Excavating contractor · Denver, CO · reviewed since 2018
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%92+63.7Reliability 31%90+27.7Craft & service penalty48−5.2Experts Score= 86Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.86SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#11 of 41 backhoe servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 75%
4.9★★★★★41 Google reviews · 11 photos
98%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc. 4.9 out of 5 based on 41 reviews, with the owner responding to 29 percent of feedback. Customers frequently cite punctuality, clear communication, fair pricing, and professional execution for services including grading, drainage correction, retaining walls, and irrigation systems. One low-star review notes a missed initial appointment and lack of contact, though the owner apologized and rescheduled the estimate.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 41 reviews (98% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 41 Google reviews (39 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 29% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 3, 2026.
Service: Backhoe Service serving Denver, Colorado.
Data from Google, last updated November 2, 2026.
Score profile vs other backhoe services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: craft & service.
This companyBackhoe Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc.: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 77.A
92
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc.: 90/100 on this factor. Category median: 76.A
90
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc.: 48/100 on this factor. Category median: 68.C
48
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 83.–
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MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc.: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 26.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
41 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars4098%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star12%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 39 written reviews
97%praise
Praise9997%
Complaints33%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude2020%
Quality & results1717%
Would recommend1616%
Communication1414%
Price & value1313%
Speed & response1212%
Honesty & trust1010%
What customers talk about
We read 39 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“What a skilled group of really nice and respectful guys.”
“The craftsmanship and attention to detail far exceeded what I expected.”
“…tually answers the phone, gives you their word and follows through, look no further than this top notch company with values and a moral compass.…”
“They communicated with us daily throughout the project, and stayed on budget with their quote.”
“It was failing, sitting right on the property line, and came with its fair share of complications.”
“Work was done in time, very professionally, very quickly and cleanly.”
“They communicated clearly, managed the neighbor-line logistics smoothly, and delivered a finished wall that honestly blew me away.”
People customers mention
Hugh14 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
JJonLocal Guide · 27 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Isaac is a professional and knowledgeable man who keeps the teams equipment humming. Great guy!
BBlase6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 7 months ago★★★★★
We purchased a 125 -year-old house with foundation issues caused by poor drainage. Hugh and his team did a terrific job correcting the sloping around our house. They communicated with us daily throughout the project, and stayed on budget with their quote.
We would recommend them and use them again.
LLizLocal Guide · 15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 8 months ago★★★★★
We had an old retaining wall that had clearly seen better decades. It was failing, sitting right on the property line, and came with its fair share of complications. Not exactly a simple tear-out-and-replace job.
Hugh and his team handled it with total professionalism from start to finish. They communicated…
VVictor5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
We decided to remove our swimming pool. Our pool has very limited access. Finally we found Grade A Excavation and we were lucky. Mike and Hugh suggested pretty genius approach for solving a problem. They kept their promises about price, time. Work was done in time, very professionally, very quickly and cleanly. Crew…
RRoss9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Hugh was great to deal with. He explained all the job details and then his crew executed it very well. When I went by to review the final result there was nothing overlooked.
KKristine13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
I have worked with Hugh at Grade A Excavation & Landscape for all my landscaping needs over the last three years. He and his crew redid the patio and graded it for water run off in a very tight space. They worked patiently with us to get it done so that it was functional and safe. They also did my landscaping out…
Hugh should change the name of his company to "Grade A+". There is no hype, no exaggeration here as one can tell from the consistent 5 star ratings. Our job was no exception, and quite an outlier. We had a 130 long concrete driveway which we wanted replaced with TrueGrid porous pavers. As best as I can tell, Hugh's company is the only TrueGrid certified installer in the Denver Metro Region. Hiding underneath all of that cracked and heaving concrete was a nightmare of notorious wet clay.
Hugh and his team worked tirelessly to overcome the daunting problems thrown at them by this muck. The end product not only looks amazing, we feel so much better about removing 1800 sq ft of impervious concrete and having a driveway which will allow rain and snow to percolate back into the ground.
