HydroExcavation

What HydroExcavation does

HydroExcavation.com is a privately held, two-sided online directory and marketplace for the hydro excavation (hydrovac) industry, founded in 2007 and operating continuously for 19+ years from North Billerica, Massachusetts with governing law in Nevada. The platform connects end customers needing non-destructive digging services (potholing, daylighting, utility exposure, slot trenching, pipeline excavation, slurry management, catch basin cleaning, pole hole excavation) with two distinct supplier segments: (1) hydro excavation service companies, which gain exclusive local area placement limited to one provider per town/city, and (2) manufacturers and suppliers of hydrovac trucks, vacuum excavation equipment, nozzles, tanks, pumps, hoses, solidification products, and financing services, who appear in a separate searchable directory.

The underlying technology is conventional web platform architecture built on WordPress (visible from /wp-content/ paths in URLs and a /wp-admin/ login), offering ZIP-code-based local search, an information library of 86 educational articles, integrated reviews from Yelp/Google/Angie's List/HomeAdvisor, social media channels (Facebook, Twitter), and a direct phone contact funnel. The company itself does not develop or supply hydro excavation equipment; rather, it indexes and curates third-party providers and manufacturers, generating subscription revenue from both buyer sides.

Revenue mechanics rely entirely on recurring subscription fees with no transaction commissions disclosed. Service companies pay an annual fee starting at $79 plus $0.12 per 1,000 population covered; manufacturers pay $299/year for standard listings or upgrade to $99/month featured and $149/month homepage sponsor tiers. The business serves contractors, municipalities, utilities, industrial facilities, and telecommunications companies across the United States and Canada. With only 14 employees, no disclosed funding, no management team identified, and modest network density (55 service companies, 9 manufacturer listings), the company operates as a lean, founder-managed niche directory rather than a venture-backed marketplace.

Name

HydroExcavation

Legal name

Hydro Excavation

Website

https://hydroexcavation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HydroExcavation.com is a 19-year-old online directory and marketplace connecting contractors, municipalities, utilities, and industrial customers with hydro excavation service companies and hydrovac equipment manufacturers across the United States and Canada via exclusive local area placement and tiered manufacturer subscriptions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Directory / Vertical Marketplace

NAICS

Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (519290), Waste Management and Remediation Services (562)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydro Jetting Services (HSAOABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Cleaning & Decontamination (Hydroblasting/Vacuum/Confined Space) (IMAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Hydro excavation services
• Vacuum excavation directory
• Hydrovac service network
• Non-destructive digging
• Construction equipment marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Nevada

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Service Company Memberships: Hydro excavation service companies pay for exclusive local area placement. Each available town or city is limited to one participating service company. Pricing starts with a $79 base fee plus $0.12 per 1,000 population covered. This creates exclusive local visibility for service providers.
2. Manufacturer Directory Listings: Manufacturers of hydrovac trucks, vacuum excavation equipment, parts, suppliers pay $299/year for a standard listing in the manufacturer directory. Additional premium options include featured listings at $99/month and homepage sponsor placement at $149/month.
3. Featured/Sponsored Listings: Premium placement options for manufacturers including featured listings that appear above regular listings in the directory, and homepage sponsor sections for enhanced visibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HydroExcavation.com operates an online directory/marketplace that connects buyers of hydro excavation and hydrovac services with vetted local service providers and equipment manufacturers across the United States and Canada. The platform monetizes through annual subscriptions from service companies for exclusive local area placement (one provider per town or city) and from manufacturers for directory listings with optional featured and homepage sponsor upgrades. An educational Information Library of 86 industry resources supports the directory's role as a reference hub for the non-destructive digging sector.

