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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
12 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 Green Land Co.
Green Land Co.
4.9(
11
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Marcos, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I hired Green Land after meeting with almost a dozen landscape contractors. Jay met with us and went over our plans. Unprompted, he also showed us 4-5 different recent jobs that he had completed. Each of the owners greeted us and encouraged us to look no further. We are happy we ended up choosing Green Land. Theyve done a lot of houses in the La Costa area of Carlsbad and some in Del Mar. Really high end work. PROS: Workmanship. Attention to detail. Our pool was built in 2016 and we have had ZERO issues. Overall design was amazing. It made a huge difference to the front and back of our property. Green landscaping (our water bill dropped about $50/month despite adding more plants). Did I mention the workmanship? Second to none and still more cost effective than 90% of the bids we got. We cant wait to save up to buy another home to get to do the landscaping again. CONS: None! Ive recommended them to a few of our neighbors. From the looks of the signs in the neighborhood, it looks like they took our advice, too."
Response time1 day
Response rate96%
22 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

"We shared our vision with Mr. Hernandez of transforming our 2500 sq ft grass back yard into a water conserving oasis with new irrigation, drip watering system, rocks, boulders, plants and trees. He and his crew turned our vision into a reality with top notch work, attention to detail, and within our stated budget despite changes we made during the process. Mr. Hernandez was hands on, responsive and attentive to our needs (I'm a paraplegic) and even went with with us to the nursery to find the best plants and trees for our project. We couldn't be more happy!"
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 San Marcos, 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
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

Yes, trenchers can go through gravel. Gravel is made up of smaller, softer rocks that certain trenchers are able to cut through. Just be sure to use a rock wheel trencher or chain trencher, both of which are made to cut through rocky landscapes and gravel pathways without dulling the teeth or chain.

Slab foundations are more affordable than crawl spaces because they require minimal excavation, as the slab sits directly on the ground or on footers that only sink a few feet into the ground. Crawl spaces require excavation of the entire footprint of the home to several feet below the surface. Not only does that mean higher labor costs, but more materials are necessary for the concrete foundation walls.

Underground downspouts refer to the sections of downspout extensions that lead away from your home and gutter system. While they cost more than traditional extensions, they can provide several benefits, such as less frequent damage and no need to move them for lawn care tasks. Whether they're worth it or not depends on your budget at installation time and how much convenience they'll add to your situation.

The average cost of excavation is approximately $3,200, with typical projects ranging from $500 to $15,000. Depending on the contractor, you may be charged between $50 and $200 per cubic yard or an hourly rate of $40 to $180 for an excavation specialist. The total cost is influenced by several factors, including the project size, the amount of soil to be removed, and the soil's condition. Hard soil, tree roots, or excessive rocks and clay can increase the price, potentially adding $200 to $1,200 to the final bill. Other factors that can drive up costs include the presence of nearby structures that complicate the work or tight spaces that require manual excavation instead of heavy machinery.

There are several methods to hollow out a tree stump, and the best one depends on your tools, experience, and priorities. Common methods include using a chisel and hammer, a chainsaw, or burning.

  • Chisel and Hammer: This is often considered the easiest approach for those with limited tools or experience, though it is the most time-consuming.

  • Chainsaw: Using a chainsaw is the fastest method, but it comes with significant safety risks, especially for inexperienced users.

  • Burning: This can be an effective method, but it is not recommended unless you can first drill holes into the stump. Without holes, the stump will be difficult to light and may not burn completely through.

A power drill with at least a ⅜-inch diameter bit can make the job quicker and easier, regardless of the primary method. While you can use a chisel or chainsaw without a drill, it will require more time and effort. Always wear protective goggles and thick gloves, as splinters are an inevitable risk.

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.