Mike is very capable of doing all your forestry needs. Cleared property for my garage and i’m very happy with the outcome
ML BLAKE EARTHWORKS
Class A Contractor
ML BLAKE EARTHWORKS
Class A Contractor
Transforming Virginia, One Clearing at a Time!
Residential & commercial land clearing, forestry mulching, emergency tree removal and more.
Excavation & Grading, building pads, concrete, asphalt, earthworks and more.
Our team provides erosion control solutions that stabilize coastlines, reinforce riverbanks, and maintain the natural integrity of waterfront landscapes.
Get rid of those unwanted structures with our residential and commercial demolition, deconstruction and debris cleanup
Pond design services tailored to your specific landscape, ensuring optimal water retention, drainage, and ecosystem integration.
Looking to pour a new driveway or concrete pad on your property? Our crew delivers smooth, long-lasting concrete work backed by expert site prep and years of local experience.
ML Blake Earthworks is a full-service team of excavating contractors in Virginia that utilizes modern technology with specialized equipment to handle your project from start to finish efficiently, professionally, and to the highest standards … YOURS!
From excavation, land grading, forestry mulching, driveways, drainage, to pond building, marine/shoreline stabilization, demolition, bush hogging and more, we’re available to assist you with your project needs.
We have the team, equipment and expertise to make your project a reality.
We have completed many construction and earthwork projects in Central and Eastern Virginia.
Our founder and team have many years of combined experience in construction and site preparation.
Our crew is the industry’s most respectful, responsible, and knowledgeable people.
Our team members are all local to the Virginia Peninsula area, which means, we are familiar with the code, restrictions and weather changes that may arise.
We require annual background checks, so you can rest assured that all the work on your property is being done by trustworthy individuals.
For over a decade ML Blake Earthworks has been providing quality professional land development and management services throughout Virginia. We have the team, training and equipment for the job.
These examples stand as a testament to our professionalism and diligence.
Mike is very capable of doing all your forestry needs. Cleared property for my garage and i’m very happy with the outcome
I recently hired M.L. Blake Earthworks to dig the foundation and pour concrete for my husbands shop, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! From start to finish, the team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise.
They arrived on time, worked efficiently, and truly paid attention to detail throughout the entire process. The foundation was dug precisely to specifications, and the concrete pouring was done flawlessly. The quality of their work is evident, and I have every confidence that my shop is built on a solid foundation.
I recently had M.L. Blake Earthworks install a driveway at my home, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! From the initial consultation to the final touches, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive to my needs.
They took the time to understand what I wanted and offered valuable suggestions that improved the overall design. The quality of their work is outstanding; the driveway looks fantastic and has truly enhanced the curb appeal of my home. Will certainly use them again in the future!!
We have lived on a 20 acre heavily wooded piece of property for 27 years. We have wanted to open it up a bit for a long time. I have been monitoring ads for forestry mulching and contacted Mike Blake if M.L. Blake Earthworks. He responded quickly and came out and gave me an estimate for what I was looking to do. His estimate came in less than what I was expecting.
Mike came out this past week and forestry mulched about 2.5 to 3 acres in front of our home and our two side yards. The result exceeded my expectations and while we still have a forested lot, we now have a beautiful park like setting while preserving a buffer to the street and our neighbors. It was a four day effort.
I also had some logs left over from taking 6 trees down in my horse paddock. I thought I was going to be able to get rid of them as firewood for anyone who needed but had no takers. Mike offered to mulch them up at no separate charge.
Mike did an awesome job and we are extremely happy with our new park like setting. I highly recommend Mike and M.L. Earthworks if you have a similar project.
I’ve worked with Mike and his team for well over a year now, and can’t say enough good things about them. From all our clients new construction site work to some of clients needing minimal work done. Mike always has us covered. From anything from site work, lot clearing, pretty much anything from dirt to trees he has you covered!
I can’t say enough about M.L. Blake Earthworks. Michael and his crew went the extra mile every single day for me. They cleared off 3+ almost 4 acres at my property that was a complete mess, regraded a bad spot from the previous owner that was continuously washing out, and are currently helping with a concrete pad for my new shop. Great communication and definitely priced right and highly recommended them to everyone.
Based on 19 reviews
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– Chesterfield, VA
– Essex County, VA
– Gloucester, VA
– Hampton Roads, VA
– Hopewell, VA
– James City County
– Kilmarnock, VA
– King William, VA
– Lancaster, VA
– New Kent, VA
– Reedville, VA
– Richmond, VA
– West Point, VA
– Williamsburg, VA
– York County
– Yorktown, VA
Whether you're preparing a lot for construction, clearing overgrown land, restoring a damaged shoreline, or planning a custom pond, it's natural to have questions before you hire. As a Class A licensed excavating contractor serving Central and Eastern Virginia for over a decade, ML Blake Earthworks has helped hundreds of property owners navigate projects just like yours. Below are the questions we hear most often — answered straight, with no fluff.
An excavating contractor handles all ground-level work needed to prepare land for construction or improvement. This includes grading, digging foundations, clearing trees and brush, installing drainage systems, managing stormwater, and stabilizing soil. At ML Blake Earthworks, our excavating services in Virginia cover everything from initial site clearing to final sitework — so you have one experienced team managing the entire project from start to finish.
ML Blake Earthworks serves Central and Eastern Virginia, including Richmond, Williamsburg, Hampton Roads, Gloucester, Yorktown, New Kent, King William, Chesterfield, James City County, Lancaster, Essex County, Kilmarnock, West Point, Hopewell, York County, and Reedville. If you’re not sure whether your location falls within our service area, contact us and we’ll confirm availability for your project.
Land clearing costs in Virginia typically vary based on acreage, vegetation density, terrain, and the method used — whether that’s forestry mulching, mechanical clearing, or selective removal. Most residential lot clearing projects range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on scope. ML Blake Earthworks provides free consultations and on-site estimates so you get an accurate quote tailored to your property — not a generic ballpark.
Land clearing is a broad term for removing trees, brush, stumps, and debris from a property, and it can involve multiple methods including cutting, grubbing, and hauling material away. Forestry mulching is a specific technique where a single machine grinds vegetation in place, leaving behind nutrient-rich mulch that protects the soil and eliminates the need for burning or hauling. ML Blake Earthworks offers both methods and can recommend the best approach based on your land’s vegetation, intended use, and timeline.
In many Virginia localities, permits are required for land disturbance activities, particularly for projects disturbing more than 2,500 square feet or located near waterways, wetlands, or environmentally sensitive areas. Requirements vary by county, so it’s important to check with your local municipality before work begins. As a Class A licensed contractor with deep experience across Central and Eastern Virginia, ML Blake Earthworks is familiar with local regulations and can help guide you through the process.
Yes! ML Blake Earthworks designs and constructs custom ponds for residential and commercial properties throughout Virginia. We build retention and detention ponds, decorative landscape ponds, wildlife ponds, and levee ponds, each designed to match your specific terrain, drainage patterns, and land use goals. Proper site evaluation and grading are critical to long-term pond health, which is why we handle both the design consultation and full excavation in-house.