# John Keene Excavation

**Trade:** Demolition & Excavation · **Address:** 25 Old Stage Rd, West Tisbury, MA 02575 · **Phone:** (508) 693-5975 · **Website:** http://www.johnkeene.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 3.9/5** (medium confidence) — from 10 reviews across 5 sources.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 2 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

John Keene Excavation has run out of West Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard since 1987, working septic system installs, land clearing, demolition, driveway prep, utility trenching and dirt-road repair — and, unusually for an excavation outfit, its own materials yard, selling and delivering mulch, soil, gravel, sand, stone and sod, with off-island trucking to bring supplies onto and off the Vineyard.

That materials side is what most of its public reviews actually talk about. Across ten Google reviews written between 2021 and 2026 — nine of them five stars, one four — the recurring theme is a fast truck rather than a finished septic field: same-day delivery in a 2026 review, fast delivery again in 2024, and being able to drop brush at the dump when the family wanted. The one review that describes an actual project, from 2022, credits the office manager with keeping the job on track through changing schedules and calling the pricing reasonable. Google puts the overall average at 4.9 stars from 40 ratings, and the Better Business Bureau grades the company A+, though it has never sought BBB accreditation.

Worth asking about before booking: nearly everything on the public record is about the delivery counter and materials yard, not the septic or heavy-excavation work the company is hired to do, so it's worth asking for references specific to a septic install or site job rather than assuming the yard's reputation carries straight over. For islanders who need gravel, soil or stone moved to a site, or brush hauled away, the track record is long and consistently well-reviewed; for a full septic system or a larger sitework project, ask to see recent, comparable jobs before signing on.

**Strengths:**
- Fast delivery — reviewers repeatedly note same-day material drop-offs
- Long track record — in business since 1987 per its BBB profile
- Reasonable pricing — a 2022 review credited fair, well-communicated project costs

**Concerns:**
- Materials-yard reviews — most reviews describe mulch and stone purchases, not septic jobs

**Where sources disagree:**
- BBB and Procore categorize the business simply as an excavating contractor, while its own homepage foregrounds material sales (mulch, soil, gravel, stone) ahead of excavation and septic work.

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Martha's Vineyard-based excavation and septic installation company that also sells and delivers landscaping materials with off-island trucking. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.johnkeene.com) — “Martha's Vineyard-based excavation and septic installation company that also does site work (land clearing, demolition, driveway prep, road …”
- In business since 1/1/1987 (39 years), per its BBB profile. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-tisbury/profile/excavating-contractors/john-keene-excavation-inc-0021-76491/addressId/185755) — “BBB profile for John Keene Excavation, Inc.: not BBB accredited, A+ letter grade, 39 years in business (started 1/1/1987); no customer revie…”
- Holds a Better Business Bureau A+ letter grade but is not a BBB-accredited business. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-tisbury/profile/excavating-contractors/john-keene-excavation-inc-0021-76491/addressId/185755) — “Better Business Bureau grade: A+”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-tisbury/profile/excavating-contractors/john-keene-excavation-inc-0021-76491/addressId/185755) — “BBB profile for John Keene Excavation, Inc.: not BBB accredited, A+ letter grade, 39 years in business (started 1/1/1987); no customer revie…”
- Google shows 4.9 stars from 40 ratings, and 9 of the 10 written Google reviews on file are 5-star (one 4-star), spanning 2021-2026 with no negative reviews. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=John%20Keene%20Excavation&query_place_id=ChIJq6t7V1Mk5YkRyHvIzx848xw) — “Google: 4.9★ from 40 ratings”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25aTU5WTnhWVzlKWkVOZk5tdFBSM0p4YjAxcWNXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnZMNVNxVW9JZENfNmtPR3Jxb01qcWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Best product and amazing service!!
Harriet was a star getting me same day delivery with no issues. Don’t go anywhere else!!”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tsd2NqTlBWRFZMWlhkQlMwa3plR1EyT0MxV2FIYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOklwcjNPVDVLZXdBS0kzeGQ2OC1WaHc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Um lugar onde se encontra de tudo e principalmente um atendimendo excelente”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURHN0t2bWJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDG7KvmbQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Top”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25Wbk9WcFdlbTFIT1hwNlNuUmlkMEo0TkdOa1RuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnVnOVpWem1HOXp6SnRid0J4NGNkTnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I called needing a driveway plowed in Tisbury. The girl who took my  call was great and forwarded my information. I quickly got a call ba…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURuekstS3B3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDnzK-KpwE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Great service, fast delivery!”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURXdi1XbTF3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDWv-Wm1wE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Fantastic service-
Donnie, Nancy, and Nicole go above and beyond.”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUM1bDZUaU5BEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC5l6TiNA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Always very helpful and pleasant!  Appreciated being able to take some brush there since the dump was closed.”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURKcDY2UDlnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDJp66P9gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ This is THE place to get mulch & soil. All kinds of stone too”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQtel9YS3d3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgID-z_XKwwE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “4★ The Best”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURXZ3AzUWNBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDWgp3QcA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ John Keene Excavation exceeded our expectations. From the first phone call until the final delivery, John Keene was thorough, prompt, and…”
- Reviewers repeatedly praise fast, same-day material delivery. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25aTU5WTnhWVzlKWkVOZk5tdFBSM0p4YjAxcWNXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnZMNVNxVW9JZENfNmtPR3Jxb01qcWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Best product and amazing service!!
Harriet was a star getting me same day delivery with no issues. Don’t go anywhere else!!”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURuekstS3B3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDnzK-KpwE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Great service, fast delivery!”
- A 2022 review credited the office manager with prompt communication and reasonable project pricing on an actual job. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURXZ3AzUWNBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDWgp3QcA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ John Keene Excavation exceeded our expectations. From the first phone call until the final delivery, John Keene was thorough, prompt, and…”
- Most retrievable reviews describe purchasing landscaping materials (mulch, soil, stone) rather than septic or excavation projects. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25aTU5WTnhWVzlKWkVOZk5tdFBSM0p4YjAxcWNXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnZMNVNxVW9JZENfNmtPR3Jxb01qcWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Best product and amazing service!!
Harriet was a star getting me same day delivery with no issues. Don’t go anywhere else!!”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURuekstS3B3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDnzK-KpwE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Great service, fast delivery!”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURKcDY2UDlnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x1cf3381fcfc87bc8!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDJp66P9gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ This is THE place to get mulch & soil. All kinds of stone too”
- Septic system installation and repair. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.johnkeene.com) — “Martha's Vineyard-based excavation and septic installation company that also does site work (land clearing, demolition, driveway prep, road …”
- Excavation and site work: land clearing, demolition, driveway prep and installation, utility trenching. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.johnkeene.com) — “Martha's Vineyard-based excavation and septic installation company that also does site work (land clearing, demolition, driveway prep, road …”
- Dirt road maintenance and repair. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.johnkeene.com) — “Martha's Vineyard-based excavation and septic installation company that also does site work (land clearing, demolition, driveway prep, road …”
- Specializes in Demolition & Excavation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.johnkeene.com) — “Martha's Vineyard-based excavation and septic installation company that also does site work (land clearing, demolition, driveway prep, road …”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-tisbury/profile/excavating-contractors/john-keene-excavation-inc-0021-76491/addressId/185755) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Excavating Contractors”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-tisbury/profile/excavating-contractors/john-keene-excavation-inc-0021-76491/addressId/185755) — “BBB profile for John Keene Excavation, Inc.: not BBB accredited, A+ letter grade, 39 years in business (started 1/1/1987); no customer revie…”
  - [Procore Construction Network](https://network.procore.com/p/john-keene-excavation-inc-west-tisbury) — “Services offered (Procore Construction Network): Excavation”
  - [Procore Construction Network](https://network.procore.com/p/john-keene-excavation-inc-west-tisbury) — “Unclaimed Procore Network directory listing for John Keene Excavation, Inc. confirming address (25 Old Stage Rd, West Tisbury, MA) and phone…”

