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TRUSTED BY RANCHO SANTA FE, CA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.5
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon34
    Verified excavation services reviews

Top-Rated Excavation pros in Rancho Santa Fe - Updated Nov 2026

Accurate Grading and Demolition, Inc.
4.3(
26
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving Rancho Santa Fe, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Quick and efficient. Unfortunately, some large globs of concrete outside of the frames were left behind. Is was so wet and a bit muddy, they were probably missed in the cleanup."
Response time2 days
16 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by90%of homeowners
Avatar for Quetzal Landscapes, Inc
Quetzal Landscapes, Inc
4.2(
57
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Rancho Santa Fe, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The gentleman was on time and very professional. During the quote, he stated the job would be approximately $900.00 to remove and preserve the metal fence. I believed that to be a reasonable price. However, after receiving a quote for $1800.00 which is double the price, and the cost of a new fence is approximately $1300.00 I decided to go elsewhere and replace the fence."
Turf installed
Fence Maze and Trash can area.
Back Yard After
Scotts back yard
outdoor kitchen

+518

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Barrios Landscape Inc.
Barrios Landscape Inc.
5.0(
7
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Rancho Santa Fe, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I am with a National GC. We hired Barrios to complete a complex drainage repair for one of our commercial projects. Michael and the crew did an outstanding job. They were punctual and adhered to the schedule. I was very pleased and Michael had great communication through the project."
Escondido Front Yard
Escondido Front Yard
Escondido Front Yard
Escondido Front Yard
Backyard Remodel

+6

Response time10 hrs
Response rate98%
Avatar for JH Landscaping
JH Landscaping
4.6(
9
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Rancho Santa Fe, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Turned out that our major landscaping project that JH Landscaping and his work crew completed for us was stellar. My wife and I were thrilled with the results and so grateful for how great our backyard looks now. They did everything we asked of them, and there were lots of extra, unplanned things that needed to get done, while everything got done within budget. His workers were phenomenal, highly skilled, worked really hard, as they, for example, laid every single paver with their own hands, one by one, laid astro-turf, planted all kinds of plans, flowers, ground covers, installed irrigation. systems, major overhaul, took a couple of months, but now look at the the before and after difference! They knew what needed to get done, how to get it done and got it done! Thank you!"
Our Work
Our Work
Our Work
Our Work
Our Work

+54

Response time2 days
Recommended by83%of homeowners
Avatar for M&G Landscaping
M&G Landscaping
5.0(
3
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving Rancho Santa Fe, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We are extremely pleased with the retaining wall installation. The team was professional, reliable, and attentive to detail throughout the entire process. The finished wall looks great, feels sturdy, and was completed with excellent workmanship. We would definitely recommend their services."
Landscaping
retaining wall
Outdoor kitchen
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Showing 1-10 of 86
Excavating FAQs, answered by experts

Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.

A walk-behind trencher can cut through roots as long as they’re not too thick, making a project much easier than digging with a shovel and other hand tools. Assess your terrain and the number of trees in the surrounding area to determine if a walk-behind trencher will ease the job. Digging a trench by hand is much more time-consuming and labor-intensive. 

Some two-in-one tools and machines do both jobs, and those could be the right solution for smaller residential projects. However, the phrase “use the right tool for the job” definitely applies to digging. For the best results, get two separate tools for your trenching and landscape edging projects or call a pro to take care of everything for you.

Excavation is priced in cubic yards, so you’ll need to find the volume of the area in order to calculate costs. Multiply the length, width, and proposed depth of your excavation site, then convert it into yards to get the volume. Multiply this figure by the price per cubic yard.

Most homeowners can measure by hand to get a rough estimate, even if it’s tedious. You may want to pull out a tape measure or use a string to help mark the area.

In the United States, a depth of 36 inches (three feet) for underground water lines is the accepted industry standard. This depth varies from location to location based on local conditions. In areas with colder winters, they may be buried deeper to prevent frozen well water pipes : This is usually at least six inches below the frost level. The International Plumbing Code calls for a minimum of 12 inches below grade.

The Rancho Santa Fe, CA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.