Akron Demolition Contractor With the Owner on the Machine
Something on your property has to come down, and you need a demolition contractor in Akron who will actually come out and look at it. Maybe it's a garage that's been leaning for three winters, a house that's past saving, or an old pool you're tired of mowing around, and every demo company you call seems to want a general contractor on the other end of the line, not a regular person with one job.
Fully insured, $2 million general liability and workers comp
That's the gap I started Zenith Excavating to fill. Most of the big demo companies around Akron and Canton barely have a website, because their work comes from builders. I'd rather work for the person who owns the property.
Who runs your job
I'm Vental Waggoner. I grew up in Middlebranch, and I started Zenith in 2022. That's the real year. I'm not going to tell you we've been at this for decades, because we haven't.
Here's the question nobody else answers on their website: who is actually going to be on your property running the machine? With a lot of outfits, a salesman sells the job and a crew you've never met shows up. With us it's simple. I do the site visit, I write the estimate, and when the work starts I'm the one on the machine. We're a two-man operation, and I'd rather you know that up front than find out on the first morning.
We carry $2 million in general liability insurance plus workers compensation. Ask any contractor you talk to what they carry and in what amount, because that coverage is what stands behind the job.
One number, one crew. Teardown, haul-off, backfill and finish grade, no separate dumpster bill.
Extremely satisfied! Great communication and they did it in a very timely manner! Above and beyond what i expected! Highly reccomend.
Jason Dye
If you’re looking for an honest and respectable company for your excavation needs you found it!!! Vental and his crew were hired to trench a...
If you’re looking for an honest and respectable company for your excavation needs you found it!!! Vental and his crew were hired to trench and install new downspout drain from house to street. I’ve worked in and around construction all my life and could tell from the start this company knows their stuff! Professional, courteous, knowledgeable and fair pricing. They even showed up to do the job in the rain rather than reschedule!
Christopher Hickin
I had a large crimson maple tree with roots invading my sewer lines. It was bad and causing a back up in my sewage. Thankfully Zenith Excava...
I had a large crimson maple tree with roots invading my sewer lines. It was bad and causing a back up in my sewage. Thankfully Zenith Excavating came to the rescue! I couldn’t believe the quality and timeliness of the service! He carefully dropped the tree and removed it off my property in 1 day. On the next visit he came to dig a trench to remove and replace my sewage lines all in 1 day! Everything was totally painless! I’ll be using Zenith for all future projects!
stevan keiper
Organized and orderly. Detailed and thorough.
Hannah Riter
We had a main sewer line backed up and it was scary trying to figure out how to get it taken care of. So thankful that we got to work with Z...
We had a main sewer line backed up and it was scary trying to figure out how to get it taken care of. So thankful that we got to work with Zenith Excavating! He was extremely knowledgeable, kind, considerate willing to work with our needs/preferences. Not to mention that the job went so smoothly, and was really well done!! Such a great experience, overall. Highly recommend.
AidanG
I can't say enough good things about Vental. He does fantastic work and works very diligently. I will definitely be hiring him for future pr...
I can't say enough good things about Vental. He does fantastic work and works very diligently. I will definitely be hiring him for future projects!
Tim Young
Absolutely Awesome experience. Vental and crew were great to work with, I understand why they have all 5 star reviews. Imagine there is stil...
Absolutely Awesome experience. Vental and crew were great to work with, I understand why they have all 5 star reviews. Imagine there is still a company out there that does what they say, when they say, for the price they say. Thanks again!!
Theresa Krantz
Quote process was fast & easy. We were able to get on the schedule quick, and the work was great! Couldn’t be happier. Thank you!!
Eben Selby
Vental and team do great work, and are reasonably priced. They just completed a downspout job for me with over 300ln ft of pipe, 12+ connect...
Vental and team do great work, and are reasonably priced. They just completed a downspout job for me with over 300ln ft of pipe, 12+ connections, tied into city storm, and also regraded the lot.
