Sewer Excavation & Dig Services in Franklin & Nashville, TN
Sewer excavation is traditional open-trench sewer repair or replacement, used when a line cannot be repaired trenchlessly — a fully collapsed run, a line that must be re-routed, or a grade that must be corrected.
What It Is
We are a trenchless-first contractor, so we recommend excavation only when it genuinely is the right call, and we handle the permitting, replacement, and full restoration ourselves.
How It Works — Our Process
Our excavation process is single-crew start to finish:
A Camera Inspection
A camera inspection and sonde locating to confirm excavation is necessary and mark the line
Permit Pull
Permit pull with Metro Nashville Water Services or the county water department
Targeted Excavation Along
Targeted excavation along the located line path
Replacement
Replacement of the damaged section or full line with up-to-code pipe and fittings that pass inspection
A Final Camera Pass
A final camera pass and full restoration of the disturbed area
When You Need It
Excavation is the right call when a camera inspection shows a fully collapsed line over a long run, a line that needs to be re-routed, a bellied section that needs its grade corrected, or a pipe that must be upsized. When the pipe can still be lined or burst, we choose trenchless instead.
Pricing & Method Details
See the full hub for methods, pricing, and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is excavation actually necessary?
When a line is fully collapsed over a long length, must be re-routed, needs grade correction, or must be upsized. If the pipe still holds its shape, we line or burst it instead of digging.
How much does sewer excavation cost?
A full dig-and-replace for a typical 80-foot residential line is $8,000–$10,000 (80-ft typical residential, depending on depth, transitions, and fittings), depending on depth, transitions, and fittings; a sectional excavation repair is $3,000–$5,000.
Will you restore my yard after digging?
Yes. Restoration of the disturbed area is part of the job, and we use up-to-code fittings that pass inspection so the repair is permanent.
Do I need a permit for sewer excavation?
Typically yes. We pull the required permit from Metro Nashville Water Services or the relevant county department as part of the project.
Find Out What Your Line Needs.
Every job starts with a free camera inspection so you see the real condition before any work. Call or text (629) 276-6322.