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Find Excavation pros in San Rafael

Avatar for Castaneda Grading & Excavating
Castaneda Grading & Excavating
5.0(
23
)

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 Orlando's Landscaping
Orlando's Landscaping
4.9(
13
)

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
)

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
)

Serving San Rafael, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Two large projects. Couldn’t be happier. On time, excellent workmanship, wanting to please but open to making suggestions when asked. Superior design and quality of work. Reasonably priced. Thorough clean up after the job . Owner on site to supervise work. Owner very knowledgeable. Owner returns calls promptly. Neighbors LOVE our fencing and landscape."
Response time4 hrs
Recommended by33%of homeowners
Avatar for E G Paving Construction, Inc.
E G Paving Construction, Inc.
5.0(
2
)

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
17 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by50%of homeowners
Avatar for Ultra Construction Group Inc
Ultra Construction Group Inc
4.4(
5
)

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%
53 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.

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.

Drilled wells have a pipe sticking up that’s covered in a plastic or metal casing. On the other hand, a dug well will look like a big hole in the ground and is more similar to what you’d see in a fantasy or Western movie. If you want to be sure, contact the city for documentation on your property’s construction and excavation history. 

Most professional excavation teams will charge between $8 and $15 per cubic yard. Calculate the cost by finding the volume of your pool—width x length x depth—and dividing it by 27. Then, multiply the price by the cubic yards from your equation. Budget for complications like a rocky lawn, hard-to-access pool area, or high local labor prices.

You do not have to dig footers for a deck as long as it meets local code and holds up to weather in your area. If you live somewhere that experiences high winds and earthquakes, you may need to dig for your deck posts. Deck blocks, post anchors with base plates, and helical pile systems are the three no-dig deck post options you can choose from if local code permits.

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.