Justin Suttmiller
Zenith does amazing work. Very trustworthy. Great communication throughout the entire process.
Bill Loudermilk
These guys were fantastic! They did the job very well and finished in one day. They were also the best price of the three we had. Highly rec...
These guys were fantastic! They did the job very well and finished in one day. They were also the best price of the three we had. Highly recommend them.
Bill Loudermilk.
Rick Marshall
Highly recommend! Professional, polite, very reasonably priced. No pressure and Vental spent time to troubleshoot the best solution. I was v...
Highly recommend! Professional, polite, very reasonably priced. No pressure and Vental spent time to troubleshoot the best solution. I was very impressed with the attention to detail and quality
Ron Hundsrucker
This is a young mans company with old corps values and work ethics. Punctual, knowledgeable, and affable at a fair price. Able to bring his...
This is a young mans company with old corps values and work ethics. Punctual, knowledgeable, and affable at a fair price. Able to bring his mini excavator into my yard to work in close quarters with no invasive consequenses. The results were a clean, professional, & funtional end product. Vental Waggoner is a skilled equipment operator that doesn't hesitate to grab a shovel when required, and leaves the job site neat and clean. On a scale of 1 to 10 I give him an overall "10".
CJ Sively
Vental with Zenith Excavating could not have been more professional and his work was outstanding! I 100% recommend him and he would be my 1s...
Vental with Zenith Excavating could not have been more professional and his work was outstanding! I 100% recommend him and he would be my 1st call if I ever need anything else done!!
Za Br
Hired Zenith to do a pool and deck removal as well as filling the recessed area where the pool was. Vental and his crew are incredible. They...
Hired Zenith to do a pool and deck removal as well as filling the recessed area where the pool was. Vental and his crew are incredible. They are hard workers that deliver amazing results. Couldn't be more happy with the work or finished job and will definitely look forward to calling them in the future.
R B
I had a fantastic experience with Zenith Excavating! Vental was incredibly quick to answer his phone, which I really appreciated. He was abl...
I had a fantastic experience with Zenith Excavating! Vental was incredibly quick to answer his phone, which I really appreciated. He was able to schedule an appointment promptly and provided a clear, competitive quote right away. Their efficiency and professionalism made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend Zenith Excavating for any excavation needs!
David Grimm
Vental and his coworker did an amazing job installing a basin and pipe in our backyard to help resolve erosion issues.
His communication was...
Vental and his coworker did an amazing job installing a basin and pipe in our backyard to help resolve erosion issues.
His communication was excellent. Very professional and polite all around from the beginning of the project until the end. Was willing to go out of his way with great detail to make sure the job was done correctly.
I highly recommend contacting Zenith Excavating in your future projects.
Marissa Lyons
We will absolutely be using Zenith Excavating again in the future. Vental was super personable and was there to help us with any questions w...
We will absolutely be using Zenith Excavating again in the future. Vental was super personable and was there to help us with any questions we had for him. He worked with the soil scientist we hired on a project and they both did a fantastic job. I would highly recommend this business to anyone! Thank you so much for being so helpful! My family and I are very satisfied with the job they did.
Your Outdoor Oasis
We have had the pleasure of working with Vental w/ Zenith Excavating on multiple projects, and his expertise and dedication are truly unmatc...
We have had the pleasure of working with Vental w/ Zenith Excavating on multiple projects, and his expertise and dedication are truly unmatched.
He is incredibly talented, highly knowledgeable, and takes immense pride in his work. Not only does he consistently deliver exceptional results, but he also goes above and beyond to ensure every job is done to the highest standard.
His positive attitude and professionalism make him a valued part of any project, and we highly recommend him to anyone looking for top-tier craftsmanship and reliability.
Joseph Sofio
Highly recommend Zenith Excavating. We have used them for multiple projects and they provided great service at a great price. Their ability...
Highly recommend Zenith Excavating. We have used them for multiple projects and they provided great service at a great price. Their ability to problem solve, execute the job and leave the work area clean has us coming back for each job needed. Thanks Vental!
