What Contractors Are Saying About Excavation Marketing This Summer

“Is It Just Me?”

You’re looking at your schedule, the sun’s out, your equipment’s ready… but the phone isn’t ringing like you thought it would.

Meanwhile, you’re seeing other guys in the area booked solid. And you start asking yourself:

“Is it just me? Is there something I’m missing?”

If that thought has crossed your mind this summer, you’re not alone.

We’ve had dozens of conversations with excavation and septic contractors from across the U.S. in the past 90 days, and here’s what we’ve learned:

Everyone is trying to figure out marketing.

Some are finally getting results. Others are frustrated, burned out, and ready to give up on ads altogether. Most are somewhere in between—hoping the next lead is a good one.

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we live in this world every day. We’re not a big agency. We’re a hands-on team obsessed with helping contractors book better jobs and scale with systems—not guesswork.

So today, we’re sharing what real contractors are saying about excavation marketing this summer—what’s working, what’s not, and how to take control before the season slips away.

2. The Summer Surge (and the Struggle to Keep Up)

Summer is the go-time in this business. Homeowners want projects done before school starts. Builders want sites prepped before bad weather. And you want the jobs that actually pay well.

But here’s what a lot of contractors are facing:

• Word-of-mouth dried up.
  

• Facebook ads that used to work stopped converting.
  

• They’re getting traffic to their site but not getting calls.
  

• They tried Google Ads, but it just drained the wallet.
  

Even guys doing $1M+/year are feeling it. Some tell us they’re busier than ever but stressed because they’re saying yes to low-margin jobs just to stay busy. Others say they finally figured out what works, but only after wasting months testing the wrong stuff.

So, what are they actually saying?

Let’s get into the real feedback we’re hearing from the field.

3. Real Talk: What Contractors Are Actually Saying Right Now

These are actual quotes or summaries from the excavation pros we talk to every week:

“I tried Facebook. Nothing.”

A lot of guys tried boosting posts or using DIY ad templates. Most of the time? No calls or just people asking, “How much for a quick job?” with no intent to hire.

What they didn’t realize is that Facebook changed. It’s no longer “set it and forget it.” You need real job footage, custom targeting, and follow-up systems—or it fizzles out fast.

“Google Ads are finally paying off.”

We’ve seen a trend: Contractors who stuck with Google Search Ads (and improved their targeting) started seeing better leads in June and July.

Why? Because high-intent keywords like “septic install near me” or “driveway excavation [city]” are still the top way homeowners find and hire local pros—if your ad is done right.

“Word of mouth slowed down.”

One contractor told us:

“We’ve always relied on referrals. But this summer, they dried up. I realized I can’t keep depending on other people to keep my business busy.”

This is the wake-up call for many: You can’t control referrals. But you can control your visibility and lead flow with smart marketing.

“I didn’t think marketing would work for dirt work.”

We hear this a lot. Excavation doesn’t seem flashy. You’re not selling countertops or fancy kitchens.

But the truth is: homeowners need site work, drainage, ponds, driveways, and septic systems—and they go online to find someone they trust to do it.

We’ve helped contractors land $10K–$50K+ jobs with nothing more than a few good ads and a solid follow-up system. It does work—if it’s built right.

“I’m booked out 3 weeks now.”

And yes, some guys are winning big.

These are the contractors who:

• Show up on Google when someone searches.
  

• Have jobsite videos on Facebook that feel real.
  

• Follow up with every lead (not just the hot ones).
  

• Track what’s working and double down on it.
  

These contractors aren’t “better” than you—they’ve just built a system instead of guessing.

4. Lessons From the Field: What We’ve Learned Helping Contractors This Summer

Here are a few patterns we’ve seen in working with contractors across the country:

The guys with tracking win.

If you know what lead came from what ad, you stop wasting money fast.

Boosting posts rarely works.

Facebook rewards real video and clear offers. Not generic stock photos with “Call Now.”

Calls > Clicks.

The best leads still come from phone calls, not just form fills. Ads should be built around getting the phone to ring.

Not showing your work kills trust.

When homeowners see a real dozer on a real job, they believe you. No flashy production needed. Just keep it real.

5. What’s Actually Working Right Now (and Why)

Here’s what’s consistently producing quality leads and booked jobs in Q3 of this year:

Local SEO & Google Business Profile

Showing up in the “map pack” on Google is still one of the best ways to get free leads. Contractors with good reviews, updated profiles, and photos are getting calls—daily.

Video-based Facebook Ads

Forget polished commercials. Just record your crew grading a lot, digging a trench, or clearing land. Add a caption like:

“Need a septic system installed this summer? Call now for a free quote.”

Then run it as a Facebook ad in your service area. It works.

High-Intent Google Search Campaigns

Target keywords like:

• “septic installer near me”
  

• “land clearing contractor [city]”
  

• “pond excavation company”
  

Pair that with a simple landing page and call tracking, and you’ve got a repeatable lead machine.

Follow-Up Systems That Win More Jobs

Most leads ghost you because you didn’t follow up fast enough.

Smart contractors use tools that:

• Send a text the second someone fills out a form.
  

• Email quotes automatically.
  

• Remind prospects to book their site visit.
  

These small steps often double your close rate.

6. Final Thoughts: Marketing Shouldn’t Feel Like a Gamble

We get it—most excavation contractors don’t want to “play marketer.” You want to do the work, serve your customers, and grow a solid business.

But this summer has proven one thing:

If you’re not in control of your lead flow, you’re always guessing.

The guys who are booked out are the ones who built visibility, tracked results, and created a system that doesn’t fall apart when referrals dry up.

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we’re not here to promise magic. We’re here to help you stop spinning your wheels, and finally get a simple plan that works—customized to your service area, your services, and your goals.

Ready to See What’s Working for Contractors Like You?

Let’s hop on a free strategy call. No pressure. No pitches. Just a quick look at what’s working, what’s not, and how to get leads flowing again.

👉 Book Your Free Visibility Check