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Avatar for Reliant Home Services, LLC dba NorCal Grading and Land Clearing
Reliant Home Services, LLC dba NorCal Grading and Land Clearing
4.9(
9
)

Serving Somerset, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Offers commercial services

"Sloped yard needed to be flattened and also terraced for new vineyard. This included excavation/removal of existing soil, new soil that was then used to create terraced beds, and install of rock and decomposed granite along with french drains and retaining walls"
8 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Verne Pershing, The Art of Gardening
Verne Pershing, The Art of Gardening
5.0(
2
)

Serving Somerset, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Free estimates

"Verne was hired to shore up our back hillside that supports our deck and previously completed landscaping. I was extremely impressed with all the extra steps he took to insure that the job was done properly. He consulted with our engineer and even brought in his own specialists to come up with the best way to handle our degrading slope. He and his crew completed the work as scheduled and to our complete satisfation. Verne continues to check on the status of his work even now - weeks after it was completed to make sure that everything is growing, watering cycles are correct, etc. I am so pleased to recommend Verne to anyone with simple or comp"
Accent Lighting
Overview
Starting a hillside
The Beginning
The Finished Hillside

+5

Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Excavating questions, answered by experts

To locate an underground downspout, you should start by identifying where the above ground gutter drains. Look for an entry point, such as a pipe or elbow leading into the ground. Follow the surface path for signs like depressions, landscaping disruptions, or wet areas after rain. You can use a metal detector or plumber’s snake to trace the pipe underground. For deeper pipes, a professional locator tool or camera inspection may be necessary. Visual markers or utility maps can also guide the search.

A trench that is less than 5 feet deep often doesn't require a protective system. Most residential trenches will not go this deep (the typical residential drainage trench is just 18 inches deep). In the event that an excavator needs to dig more than 5 feet beneath the surface, a protective system is required unless the excavation is in entirely stable rock.

You can dig 60 to 80 linear feet by hand per day depending on the depth. Digging a 100-foot trench by hand will take you two work days, but it can take longer if you have heavy or rocky soil. If you’re digging a deep trench or one that’s over 100 feet, consider renting a mechanical trencher, such as a walk-behind or ride-on, or calling a pro for help. 

Yes, you can excavate in the winter, but it might make the job harder. Frozen ground is harder to dig, and snow or ice can make the work site more hazardous. A contractor may need special equipment and techniques, such as ground-thawing methods, to break through frozen soil. Although winter excavation is possible, it may take longer and be more costly than excavating during warmer months.

Call 811 to locate and mark the gas lines at least three days before digging. In many areas, you can dig within 18 inches of the lines, though in some locations, the distance may be further. Check local regulations, as you may need a utility company representative onsite when digging. Document your calls to 811 and precautions taken to avoid gas lines. A homeowner can be held liable for hitting a gas line in some cases, but contacting the proper authorities and following all guidelines can offer protection.

The Somerset, CA homeowners’ guide to excavation services

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