62/100CR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Best Excavating Contractors in Hickory, NC (2026)
77 excavating contractors ranked by CR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Hickory: 3 George's Grading Company, CR Score 62/100; 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews; open 24/7.
- 2
Best for emergencies (open 24/7): Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 77.
- 2
Most-reviewed: Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup, 792 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 77 ranked; ranked #2.
Rankings can't be bought. Contractors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
77 Hickory excavating contractors are ranked here by CR Score, from ten published factors. 16 are open 24/7, 46 open Saturdays and 22 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 77 rated businesses.
Top 10 excavating contractors in Hickory at a glance
| Rank | Business | CR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 George's Grading Company | 62 | 5.0★ (28) | Hickory | 24/7 | Overall |
| 2 | Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup | 61 | 4.7★ (792) | Hickory | 24/7 | Emergencies, Most reviews |
| 3 | Morgan Grading & Septic Services | 58 | 5.0★ (29) | Hickory | 24/7 | — |
| 4 | Travis Hauling & Grading LLC | 58 | 4.2★ (5) | Hickory | 24/7 | — |
| 5 | Catawba Valley Septic & Grading | 58 | 5.0★ (25) | Hickory | 24/7 | — |
| 6 | OCD Landworks | 57 | 5.0★ (20) | Lenoir, 8 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
| 7 | Siemer Grading LLC | 57 | 5.0★ (21) | Hickory | 24/7 | — |
| 8 | Southern Site Works & Hauling, LLC | 57 | 5.0★ (15) | Hickory | Sat | — |
| 9 | Williams Septic & Grading | 57 | 5.0★ (12) | Morganton, 12 mi away | 24/7 | — |
| 10 | Kward Grading & Utilities | 57 | 5.0★ (11) | Statesville, 12 mi away | 24/7 | — |
The 77 best excavating contractors in Hickory, ranked
Ordered by CR Score, a 0–100 score from ten published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Based in Hickory
61/100CR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 792 Google reviews, the most in Hickory.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
58/100CR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Septic system service”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
58/100CR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
58/100CR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Septic system service”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Lenoir, 8 mi away
57/100CR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
57/100CR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Demolition contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
57/100CR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Morganton, 12 mi away
57/100CR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Statesville, 12 mi away
57/100CR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
#11 DLD Grading LLC
Based in Lincolnton, 12 mi away
57/100CR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
56/100CR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 58 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Demolition contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Lenoir, 6 mi away
56/100CR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
56/100CR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 3.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
55/100CR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 3.4★ from 20 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 7 of 10 factors; credentials, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Morganton, 19 mi away
55/100CR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 298 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Morganton, 19 mi away
55/100CR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Lake Norman of Catawba, 24 mi away
55/100CR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 4.9★ from 44 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Morganton, 11 mi away
55/100CR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Lincolnton, 11 mi away
54/100CR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
#21 Otto Enterprises
Based in Hickory
54/100CR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and availability: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, open 24/7.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
#22 JP Dirt
Based in Newton, 12 mi away
54/100CR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
#23 Smith Mine
Based in Lincolnton, 14 mi away
54/100CR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Morganton, 19 mi away
54/100CR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 4.9★ from 31 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Excavating contractor”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Based in Hickory
53/100CR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and trade focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Landscaper”.
Based on 8 of 10 factors; credentials and recency not yet collected.
Excavating contractors ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in CR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 77 ranked excavating contractors here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Hickory
20 more excavating contractors within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a trade we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 438 Grading & Hauling LLC | 5.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Concrete Contractor Hickory | 5.0★ (5) | In Hickory |
| Construction Brothers LLC | 5.0★ (24) | In Hickory |
| Ducks Landscaping and Grading | 1.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Foothills Masonry & Excavating | In Hickory | |
| Harris Grading | 4.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Homes & More LLC | In Hickory | |
| J A Bradshaw Construction Co | 5.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| J L Construction | In Hickory | |
| Je Excavations | 5.0★ (2) | In Hickory |
| Jonathan D Payne Excavation | In Hickory | |
| Lail Grading&Septic | 5.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Lakeshore Grading & Landscapes | 5.0★ (2) | In Hickory |
| Local Concrete of Hickory | 5.0★ (15) | In Hickory |
| Relia-Built Construction & Remodeling | 4.6★ (22) | In Hickory |
| Robert Hildebran Grading | 3.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Rocking W Septic, Grading & Hauling LLC | In Hickory | |
| TG Grading & Landscaping | 5.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Walker Logistics Grading & Excavation | 5.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
| Wesdyk Plumbing, LLC | 5.0★ (1) | In Hickory |
How we ranked Hickory excavating contractors
We scored 77 Hickory excavating contractors on ten factors, weighted as shown. A business is ranked when its trade is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A business with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 3, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Featured businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Hickory data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Credentials | 15% | Active state license, bond and workers’ comp on file | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed business on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, 24/7 or same-day | Measured |
| Trade focus | 10% | How clearly the business does this trade (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The business has claimed its ContractorsRanked profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The business links to ContractorsRanked from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
| ContractorsRanked reviews | 10% | Verified customer reviews collected by ContractorsRanked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
Excavating contractors in Hickory: frequently asked questions
Who is the best excavating contractor in Hickory?
By CR Score, the highest-ranked excavating contractor in Hickory, NC is 3 George's Grading Company with a CR Score of 62/100. It has 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (#2) and Morgan Grading & Septic Services (#3) follow. We ranked 77 excavating contractors on ten factors, last updated November 3, 2026.
How many excavating contractors are there in Hickory?
ContractorsRanked ranks 77 excavating contractors serving Hickory, NC. 19 of them are based in Hickory; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which excavating contractors in Hickory are open 24/7?
16 ranked excavating contractors in Hickory post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are 3 George's Grading Company (#1), Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (#2) and Morgan Grading & Septic Services (#3). Hours come from each business's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which excavating contractors in Hickory work on weekends?
46 of 77 ranked excavating contractors post Saturday hours and 22 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are 3 George's Grading Company (#1), Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (#2) and Morgan Grading & Septic Services (#3). Posted hours are office hours; crews may book weekend jobs separately.
What Google rating do Hickory excavating contractors have?
The median Google rating among 77 rated excavating contractors in Hickory is 5.0★, with a median of 11 reviews. Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup has the most, 792 reviews, and ranks #2. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does ContractorsRanked rank excavating contractors?
Each excavating contractor gets a 0–100 CR Score from ten published factors, led by reputation (25%), credentials (15%), review volume (10%) and trade focus (10%). A business with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only businesses with a confirmed trade and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do excavating contractors outside Hickory count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Hickory city center, our service radius for excavating contractors. Each listing shows where the business is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the CR Score, so a nearby business gets a small edge.
Can excavating contractors pay to rank higher on ContractorsRanked?
No. The CR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured businesses may appear above the list, labelled Featured and showing their honest rank.
Update log for Hickory
- November 2026: CR Scores recalculated for 77 excavating contractors serving Hickory.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More excavating contractors and Hickory pages
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