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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
9 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by90%of homeowners
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%
28 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Kan Builders
Kan Builders
5.0(
7
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Marcos, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I am so glad I went with Kan Builders! They just finished up our pavers and concrete stairs patio, and the backyard looks incredible. The best part of the whole experience was working with Keme. As a woman dealing with home renovations, it was so refreshing to work with her she is incredibly nice and so funny, which made the whole process completely stress-free. The craftsmanship is wonderful, and the team was fantastic from start to finish. I highly recommend them!"
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.

12 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

Most states do not require excavation companies to hold specific licenses, but many require at least a contractor’s license. Additionally, heavy equipment operators require a special commercial equipment license to operate machinery required for excavation. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing tool to confirm that an excavation company you’re considering hiring is fully licensed. You should also make sure that the excavation team is fully insured before allowing them to work on your property.

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 many ways to cut through roots when digging, especially if your trencher doesn’t seem to be removing the roots. First, use a shovel to expose the roots. Then, use gardening shears to clear out smaller roots or a reciprocating saw to remove larger plant roots. If you plan on keeping the plant, avoid cutting any roots over 2 inches thick.

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.

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.