## License

Status: **not_found** — verified against the official MA state registry, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://madpl.mylicense.com/Verification/

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=John%20Keene%20Excavation&query_place_id=ChIJq6t7V1Mk5YkRyHvIzx848xw): 4.9★ from 40 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=John%20Keene%20Excavation&query_place_id=ChIJq6t7V1Mk5YkRyHvIzx848xw): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-tisbury/profile/excavating-contractors/john-keene-excavation-inc-0021-76491/addressId/185755): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](http://www.johnkeene.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Procore Construction Network](https://network.procore.com/p/john-keene-excavation-inc-west-tisbury): Listed on this source

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Jeremy Coles · 2026-05-26**: Best product and amazing service!!
Harriet was a star getting me same day delivery with no issues. Don’t go anywhere else!!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Givanildo Freitas · 2026-04-18**: Um lugar onde se encontra de tudo e principalmente um atendimendo excelente
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Jenn Maio · 2026-02-27**: I called needing a driveway plowed in Tisbury. The girl who took my  call was great and forwarded my information. I quickly got a call back from Matt, who was not able to plow my driveway and he and his team were up in Chilmark. He, however, went above and beyond to find someone who could. He was ab…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · meghan cilley · 2024-10-03**: Great service, fast delivery!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Carla Miller · 2023-10-17**: Always very helpful and pleasant!  Appreciated being able to take some brush there since the dump was closed.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Mark Glass · 2023-07-24**: This is THE place to get mulch & soil. All kinds of stone too
- **4/5 · Google Reviews · eric carlsen · 2022-12-12**: The Best
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Brian Beasley · 2022-04-08**: Fantastic service-
Donnie, Nancy, and Nicole go above and beyond.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Katie Bilgrav · 2022-03-18**: John Keene Excavation exceeded our expectations. From the first phone call until the final delivery, John Keene was thorough, prompt, and professional. The Office Manager, Manny, responded quickly to emails/phone calls and made sure that all of our project needs were met. I found Manny to be extreme…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · joao pedro soares · 2021-11-21**: Top

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-22T11:33:06.104Z.
Cite as: John Keene Excavation — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/john-keene-excavation-west-tisbury)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/john-keene-excavation-west-tisbury