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    Verified excavation services reviews

Find Excavation pros in San Rafael

Avatar for Castaneda Grading & Excavating
Castaneda Grading & Excavating
5.0(
23
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing+2 more

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Humberto is a very creative problem solver! Personable and definitely interested in customer satisfaction, so spends time understanding the full scope of the problem. The problem was the subterranean north wall of the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Vallejo that was far from being waterproof, especially with the rains last winter. Castaneda dug out the soil next to the wall, pressure washed it and applied two coats of DryLok and then a layer of Henryâ s waterproofing. Then Humberto installed a French drain and then a big pipe to route the water off of five downspouts. To get the correct drainage slope, more excavating needed to be done than anticipated. Removed five landscaped trees and lots of concrete that was in the way of the drains which were to be routed under city sidewalks."
Garden
Graded
Finished driveway
Final slope grade
Finish grade 4 inches below sidewalk

+77

Response time1 day
Response rate96%
22 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for M P Excavating & Engineering
M P Excavating & Engineering
4.5(
15
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For Business+1 more

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Ultimately happy with the end result and fair price for our 30ft sewer lateral replacement. Miguel was professional, friendly, and hardworking. However, communication was a bit spotty and we had follow up many times (I understand this is the busy season, though). Also, it was unclear if we were supposed to call 811; we assumed he would, but didn't, and this was an issue as the water line was hit during construction and the city had to come to shut it off on the whole street. It was handled quickly, but would have been avoidable. The project ended up taking much more time than expected, but it was completed in a day, as promised. I would recommend him, but you should be diligent and responsible yourself to make sure all the right steps are being taken."
Large drainage project
Large drainage project
Large drainage project
Large drainage project
Large drainage project

+11

Response time1 day
Response rate98%
25 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for SH Grading & Excavating
SH Grading & Excavating
5.0(
16
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingExcavation - Major Grading or ReslopingLandscape - Minor Grading or Resloping+2 more

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I am incredibly pleased with this company. The entire crew were 100% professional. The owner of the company took time to answer my homeowner questions as they came up. He was very patient and thorough. All the men on the job worked incredibly hard and stayed on task throughout the project. They installed the French drain, installed a washout and removed an old deck all in a weekend. I would most certainly recommend them."
Grading
Grading
Grading
Grading
Dirt pile

+25

Response time7 hrs
Response rate100%
16 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Orlando's Landscaping
Orlando's Landscaping
4.9(
13
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I used Orlandoâ s company for a large project in the front yard (walls, demo, New stairs, new path, new sod install, lighting) and a synthetic turf job in the back. Both ended up looking great!"
Response time12 hrs
Recommended by92%of homeowners
JOHN MOUNTAIN
5.0(
7
)
Building Site - Preparation and ClearingBuilding Site - Preparation and Clearing - For BusinessExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"I cannot say enough about how good this experience with John Mountain/Mountain Engineering has been. They said it would be 3 weeks; anti was. The work was painstakingly done, including a French drain behind the wall. And they replaced the plants that were destroyed during the process, which was an unexpected bonus."
Response time10 hrs
12 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by57%of homeowners
Avatar for IVANSCAPING CORP
IVANSCAPING CORP
5.0(
7
)
Landscape - Minor Grading or Resloping

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Ivanscaping is a full service landscaping and yard and garden maintenance company. Owner Ivan Melendez is an experienced certified professional who trains his crew very well, and is very understanding of your needs. My lawn was brown and full of weeds with an irrigation system in bad shape. Within a couple of weeks under Ivanâ  s care, it is now green and flourishing. And my plants look great too!"
Response time4 hrs
Recommended by33%of homeowners
Avatar for E G Paving Construction, Inc.
E G Paving Construction, Inc.
5.0(
2
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Edgar and his employees were amazing. Their bid was the best. Other guys said they would have to rip up pavement that this crew could do no problem minimally. The guys were so well groomed and polite. Not that that matters but it was an extra bonus. Lovely crew and incredible job in a few days. I will for sure use them again."
Driveways
Building pads
Concrete patio
Preparation
Asphalt pave

+4

Response time2 days
20 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by50%of homeowners
Avatar for Ultra Construction Group Inc
Ultra Construction Group Inc
4.4(
5
)
Excavation - Major Grading or ReslopingExcavation - Major Grading or Resloping - For Business

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Gio and the entire Ultra Construction Group team are amazing. They showed up on time and were incredibly organized and their attention to detail made the project even better then I imagined. I would highly recommend this company for any concrete project big or small."
Response time2 days
Response rate90%
45 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

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.

Trenching is a specific kind of digging. Trenching means digging a depression in the earth that’s deeper than it is wide, often with heavy machinery. Digging refers to any kind of removal of earth in order to create a human-made depression, hole, or cut in the earth’s surface. You can dig with big tools or even with just a hand shovel.

Hardscaping often requires preparation of the ground in the area where the feature is being installed. This can include digging, compacting, and leveling the soil, ensuring adequate drainage, and removing any existing plants. The extent of preparation needed will depend on the type and size of the hardscaping feature being installed.

If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.

Whether you grind or dig up and remove your tree stump depends on your landscaping goals. Using a stump grinder leaves the root system in place for it to decompose over time, whereas digging up the tree stump removes the roots and the stump. Overall, stump grinding is a far simpler process since you won’t need to deal with the roots. Stump removal will make your yard look like a demolition site, but you’ll have an easier time replanting in the same place as your former tree.

The San Rafael, CA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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