Professional Excavation Services
Precise excavation and site preparation for safer, smoother construction projects. At True North Grading LLC, we help homeowners get their property ready for new builds, driveways, drainage work, and more.
Precise excavation and site preparation for safer, smoother construction projects. At True North Grading LLC, we help homeowners get their property ready for new builds, driveways, drainage work, and more.
When you call, we set a time to walk your property, discuss grades, access, soil conditions, drainage, and excavation goals. We send a reminder text the day before and a courtesy text before arrival. On site, we measure, review the dig plan, and give
After the visit, we email your official estimate that night so you can approve or decline it easily. We’re happy to adjust the scope when possible to fit your budget. Once approved, a 10% deposit gets you on our schedule, and we map out equipment,
We complete the excavation with careful earthmoving, site prep, and grade control to support a safe, smooth build. Whether it’s for a new home, driveway site prep, backfilling, or drainage improvements, we keep the site clean and the work efficient.
Fast estimates, clear communication, and precise site prep for a smooth build.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Many of our excavation jobs are tied to residential construction and property improvements. Homeowners often call us for:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Answers to common questions homeowners ask about excavation, site prep, timing, pricing, and what it’s like to work with True North Grading LLC.
We handle residential excavation for projects like new home site prep, backfilling, rough grading, land clearing, driveway site prep, and drainage-related digging. A lot of our work is helping homeowners get their property ready before construction starts and then finish the grading after the house goes up. Our goal is simple: make the site safe, functional, and ready for the next step.
It starts with a phone call to talk through your project. Then we set a time to meet on site, walk the property, take measurements, and go over your goals. We send a reminder text the day before, and we also send a courtesy text when we’re on the way. In most cases, we can work up the bid on site in about 15 to 20 minutes, and we email the official estimate that night so you can approve or decline it. A 10% deposit gets your project on the schedule.
Yes. If the first scope comes in higher than you hoped, we ask that you call us before declining the estimate. In many cases, we can adjust the scope, phase the work, or recommend a practical option that better fits your budget. We believe in being straightforward and helping homeowners make smart decisions for their property.
In most cases, yes. Proper excavation and grading are what create a solid base for a new home site, driveway, drainage plan, and overall yard layout. If this part is rushed or done poorly, it can lead to drainage issues, soft spots, uneven surfaces, and extra costs later. We focus on precise earthmoving and site preparation so your project starts on the right footing.
That depends on the size of the site, soil conditions, access, weather, and the type of work being done. Smaller jobs may move quickly, while larger site prep or land clearing projects can take longer. After we see the property, we can give you a realistic timeline and explain what to expect. We believe clear communication matters, so we keep you updated throughout the job.
We’re a locally owned company based in Lake City, and we take pride in serving homeowners across the surrounding area with honest communication and hands-on service. We make the process easy with reminder texts, on-site walkthroughs, same-day written bids, and clear next steps. We’re not here to oversell you. We’re here to help make your property more functional and your project smoother from start to finish. If you’re planning excavation work, call True North Grading LLC at (231) 878-6056 to get your estimate scheduled.
Real feedback on grading, excavation, and site prep done right and built to last.
"Honest guys who takes pride in his work and goes above and beyond to make sure is customers are satisfied! Would recommend to anyone!"
"True North is honest and reliable, great communication and top notch service. Gets the job done and is off to the next one."
"Cody and Paul did an awesome job upgrading our two driveways. Went above and beyond to make sure we were happy with how we wanted it. Great communication. Very detailed and made sure everything was cleaned up before they left. Would highly recommend them!!"
"I could easily repeat what other reviews have stated because they are true. From the moment that first contact was made until after I paid what was owed, it was clear that I was working with knowledgeable people who were very able and willing to solve my driveway problem. I wish that I could put in this review before and after pictures of my driveway, but that would require technical skill that I haven't attained. It would most definitely exceed what I have written. My driveway now has a service provider and that brings me comfort."
"Cody came out to level our driveway after concrete was added. He was super quick and his communication was great! Would recommend to anyone!!"
"Cody did a great job! Very affordable and dependable. Highly recommend him to anyone!"
"Great service quick service would recommend to anyone"
"Cody and his pop, Paul arrived before I finished my first cup of coffee. On time and ready to go. I appreciate that work ethic. Cody did a great job of leveling the driveway and evenly spreading a driveway mix. Overall an excellent and efficient job. I would highly recommend Cody for any land clearing and driveway work."
"Cody and his crew were hired to grade and spread gravel to the existing gravel portion of our driveway. They showed up on time, did exactly what they had told me they would do and stuck to the original price quoted. If you are in need of any Gravel driveway repair, grading work, land clearing or anything else associated, True North Grading is the company that I would call. I would 100% recommend this company to anyone that’s looking to get some work done."
"Amazing job! One trip around the property with me explaining what I wanted it to look like. Not even 5 days later I'm putting food plot seed down and building my range."
"Cody worked on a property we own for two full days. On both days, he was punctual and professional. He is incredibly knowledgeable about which of his machine attachments will work best as well as how to use his time in the smartest way possible. Seeing our property from start to finish was a huge difference - it went from a huge overgrown mess with countless trailer loads of wood to a cleared area of level dirt. I would recommend Cody and True North Grading any day - you won't be disappointed"
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I can't say enough good things about True North Grading! After all the heavy rain washed out our gravel driveway, they came out quickly and completely transformed it. They took the time to smooth everything out, properly grade the driveway, and add fresh gravel where it was needed. The difference is incredible—not only does it look great, but it's much safer and easier to drive on. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and quality of work really stood out. It's clear they take pride in what they do. If you're looking for someone reliable to repair, grade, or improve your driveway, I highly recommend True North Grading. Excellent service, fair pricing, and outstanding results. Thank you for a job well done! 🚜👏🏽🏡"
"Cody did outstanding work!"
"Super quick to answer questions and to get me scheduled after a quote! Added some curb appeal back to our home!"
"This spring we decided to go with True North Grading to give our garden a makeover. Cody did a great job, he was very professional and had a great game plan as to how we could regenerate the soil. We will be having him back in the very near future to do a few more projects!"
"Cody was amazing to work with. We didn't really know what we wanted to do with our driveway, so he quoted us for two different things. We will definitely use him again for more projects."
"Did amazing job! Highly recommended"
"I was impressed with the time spent explaining my options for improving my drive. Cody was very honest in offering differing materials and what I could expect from them. I chose crushed concrete and it turned out excellent. No puddles when it rained and looks great. I secured 3 bids last fall but all said it was too late in the season. All assured me that they would touch base this Spring. Cody is the only one to follow up. Highly recommend!! Father son team was a pleasure too. Local is always the way to go."
"Cody was very conscientious about doing an excellent job of filling and grading our taxiway. It was full of ruts and mud holes to the point of being unpassable. He brought a clay/gravel mixture and filled everything in. It rained before it set, so he came back twice to make sure it was perfectly done. I highly recommend True North Grading."
"We had True North add gravel and grade our driveway. I never realized how bad it was until Cody made it great. The true test is a Michigan winter. It held up great and cut my snow removal time in half."
"Great customer service! Dependable & honest! Will use again!"
"True North Grading has been taking care of our gravel drive at Cardinal Creations, and we have been very pleased. Very professional, and their work has held up very well. Highly recommend."
"Cody from True North Grading installed my driveway for my new build in lake city. He did great work and was very responsive. I would definitely recommend him. If I have any future jobs, he will be the one I call."
"Great service and communication. Recommend!"
"I was very pleased with the work that Cody did filling in gravel and grading of drive. Will certainly call on True North Grading if needed in the future"
