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
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 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
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
Outdoor kitchen
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
...
Showing 1-10 of 90
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.

Digging a bush up by the roots is the most natural DIY method for removing a bush stump. Start by identifying the shrub type and revealing its roots. Cut the shrub to its base and loosen the soil, ensuring no utility lines are nearby. Optionally, treat the base with herbicide, then dig around the roots and cut a circle around the shrub using various tools. Dig a trench, cut the base of the root ball, and finally fill the hole to prevent regrowth. This thorough process ensures complete removal without damaging surrounding areas.

Yes. A metal detector is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find your septic tank. However, metal detectors can be too expensive (costing upward of $300 in some cases), and not everyone has a metal detector just lying around. If that’s the case for you, you can also take a long metal rod and poke it into the ground at regular intervals until you hit something—likely your septic tank lid.

Yes, an excavation company is the best option for land grading and yard leveling. General landscapers might be able to tackle these projects, but an excavation company will do a better job because they’re used to operating the necessary heavy machinery. Landscapers might opt to do the work manually, which takes much longer and could cost you more in labor fees. Finally, excavation companies will understand local regulations and know when you need permits to legalize the work, while a landscaper might not.

A perc test can take anywhere from one to eight hours to complete. The total time depends on factors like the amount of excavation required, the depth and width of the holes, and whether multiple test holes are needed. For a single hole, the process of filling it with water and monitoring the drainage rate usually takes less than an hour. Professionals can often complete the entire test in a single day. While it's possible to get results the same day, some companies may take a few days to provide the official report.

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.