Adam Galbreath
Outstanding Company and the quality of work was amazing. They excavated and installed a new 100’ drain line to the street for my downspouts....
Outstanding Company and the quality of work was amazing. They excavated and installed a new 100’ drain line to the street for my downspouts. The quality of the work far exceeded my expectations and the price was more than fair. The communications leading up the day of the work was incredible and very much appreciated. Highly recommended !!!!
Evan Barker
Vental is very nice and professional. I had him trench and pipe for my sump pump and downspouts. His price was very reasonable. He did a goo...
Vental is very nice and professional. I had him trench and pipe for my sump pump and downspouts. His price was very reasonable. He did a good job. There was good, open communication before and during the project.
Brandy Ware
Had availability even sooner than we had originally expected. Vental kept us updated from start to finish. Doesn't even look like half of my...
Had availability even sooner than we had originally expected. Vental kept us updated from start to finish. Doesn't even look like half of my gravel driveway was ripped open this morning. Had the pipe out and fixed within a few hours. Highly recommend!
Kimberly Belter
I cannot speak more highly of Vental and of Zenith Excavating! Outstanding work, prompt, and courteous! I recommend them highly and will def...
I cannot speak more highly of Vental and of Zenith Excavating! Outstanding work, prompt, and courteous! I recommend them highly and will definitely work with them again in the future. Deepest thanks for a job incredibly well done!👍🏼
Nick Rumschlag
Great experience using Zenith Excavating to grade our yard and site prep for a new garage. Communication, punctuality and attention to detai...
Great experience using Zenith Excavating to grade our yard and site prep for a new garage. Communication, punctuality and attention to detail all top notch!
Christine Longville
Zenith Excavating was great to work with! Very communicative and responsive. A+
Charles Ochsenbine
Friendly and professional team. Did a very good job and had our best interest in mind the whole job.
Corey Thompson
These guys are great. Smart, kind, problem solvers. I highly recomend.
Amy’s R Kitchen R
Alexander was very professional and cared about how we wanted the project done. He did an excellent job! We love the results!
Prism
One of the most upstanding and polite contractors I have ever worked with. They ask all the right questions and are quick to solve any probl...
One of the most upstanding and polite contractors I have ever worked with. They ask all the right questions and are quick to solve any problems/issues that arise. Also very flexible schedule wise and able to meet our needs in a timely manner. The attention to detail and quality of work is outstanding. I would highly recommend Zenith, especially if you are looking to have culverts installed.
Elizabeth Beach
Vental at Zenith Excavating did an excellent job for us at a fair price. He is reliable, explains everything, keeps at the job to complete i...
Vental at Zenith Excavating did an excellent job for us at a fair price. He is reliable, explains everything, keeps at the job to complete it as soon as possible, and stands behind his work. I’d highly recommend him to anyone needing excavation services.
Morgan Wright
Zenith Excavating did a phenomenal job installing our new yard drainage & catch basins. Vental is the absolute nicest contractor I have ever...
Zenith Excavating did a phenomenal job installing our new yard drainage & catch basins. Vental is the absolute nicest contractor I have ever worked with - he is professional, accommodating, extremely knowledgeable & a great communicator! His attention to detail and quality of work are more than I could have hoped for. I highly recommend Vental & team at Zenith Excavating for your next project!
Kevin Traub
I've worked with Zenith on 3 different projects now. Vental's as reliable as they come. His communication is clear and consistent, his prici...
I've worked with Zenith on 3 different projects now. Vental's as reliable as they come. His communication is clear and consistent, his pricing is reasonable, and every time he's exceeded expectations on the quality of work. If you're looking for somebody you can depend on to do what they say they will then you've found the right place.
michael bruno
Vental is meticulous with his work. I was on one of his job sites and he goes that extra mile to make sure the areas his customers are conce...