A big shoutout to his team: Kevin, Isaac & Luis. What a skilled group of really nice and respectful guys.
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thank you, Lance, for this wonderful review and for sharing the full project story. We’re thrilled the driveway looks great and is helping with stormwater percolation. We’ll be sure to pass your shoutout to Hugh, Kevin, Isaac and Luis, they will appreciate it. It was a pleasure working with you.
J
Jon WachterLocal Guide · 27 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jon has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We purchased a 125 -year-old house with foundation issues caused by poor drainage. Hugh and his team did a terrific job correcting the sloping around our house. They communicated with us daily throughout the project, and stayed on budget with their quote.
We would recommend them and use them again.
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Thank you, Blase. We're thrilled to hear Hugh and the team resolved the drainage and sloping issues on your 125-year-old home. We appreciate you noting our daily communication and that we stayed on budget. Your recommendation means a lot, and we look forward to helping you again if you need anything else.
L
Liz GeislemanLocal Guide · 15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Liz has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had an old retaining wall that had clearly seen better decades. It was failing, sitting right on the property line, and came with its fair share of complications. Not exactly a simple tear-out-and-replace job.
Hugh and his team handled it with total professionalism from start to finish. They communicated clearly, managed the neighbor-line logistics smoothly, and delivered a finished wall that honestly blew me away. The craftsmanship and attention to detail far exceeded what I expected.
If you need retaining wall work or excavation done right the first time, Grade A is the real deal—reliable, fair, and highly skilled. I’ll absolutely be calling them again when we tackle the backyard.
Response from the owner · 8 months ago
Thank you so much, Liz, for the fantastic review and for trusting us with such a complicated retaining wall project. I’m glad our team’s communication and neighbor-line coordination made the process smoother and that the finished wall exceeded your expectations. We appreciate the recognition of our craftsmanship and look forward to helping with your backyard when you’re ready.
V
Victor Slonim5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Victor has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We decided to remove our swimming pool. Our pool has very limited access. Finally we found Grade A Excavation and we were lucky. Mike and Hugh suggested pretty genius approach for solving a problem. They kept their promises about price, time. Work was done in time, very professionally, very quickly and cleanly. Crew was very respectful, hardworking. They clean up area every day. We were happy with results. When work was finished we wanted to improve our front yard areas. We had an additonal contract with Grade A and they done fantastic job while all heavy machinery was there. I would highly recommend this company. Really example of caring, inventive and hard working professionals.
R
Ross Pokorny9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ross has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hugh was great to deal with. He explained all the job details and then his crew executed it very well. When I went by to review the final result there was nothing overlooked.
K
Kristine Pankow13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kristine has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I have worked with Hugh at Grade A Excavation & Landscape for all my landscaping needs over the last three years. He and his crew redid the patio and graded it for water run off in a very tight space. They worked patiently with us to get it done so that it was functional and safe. They also did my landscaping out front and helped me create a beautiful space for my garden. The crew were always respectful and hard workers. At one point they drove all over town to find me the right stones to match what I had. He also put down a walkway on the side of our house to protect the foundation and did a beautiful job of matching the flow of everything existing around it. I highly recommend Grade A Excavation & Landscape.
J
Jennifer Kelley8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jennifer has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Grade A Excavation is one if not the best company I have had the pleasure to work with! Hugh and his team went above and beyond to help us out. We had our front yard leveled and had mulch put down and it looks amazing! Don't hesitate to reach out to this company and get your projects done right. They are knowledgeable and caring and their communication is top notch!
R
Rock Pool USA1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Rock has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Grade A Excavation's service, communication and leadership is second to none. Without there knowledge, leadership and forward thinking on a jobsite, we would not have accomplished the timely and successful installation of a very large inground swimming pool there in Colorado. If you want a reliable company who actually answers the phone, gives you their word and follows through, look no further than this top notch company with values and a moral compass.
S
Susie Lindquist3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Susie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have worked with grade A twice and they are knowledgeable hard working and respectful. Their pricing is not over the top and they are caring and anxious to meet your needs and have a professional result.
