Hiring an excavation contractor in Minnesota
Gradeline lists 1,354 excavating and site work contractors in Minnesota across 85 counties. This guide covers the Minnesota rules that affect a dig: frost depth and 811 notice through Gopher State One Call.
What to know before you hire in Minnesota
4.5★
Know what a good rating looks like here
Minnesota contractors average 4.5 stars on Google. Shortlist crews at 4.5 or better with a solid review count (233 qualify), and treat anything under 4.0 as a red flag.
100 in
Footings go below the frost line
Frost reaches about 100 inches in Minnesota. Any bid for footings, foundations, or buried lines should dig at least that deep. If the depth is not written in the quote, ask.
2 days
Utilities get marked before digging
Minnesota law requires 2 business days notice to 811 (Gopher State One Call) before any digging. Ask whether your contractor files the request, and plan the start date around the wait.
36%
Most listed contractors have no website
Only 36% of listed Minnesota contractors run their own site. Judge them on reviews, photos, and years in business rather than web polish, and get at least three written quotes.
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Get free quotesArea-specific FAQ
How far in advance do I need to call before digging in Minnesota?
At least 2 working days. Gopher State One Call takes locate requests statewide and has underground utilities marked before any excavation. Hitting an unmarked gas or power line can injure the crew and lead to costly repairs.
How deep do footings need to be in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, footings typically need to extend below the frost line, which is around 100 inches here. A local contractor will confirm the code requirement for your site.
When is the best time of year to dig in Minnesota?
The frost line in Minnesota is around 100 inches, so the ground freezes hard in winter. Most digging happens from spring through fall, once the thaw dries sites out.
