Dear PoP – Dirt Removal, Junk Removal Companies and/or Day Laborers?

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

“Dear PoP,

We are planning to dig out underneath the porch in the front & rear of our house & replace the dirt with gravel (to make it less desireable to rats & help with drainage). But we are not sure what we are going to do with all the excess dirt. DC Public works won’t take dirt, you have to use a “junk removal” service.

I know there are a lot of shady junk removal services out there (that pick up stuff & illegal dump it). Do people have any recommendation for a reputable company?

I was also wondering if people have hired day laborers?”