Meet the Owners of Central Illinois Excavation
Two longtime friends. One shared idea. A decision to stop talking about starting a business and actually go build one.
Cole Klauzer & Zachary Housam
Co-Owners — Springfield & Central Illinois
From a running joke to a real business.
Cole Klauzer and Zachary Housam have been friends since they were sixteen.
For years, owning an excavation company together was more of a running joke than a plan. That changed in the fall of 2025, when both of them got tired of working for someone else and decided that nothing happens if you never try.
Sometimes the best businesses start with two friends willing to take a chance.
By April of 2026 they were on their first jobs as Central Illinois Excavation. Cole took on work that let him get the business off the ground, and both partners are building toward running it full time.
Meet Cole & Zachary
Central Illinois Excavation is owned and run by two friends who decided it was time to build something of their own.
Cole Klauzer
Cole helped get Central Illinois Excavation off the ground, taking on the early work that gave the business its start. Alongside Zachary, he is focused on building a company known for dependable work, straightforward service, and showing up when promised.
Zachary Housam
Zachary brings the same commitment to building something lasting with his longtime friend. Together, he and Cole are growing Central Illinois Excavation one project at a time while working toward making the company their full-time business.
A simple idea became a real company.
The story behind Central Illinois Excavation is built on friendship, taking a chance, and putting in the work.
Two Friends Meet
Cole Klauzer and Zachary Housam became friends when they were sixteen. Over the years, the idea of owning an excavation company together became something they joked about.
It Was Time to Try
Both friends had grown tired of working for someone else. They decided to stop wondering what could happen and start doing something about it.
Central Illinois Excavation Gets to Work
Cole and Zachary took on their first jobs under the Central Illinois Excavation name and began turning their long-running idea into a working business.
Building It One Job at a Time
Today they provide grading, site preparation, and demolition for homeowners, builders, and property owners throughout Springfield and surrounding central Illinois communities.
Small crew. Serious work.
Being a small excavation company means the owners are directly invested in the work and the experience every customer has.
Show Up
We believe reliability matters. When we say we'll be there, we make every effort to be there and ready to work.
Do It Right
From grading and site preparation to demolition, we focus on doing the job correctly instead of taking shortcuts.
Treat It Like Our Own
Every property deserves respect. We work carefully and treat each customer's property like we would want our own property treated.
Building Central Illinois, one job at a time.
Let's talk about your next project.
Whether you need grading, site preparation, demolition, or another excavation service, Cole and Zachary are ready to discuss your project.