Frequently Asked Questions
Twenty-five of the questions we hear most from new clients across Dover, York County, and the rest of south central Pennsylvania. Have one we didn't answer? Call Brandon at 717-758-6405.
About Crone's
Crone's Excavation & Demolition is a family-owned excavation contractor based in Dover, PA. The business is owned and operated by Brandon Crone, who runs every job in person. We handle demolition, site preparation, land clearing, grading, stormwater drainage, septic, foundation excavation, trenching, sewer and water lines, and gravel driveways across York County and the surrounding parts of south central Pennsylvania.
We're based in Dover, PA and serve a service area that covers most of south central Pennsylvania. Primary cities and areas include Dover, York County, Dillsburg, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and Hanover. If you're inside or near that footprint and you're not sure if we serve your address, give us a call and we'll let you know.
Yes. Crone's Excavation & Demolition carries general liability and workers compensation insurance. We can provide a certificate of insurance before any job starts. We do not work uninsured, and we recommend you never hire a contractor who can't show you a current certificate.
Yes. Brandon Crone is on most job sites every day. When he's not on site he's reachable by phone. You aren't being passed between salespeople and project managers. The person who quoted your job is the person responsible for running it.
Crone's Excavation & Demolition has been operating as a dedicated excavation company for over six years. Brandon's underground utility background goes back much further than that, with years of plumbing experience in the family business before he bought his first excavator and went full-time into excavation work.
Getting Started, Quotes, and Scheduling
Call 717-758-6405 or send a description of your project through the quote form on our website. We'll set up a time to come walk the property in person. Almost every quote we issue is based on an on-site walk, not a phone call, because the property usually tells us things the owner didn't think to mention.
No. On-site walkthroughs and written estimates are free across our service area. We'd rather show up, understand what you actually need, and quote it honestly than guess at a number over the phone.
Most quotes go out within one to three business days after the on-site walk, depending on how much research the job requires. Simple jobs are sometimes quoted same-day. Anything that involves permit research, perc tests, or coordination with other trades takes a little longer.
It depends on the season and the size of the job. Smaller residential projects can often be slotted in within two to three weeks. Larger site prep or new construction work usually books out three to six weeks. We give a realistic timeline as part of the written quote and update you if anything changes.
Check is preferred. We can also accept other forms of payment when needed. Payment terms are usually a deposit at scheduling and the balance on completion, with progress payments built in on larger jobs. Specifics are laid out in the written quote so you know what to expect.
What We Work On
Both, though most of our work is residential and light commercial. Homeowners, builders, property managers, and small business owners across south central PA. We aren't set up for large industrial projects, but we handle most residential and small commercial excavation work end to end.
Anything from a one-day shed teardown up through a multi-week new home build is in our wheelhouse. We aren't typically the right contractor for ten-acre subdivisions or major commercial site work that needs a fleet of equipment. If your project is outside our scope we'll tell you up front and recommend someone who fits.
We own and operate an excavator, a skid steer, a dump trailer, and the trucks to move it all. That means we aren't waiting on rental yards or third-party subs to keep your job moving. It also keeps our pricing more consistent than contractors who bill rental fees on top of labor.
Most of what we offer is done by our own crew with our own equipment. We do coordinate with concrete contractors, plumbers, and electricians on jobs where those trades come into play, but the excavation, demolition, grading, drainage, and underground utility work is ours.
We try to help when we can. Burst water service, collapsed sewer lateral, sudden drainage failures around a foundation. If we have crew capacity we make room. Call us as soon as you know there's a problem and we'll tell you honestly whether we can be on site that day or whether you should call someone with more open capacity.
Local Conditions in Pennsylvania
It varies. Higher ground around Dillsburg, northern Dover, and parts of Camp Hill often has red shale or siltstone within a few feet of grade. Lower ground around Hanover and the southern county tends to hold heavier clay. The Susquehanna Valley has its own pockets of wet ground and high water tables. We assess what's actually on your property during the walkthrough.
We coordinate it. Most townships require the property owner to be on the permit application, but we walk you through what's needed, fill in the technical details, and handle the back-and-forth with the township office. We've worked through most of the township permit processes across York and Cumberland counties.
It depends on the township and the project. Smaller residential work can sometimes get permitted in a week or two. Septic systems with perc tests and SEO design can take six to eight weeks. We give a realistic permit timeline as part of the quote so it's not a surprise.
Yes, with the right planning. PA designates certain creeks like the Yellow Breeches as scenic rivers, and stream and wetland setbacks have specific erosion control and stormwater requirements. We respect those rules and design the work to pass inspection.
Yes, within reason. Late fall and early winter excavation work is normal for us. Deep cold, frozen ground, and ice on the work surface can slow things down or push a job out to a thaw, so we discuss winter timing honestly when scheduling. Emergency work like a broken water service we handle year-round.
During and After the Job
We arrive when we said we'd arrive. We walk the property with you one more time, confirm the scope, and stage equipment in a location that minimizes disruption. Then we start the work. You'll get a quick check-in from Brandon or the lead each day so you know where things stand.
Excavation makes noise during equipment hours, but we stay within reasonable hours and keep the work site organized. Dust is controlled on demolition jobs as required. Debris is hauled off or staged in a defined area, not left scattered. We sweep the road if we tracked dirt out.
We stop, document what we found, and walk you through it before doing additional work. If it's a real change to the scope, we price it as a written change order so you can decide whether to proceed. We don't keep digging into surprise costs without your sign-off.
Yes. Disturbed lawn areas get backfilled, topsoil respread, and prepped for seed. Gravel drives are reshaped where we crossed them. Asphalt we cut for utility runs is patched. Specifics are spelled out in the written quote so you know exactly what restoration is included.
Yes. Where the township or authority requires inspections at specific phases like tank set, drain field, or final cover on a septic, we schedule them and meet the inspector on site. We don't leave the inspection coordination to you.
Still Have Questions?
Easiest way is to call Brandon directly at 717-758-6405. Mon to Sat, 8:00am to 8:00pm.
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Contact Details
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Service Areas
Dover, York, Dillsburg, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Hanover