Excavation and removal of contaminated soil is used for localized contamination and point source removal. It is a fundamental, frontline remediation method involving the removal of contaminated soil and media, which are typically shipped off-site for treatment and/or disposal. This method is also used for the removal as well as the abandonment of underground structures that are out of compliance or identified as a potential or actual point source of contamination.

Excavation shoring is an integrated scheduling method for installing modified precast building columns, first floor grade slab and supporting beams prior to site excavation, and to use these components, together with specialized shoring panels and/or modified exterior wall panels, which are installed simultaneously with the excavation, and together with underground floor structures and beams, as a shoring system during excavation. The shoring or wall panels are forced downwardly to support the excavation sides as excavation proceeds downwards, avoiding the necessity of a conventional shoring system.

Excavators are used for underground utility construction like trenching. For trenching, the operator fills the bucket and dumps to the side above grade. It is used for digging and dumping into a dump truck or a pile. Excavators can accommodate numerous attachments such as pinches for lifting logs or pipes, a jacket hammer for busting up concrete or compacted soil, or a magnet for metal materials moving. Excavator attachments are similar to backhoe attachments and are run by hydraulics. Small excavators can be used for small shallow holes and big excavators for big deep holes.