Professional Excavation Services

At True North Grading LLC, we provide excavation services for homeowners who need a site prepared the right way from the start. Excavation is one of the most important steps in any building or property improvement project. If the digging, grading, and earthmoving are not done correctly, it can cause drainage problems, unstable surfaces, and costly delays later. We focus on precise site preparation so your project has a safe, solid, and workable foundation.

We are based in Lake City and work with homeowners throughout the surrounding area, especially for new home builds and property improvements before and after construction. Whether you need land opened up for a future home, soil moved for access and usability, backfilling around a foundation, or rough grading to prepare for the next phase of work, we bring hands-on experience and a practical approach to every job.

What our excavation service includes

Excavation is more than just digging a hole. It is the process of shaping the land so the rest of your project can move forward smoothly. Depending on the property and goals, our excavation work may include:

• Site preparation for new home construction
• Earthmoving and rough grading
• Backfilling around foundations and structures
• Driveway site prep and grading
• Land clearing before excavation begins
• Drainage-focused grading to help control water flow
• Removal of unsuitable soil or material
• Preparing building pads and usable yard areas

Every property is different, so we take the time to walk the site with you and understand exactly what you need. Some customers call us before a house goes up. Others need help after the build is complete and the lot is left rough, uneven, or hard to use. We handle both.

Why proper excavation matters

Good excavation work sets the tone for the entire project. When the grade is right and the site is properly prepared, it helps with drainage, access, safety, and long-term performance. This is especially important in residential projects where poor grading can lead to standing water, erosion, muddy areas, or trouble with driveways and yard use.

Our goal is to make your property more functional. That means we do not just move dirt. We look at how the land needs to work for your home, your driveway, your drainage, and your day-to-day use. A well-prepared site can help prevent future headaches and make the next steps of construction much easier.

Our process

We keep the process simple, clear, and personal. When you call, we talk through the project and set up a time for an on-site estimate. The day before the appointment, we send a reminder text to confirm. About 15 to 60 minutes before arrival, we send a courtesy text to let you know we are on the way. We pride ourselves on being respectful of your time and easy to work with.

Once on site, we walk the property with you, listen to your vision, take measurements, and determine the scope of work. We look at the layout, elevation, access, material movement, and any drainage concerns that may affect the excavation plan. In most cases, we can calculate a bid on the spot in about 15 to 20 minutes depending on project size and complexity. We then present the estimate in person, and an official written estimate is emailed that night with the option to approve or decline.

If the estimate comes in higher than expected, we encourage customers to call before declining. In many cases, we can adjust the scope to better fit the budget while still moving the project forward. A 10% deposit is required to get on the schedule.

Common residential excavation projects

Many of our excavation jobs are tied to residential construction and property improvements. Homeowners often call us for:

• Preparing lots for new home construction
• Clearing and opening up land before a build
• Backfilling after foundation work
• Grading around the home for better water runoff
• Preparing for a new driveway installation
• Correcting rough or uneven ground left after construction
• Creating a smoother, more usable yard

Because we also provide land clearing, driveway site prep and new driveway installs, and drainage solutions, we can often help with the bigger picture instead of just one isolated part of the project. That can save time, reduce confusion, and make the whole job run more smoothly.

What you can expect from us

As a locally owned company based in Lake City, we take pride in serving our community with a high-touch, professional approach. Customers choose us because we communicate well, show up prepared, and treat people with respect. We believe the little things matter, from reminder texts to same-day written estimates to taking the time to understand what you want out of your property.

We are straightforward about what excavation can and cannot do. While we do not offer a warranty and cannot guarantee against weather-related damage such as heavy rain washouts, we do focus on doing the job carefully and correctly based on the conditions present at the time of the work. Honest communication matters, especially in excavation and grading where site conditions and weather play a major role.

Service area

We are based in Lake City and prefer to serve local homeowners in and around Lake City, McBain, Cadillac, Leroy, Manton, Fife Lake, Kingsley, Kalkaska, Grayling, Houghton Lake, Lake, Prudenville, and Merritt. If you are planning a new build or need excavation to improve how your property works, we are ready to take a look.

Get an excavation estimate

If you need excavation for a new home build, backfilling, rough grading, site prep, or related earthmoving work, call True North Grading LLC at (231) 878-6056. We will talk through your project, schedule an on-site visit, and provide a clear estimate. If you want a contractor who is local, responsive, and focused on making your property more functional, we would be glad to help.