Vental is meticulous with his work. I was on one of his job sites and he goes that extra mile to make sure the areas his customers are concerned about go undisturbed. His work is as clean and well maintained as his machines. For any excavation, grading, trenching work, etc, I will without a doubt be using zenith excavating in the future.
Bill Ritter
We called Vental from a Google listing. We made an appt. and he came to our home promptly. Very polite and knowledgeable. He gave us a great...
We called Vental from a Google listing. We made an appt. and he came to our home promptly. Very polite and knowledgeable. He gave us a great quote, showed up on time and did a wonderful job. We will certainly share his name with others!
Kendra Nicholas
We are a repeat customer of Zenith Excavating Company, because it is always a great experience working with them! The owner is very knowledg...
We are a repeat customer of Zenith Excavating Company, because it is always a great experience working with them! The owner is very knowledgeable and detail-oriented at discussing all options, is very flexible, and maintains open communication throughout the process. We can't recommend Zenith enough for all your excavating needs! This trustworthy and accommodating company will exceed your expectations.
Debbie Scofield
Zenith Excavating was such a pleasure to work with on our church project. Ventil is professional, honest & timely. I would highly recommend...
Zenith Excavating was such a pleasure to work with on our church project. Ventil is professional, honest & timely. I would highly recommend Zenith for any excavating needs you may have!
James Bixler
Best Excavator I know!!!!
He cut in our long driveway and cleared our house lot.
On time, Polite, Works Quickly and Efficiently, Great Price...
Best Excavator I know!!!!
He cut in our long driveway and cleared our house lot.
On time, Polite, Works Quickly and Efficiently, Great Prices, would ALWAYS recommend!!!
Jeff Kiefaber
On time, excellent work, attention to detail and stuck to estimate. Great work for a great price.
Lochlen Dalla
Vental was amazing, he showed up right on time, was extremely professional and knowledgeable. He was happy to answer all my questions and ev...
Vental was amazing, he showed up right on time, was extremely professional and knowledgeable. He was happy to answer all my questions and even teach me a little about excavating.
His clean up was perfect. I would absolutely recommend him.
Paul Yastrab
We are extremely pleased with his work to dig our pond, it was challenging given the small size with creeks involved as well and worked with...
We are extremely pleased with his work to dig our pond, it was challenging given the small size with creeks involved as well and worked with our teenage sons requests as the work progressed when obstacles came up. Highly recomend Vental! Great guy, super personable and very professional.
Derek Mast
Zenith recently performed excavation work and backfilling for my above ground swimming pool gas and electric underground utilities. Vental w...
Zenith recently performed excavation work and backfilling for my above ground swimming pool gas and electric underground utilities. Vental went above and beyond to work within the tight constraints of our site conditions and concurrent fence installation. In addition, Vental is responsive, knowledgeable, accommodating and extremely pleasant to work with. I highly recommend Zenith Excavating Company!
Jack Daugherty
He did a great job and was very clean/efficient. I would highly recommend
John Hogan
Great company and very focused on attention to detail. Highly recommend
What we tear down
Most of what we take on is residential. Whole houses come down, basement and all, and the details on that, from the shut-offs to the backfill, are on the house demolition page. Detached and attached garages are a big part of the work too, so they have their own garage demolition page.
Then there are the smaller structures people put off for years: the shed that's falling in, the deck that's gone soft, the old barn out back. We also take out inground and above-ground pools, break up and haul concrete like old driveways, patios and slabs, and handle interior demolition when the walls, cabinets or floors have to go and the building stays. On top of that, we pull out hot tubs, remove mobile homes and take down chimneys.
Small commercial buildings are on the list as well, and the commercial demolition page explains what size of building fits a two-man operation and what doesn't.
What we don't take on
I'll tell you what doesn't fit up front. Factories, power plants, bridges, water towers, smokestacks: that's work for the large wrecking companies with full crews and cranes, and we're not one of them. If your job is in that range, I'll say so and point you elsewhere.