Product overview

HydroExcavation.com is a directory platform (not a single unified product) consisting of two main directories: a Service Company Directory with exclusive area placement for hydrovac service providers (offering potholing, daylighting, utility exposure, trenching, slurry management, and non-destructive digging services), and a separate Manufacturer Directory for hydrovac trucks, vacuum excavation equipment, trailer units, parts suppliers, and fleet technology providers. The platform also includes an Information Library with educational content about hydro excavation methods and applications. Network includes 55 service companies and 9 manufacturer listings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Service Company Directory Online directory platform connecting customers with hydro excavation and hydrovac service companies across the United States and Canada via ZIP code search. Offers potholing, daylighting, utility exposure, trenching, pipeline excavation, and non-destructive digging providers. Currently lists 55 service companies.
• Manufacturer Directory Searchable directory for hydrovac truck manufacturers, vacuum excavation equipment companies, trailer unit manufacturers, parts and service suppliers, nozzles, hoses, and fleet technology providers. Includes standard, featured ($99/month), and homepage sponsor ($149/month) tiers. Currently lists 9 manufacturers.
• Service Area Reservation Program Annual subscription program that reserves exclusive local territory (one service company per town or city) for hydrovac providers, priced at $79 base fee plus $0.12 per 1,000 population covered. Designed to deliver exclusive local lead flow without same-market competition from other listed providers.
• Hydro Excavation Information Library Educational content hub covering hydro excavation definitions, history, benefits, and applications including potholing, daylighting, slot trenching, debris removal, utility exposure, piling hole excavation, cold weather digging, and remote digging. Contains 86 industry resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19+ years operating as a dedicated hydro excavation resource
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Rival HydrovacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored manufacturer listing. Rival Hydrovac manufactures hydrovac trucks for non-destructive excavation, including the T7, T10, and T12 lines. Featured in the manufacturer sponsor section.
• TRUVACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored manufacturer listing. TRUVAC is a dedicated vacuum excavation and hydrovac equipment brand offering heavy-duty, mid-size, compact, and trailer vacuum excavators. Featured in the manufacturer sponsor section.
• SafetydigminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored manufacturer listing in the manufacturer sponsor section.
• Super RooterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored manufacturer listing in the manufacturer sponsor section.
• TRUVACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: TRUVAC is a dedicated vacuum excavation and hydrovac equipment brand offering heavy-duty, mid-size, compact, and trailer vacuum excavators for safe digging, utility exposure, potholing, and hydro excavation applications. Contact: (815) 672-3171.
• Rival HydrovacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Rival Hydrovac manufactures hydrovac trucks for non-destructive excavation, including the T7, T10, and T12 lines. The T7 is compact at just over 30 feet long and 11 feet high. Contact: 403-347-1400.
• Vac-Con, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Since 1986, Vac-Con has been supporting, designing, and manufacturing innovative vacuum and high-pressure water cleaning solutions for municipal, industrial, and utility markets worldwide. Contact: (888) 817-1757.
• FlowMark Vacuum TrucksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: FlowMark Vacuum Trucks provides vacuum truck services for industrial, municipal, and environmental industries. Offers wet/dry vacuum trucks, hydro-excavation trucks, and combination sewer cleaners. Contact: (833) 653-8100.
• Great Lakes Equipment Sales Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Heavy truck and equipment dealer based in Crestwood, Illinois, shipping trucks worldwide. Over 25 years of hands-on experience in industrial cleaning and environmental cleanup. Handles brands including Hurricane Hydro-Vac, Hi-Vac, Vactor, Vac-Con, and many more. Contact: 1-888-432-9070.
• Hydra-Flex, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Develops innovative products for the hydro-excavation industry including heavy-duty, high-impact nozzles designed to dig faster while using dramatically less water. Contact: 952-808-3640.
• Martlin DistributingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Produces high-performance solidification materials for the hydro excavation industry as a proven and cost-effective way to solidify, transport, and dispose of liquid waste. Contact: 412-505-0061.
• CM Equipment OntariominorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Family owned and operated company since 1972. Distributor of specialized equipment including sewer cleaners, hydro vacs, street sweepers, and inspection camera systems. Exclusive distributor of VAC-CON, CUES, VECTOR, and other brands. Contact: (905) 427-9777.
• CMS FundingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer listing: Equipment leasing and commercial financing service provider helping businesses acquire capital for productivity and sales. Offers working capital loans, equipment loans, and CMS Funding Vendor Program. Contact: (855) 348-4857.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Porch: Porch.com is a home services marketplace helping consumers find contractors for renovation, repair, and maintenance. It is comparable to HydroExcavation.com as a vertical directory monetizing contractor leads, but at much larger category breadth.
• Thumbtack: Thumbtack is a generalist local services marketplace that matches customers with professionals across hundreds of categories. While broader than HydroExcavation.com, its model of paid leads to local pros is directly comparable to HydroExcavation.com's exclusive-area membership approach.
• Houzz: Houzz combines a home design content platform with a marketplace for connecting homeowners with renovation and trade professionals. It is comparable as a content-plus-directory hybrid serving home improvement discovery, though at significantly larger scale and consumer focus than HydroExcavation.com.
• Yelp: Yelp is a generalist local business review and discovery platform that surfaces contractors and service providers across categories. It is explicitly integrated as a review source on HydroExcavation.com and represents the most prominent generalist incumbent in the same discovery funnel.
• Angi: Angi is a large public home services marketplace that connects homeowners with local pros across dozens of categories. It competes with HydroExcavation.com for service-discovery demand, but at vastly greater scale and across the full home services category rather than hydrovac specifically.
• HomeAdvisor: HomeAdvisor (now operating as part of Angi Inc.) is a leading home services directory and lead-generation platform. It overlaps with HydroExcavation.com's ZIP-code-based discovery model but covers the entire home services category rather than specializing in hydro excavation.

Direct peers

• BuildZoom: BuildZoom is a contractor marketplace and directory that ranks and connects homeowners with licensed contractors for construction projects. Its free-vs-paid listing structure and contractor-discovery focus make it a direct comparator to HydroExcavation.com's exclusive-territory model.
• Modernize: Modernize is a home improvement lead-generation platform that matches homeowners with local contractors by specialty. It shares HydroExcavation.com's niche-directory monetization logic, though it spans more trades and serves a more consumer-oriented customer base.
• ServiceWhale: ServiceWhale is a home services marketplace that helps consumers find and connect with local service providers. Its directory-plus-leads business model is analogous to HydroExcavation.com, though at smaller scale and broader category scope.
• Networx: Networx is a contractor directory and lead-generation platform that connects consumers with screened local professionals. It is a closer functional analog to HydroExcavation.com — a category-specific directory monetizing contractor visibility — though it spans multiple trades rather than only hydrovac.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hydroexcavation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HydroExcavation