Top-rated excavation pros.

Get matched with top excavation pros in San Marcos, CA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your excavation project in San Marcos, CA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY SAN MARCOS, CA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.7
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon19
    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in San Marcos

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

Serving San Marcos, 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
9 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by90%of homeowners
Avatar for Kan Builders
Kan Builders
5.0(
12
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Marcos, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"If you need your yard or fence done, use these guys. They did an awesome job and were super tidy the whole time. I didn?t take before photos because it was an eyesore before this lol but I love how clean and nice it looks now! The entire staff is pretty cool"
Hillside Engineering
9 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for JH Landscaping
JH Landscaping
4.6(
9
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Marcos, 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
Eternal Turf and Landscaping Corporation
New to Angi
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Marcos, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Eternal Turf & Pavers is a premier turf installation & landscaping company based in San Diego, California. Our customized service solutions specialize in the design and installation of artificial turf, pavers, and concrete. With over a decade of experience, our expert design & installation team is dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces into enduring masterpieces that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal.

13 neighbors recently requested a quote
...
Showing 1-10 of 90
Excavating questions, answered by experts

In most areas, you will need a permit for excavation work, even for projects that only involve grading or yard leveling. Permit requirements depend on your local government and the scope of the project, but they are especially common for significant digging or work that could affect utilities or public property. These permits help protect the local topography and prevent drainage issues. An experienced excavation company will typically know whether permits are needed and can often handle the process of pulling and closing them for you. You can also verify permit requirements by contacting your local building department and describing your project.

Trenching and boring are two distinct methods for installing underground utilities. Trenching involves digging a channel using equipment like an excavator, trencher, backhoe, or shovel. While it is a simpler process, it causes significant disruption to the surface, landscaping, and surrounding ecosystems.

Boring, also known as directional boring, is a less invasive alternative that uses a drill to create a tunnel for utility lines without disturbing the surface. This method is more precise and is ideal for installations that need to go underneath buildings, roads, or bodies of water. Although boring is less disruptive, it is generally more expensive than trenching.

The digging depth will depend on the size of the trencher you use. Even smaller units can dig up to 4 feet deep, which is plenty for a DIY job. However, much larger trenchers can reach a depth of 18 feet and are better used by a team of pro contractors, not a single DIYer. As with all home improvement projects, use the right tool for the job and proceed with caution.

The best method for digging a trench depends on the scope of the project. For a short, shallow trench (less than 2 feet deep) in light, soft soil, digging by hand may be sufficient. However, digging by hand is labor-intensive, so consider the effort required. A machine trencher is the better option for longer trenches (over 100 feet), deeper ones, or when dealing with difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or hard ground, or obstructions like tree roots. A machine can save significant time and energy in these situations.

Most residential basements are 8 to 10 feet deep. You can dig deeper depending on building codes, but it does become more difficult. You’ll likely need to install stronger foundation walls and additional supports to handle the increased load. Depending on the water table, you may also need a water management system. Clay soil can support a deeper foundation than sandy soil. A structural engineer will be able to tell you the maximum, feasible depth.

The San Marcos, CA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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