We also don't sell excavating, drainage or utility work as a service. The company name says excavating, but the business is demolition. The only dirt work we do is the backfill and grading that finishes a teardown.
What's included in the price
This is the part people ask about most, and it's the one most quotes leave fuzzy: does the number include hauling and grading, or are those extra? With us, debris haul-off, backfill and finish grading are part of the price. You don't get a demolition number and then a second bill for the trucks and a third for the dirt.
A teardown without haul-off just turns your building into a pile, and one without backfill leaves a hole where the basement used to be. We take the debris away, fill what needs filling, and grade the spot so you can use it for whatever comes next.
Asbestos testing and abatement
Older buildings can have asbestos in the siding, the roofing or the joint compound, and lead in the paint. Zenith does not remove asbestos or lead. When a building needs it, a licensed abatement contractor does that work first, and I coordinate with them so the teardown starts after the abatement is finished.
Whether your building needs an asbestos survey or advance notice before demolition depends on the building and where it sits. Check with your city or township and with the county before anything comes down, and I'll go over it with you at the site visit.
Permits and utility shut-offs
Before any building comes down, the gas and electric have to be shut off and the water and sewer dealt with, and most places want a demolition permit. Who calls the utilities and gets the gas and electric cut is something people rarely think about until the week of the job. The rules change from one city or township to the next, so check with yours, and the permits and utility shut-offs section of the house demolition page walks through how it works.
How a job runs, start to finish
It starts with a call or the online form. I come out for a free site visit, look at the building, the access, what's next to it and what you want to keep, and then you get a written estimate. If there's asbestos or lead, the abatement contractor goes first. Once the permit and shut-offs are lined up, we tear it down, load and haul the debris, backfill and finish grade.
As for the machine, it gets sized to the job. A shed on a tight lot doesn't need the same machine as a two-story house with a full basement, and bringing the wrong size just tears up more of your yard.
Service area and hours
We're based at 3397 E Waterloo Rd, Akron, OH 44312, and we work across Summit, Stark, Portage, Wayne, Tuscarawas, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. That covers Akron, Canton, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Green, North Canton, Massillon, Kent, Wooster, New Philadelphia and Youngstown, plus the townships in between.
Hours are Monday to Friday, 7 to 5. Saturday is by appointment, and we're closed Sunday. The phone is (330) 690-6842.
Free site visit and written estimate
The site visit is free and so is the written estimate. I'd rather see the building than guess over the phone, because the things that move a price, like the basement, the access or the neighbor's fence two feet away, only show up in person. You get the number in writing so you can compare it line for line.
What demolition costs
Everybody wants a ballpark before they call. The honest answer is that the size of the building, what's under it, how a machine gets to it and how much has to be hauled away move the number more than anything else, which is why the site visit and the written estimate are free. A whole house is the biggest job of the bunch, and the national ranges for tearing down a house swing the widest.
Questions People Ask
Is my job too small for you, like one garage or a shed?
Probably not. A single garage or shed is exactly the kind of work the big outfits pass on, and it's work we want. If a job really is too small to make sense, I'll tell you that straight instead of quoting it high and hoping you go away.
Will the machine and trucks wreck my lawn and driveway?
Some marks in the yard come with any machine work, and finish grading is part of the price, so the area we work in gets graded back when we leave. The bigger question is the route the trucks take in and out, which we plan at the site visit.
What if you dig up something buried, like an old oil tank or a septic tank?
It happens on older properties. When something like that turns up, the right move is to stop on that spot and talk it through with you before going further. Tank removal has its own rules, so check with the county.
Do you do excavating, drainage or new driveways too?
No. Even with excavating in the name, Zenith is a demolition company. The grading we do is the finish work on a teardown, and if you need drainage or a new build after that, you'll want a contractor who does that work full time.
Ready to get a number on your job? Request a Free Estimate and I'll be in touch about the free site visit. Or call (330) 690-6842, Monday to Friday 7 to 5.
