
- Most of Washtenaw County
If you’re not sure whether we cover your location, just ask. Chances are we’ve already done work near you. As one of the established excavating contractors in my area, we’ve built relationships with contractors, builders, and homeowners throughout the region.
Tree Cutting/Removal
Emergency Tree Service
Tree Stump Grinding/Removal
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Get Your Free Estimate Today
Ready to get your demolition project started? We make it easy. No long wait times, no confusing quotes, no runaround. Just straightforward pricing and honest answers about what your job will take.
Give us a call at (313) 251-8774or visitjswrecking.comto request your free estimate.
What Happens When You Call
- You talk to a real person who knows the work
- We ask a few questions about your project
- We schedule a time to come look at your site
- You get a clear estimate with no hidden fees
- Once you approve, we get to work
Our Detroit Service Areas
We serve homeowners and commercial clients throughout the Detroit metro area including:
- Downtown Detroit and Midtown
- Corktown and Southwest Detroit
- East Side and Jefferson Chalmers
- Brightmoor and Rosedale Park
- Grandmont and Warrendale
- Indian Village and New Center
- Rouge Park and surrounding areas
- Communities along 8 Mile and beyond
Services We Provide
- Residential and commercial demolition
- Selective demolition and interior demolition
- Excavation and site preparation
- Land clearing and lot clearing
- Clearing and grubbing
- Grading and leveling
- Driveway removal and installation prep
- Pool removal
- Dirt work and drainage correction
Whether you’re a homeowner clearing out an old garage or a developer prepping a commercial site, we’ve got the crew and equipment to handle it.
Call JS Wrecking Co today at (313) 251-8774or visit jswrecking.comto get started.
Ready to Get Your Project Started?
We know you’ve got options when searching for trenching companies or basement excavation contractors. But if you want an excavating contractor in Ann Arbor who actually shows up, does the work right, and doesn’t leave you guessing about the bill… we’d love to hear from you.
Whether you’re a homeowner with a backyard project or a developer with a commercial construction site that needs prep work, we handle it all. Big or small, complicated or straightforward. Just give us a call and tell us what you’re working with.
What Happens When You Reach Out
It’s pretty simple honestly. You call or fill out the form, we chat about your projects, and then we come take a look. No pressure. No obligation. Just a real conversation about what you need and how we can help with your site preparation needs.
Get In Touch With JS Wrecking Co
Ready to talk about your excavation, site clearing, or grading project? Here’s how to contact us:
- Phone: (734) 887-1040
- Services and Info: JS Wrecking Co Ann Arbor
Give us a call today. We’ll answer your questions, talk through your project, and get you a straightforward estimate. No runaround. Just real answers from the folks who’ll actually be doing the work.