Excavation.
Grading.
Drainage First.
Expert drainage and grading solutions that protect your home, property, and investment.
Proudly Serving Maury & Williamson Counties
Columbia Spring Hill Franklin Thompson Station Santa Fe Chapel Hill Lewisburg And Surrounding Areas
How I Work
Every Property Is Different.
I'm a second-generation excavator. After years of larger commercial work, I chose to focus on residential drainage and grading because I enjoy solving problems and working directly with homeowners. Here's how I think about your property before I ever start a machine.
I diagnose before I dig.
Before I quote a solution, I walk the property and figure out where the water is coming from and where it wants to go. Nine times out of ten, the problem isn't what a homeowner thinks it is.
I follow the water.
Water always tells a story. Every rut, low spot and stained foundation wall points somewhere. My job is to read the property, not sell a product.
Grading first. Pipes second.
Pipes are tools, not the answer to every problem. If the ground is shaped right, water moves the way it should — and you spend less on drainage in the long run.
Education is part of the service.
I don't expect homeowners to understand drainage. That's my job. Whether you hire me or not, I want you to leave our conversation understanding your property.
"Start with the grade. Understand how the property moves water. Then we form a plan. The simplest long-term drainage solution is usually the right one."
Our Services
Built For Your Property.
Drainage Solutions
Fix standing water, erosion and grading issues at the source.
Grading
Proper grading for driveways, yards, and site preparation.
Erosion Control
Stop washouts and stabilize slopes with effective erosion control solutions.
Driveway Install & Repair
New driveways, repairs, and maintenance.
Site Prep
Building pad preparation and small brush clearing for new construction.
Trenching
Reliable trenching solutions for residential utilities and drainage projects.
Real Problems. Real Solutions.
See The Difference.
Drainage Solutions
Driveway Install & Repair
Grading
Learn Before You Dig
What every homeowner should know before starting excavation.
A practical, evergreen library on soil, drainage, grading, driveways, and residential excavation — written from 20+ years in the dirt.
About CANDO LLC
Hi, I'm Dan Johnson.
I'm a second-generation excavator. My grandfather built homes for a living. My father excavated many of the sites those homes were built on. I grew up on job sites from the time I was around 11 years old — starting with a transit rod in my hand and eventually running my own projects.
After years of larger excavation work, I intentionally chose to focus on residential drainage and grading. I enjoy solving problems more than simply operating equipment, and I like working directly with homeowners.
When I walk your property, I'll explain what I see, why the problem exists, and how I'd solve it. If there's a simpler fix than what you called me out for, I'll tell you. My goal is helping you understand your property — not selling you work you don't need.
Why Homeowners Trust CANDO
- I walk every property before I quote it
- Honest recommendations — even when it's a smaller job
- Grading-first thinking that protects your home long term
- Local, family-owned, easy to reach
- Fully insured
Frequently Asked Questions
What Homeowners Ask Me Most
Do I Need a French Drain or Is Grading Enough?
Proper grading is my first priority whenever possible because it addresses the root cause of many drainage problems. However, every property is different. Soil conditions, elevation, available outlets, and the amount of water all play a role. The only way to know whether grading alone will solve the problem or if a French drain is also needed is through a site evaluation.
Why Is Water Collecting Near My Foundation?
Poor grading is one of the most common causes, but clogged gutters, short downspout extensions, heavy clay soils, and inadequate drainage can also allow water to collect near your foundation. Every property is different, so I evaluate the entire drainage pattern before recommending a solution. Whenever possible, reshaping the grade is my first choice because it addresses the problem at its source.
Why Is My Yard Still Wet Days After It Rains?
Middle Tennessee has several clay-heavy soil types that naturally retain water. A yard that stays wet for days may have poor grading, compacted soil, inadequate drainage, or simply nowhere for the water to discharge. The best solution depends on where the water is coming from, how it moves across your property, and where it can be safely redirected.
How Do I Know if My Yard Needs to Be Regraded?
If water pools near your foundation, runs toward your home, washes out mulch or landscaping after every rain, or leaves consistently wet areas in your yard, poor grading is often the cause. Proper grading is the foundation of most successful drainage solutions.
Do You Install Water, Electrical, Gas, or Communication Lines?
No. CANDO LLC is an excavation contractor, not a utility contractor. I excavate clean, properly sized trenches and coordinate with your licensed plumber, electrician, or utility contractor, who installs and connects the utilities before I complete the backfill.