Excavation guides for Sacramento property owners
Practical answers on costs, permits, drainage and what to expect, written for people planning real work on real ground.
Costs and Permits
Do You Need a Grading Permit in Sacramento County?
Thinking about a grading permit in Sacramento County? Learn how permits differ by jurisdiction, what to ask the agency, and how to plan your earthwork.
Costs and PermitsHow Much Does Excavation Cost in Sacramento?
What drives excavation cost in Sacramento: access, soil, haul distance, rock, groundwater, permits and scope. Learn how to get comparable written estimates.
Drainage
Clay Soil Drainage Problems in Sacramento
Why clay soil causes drainage problems in Sacramento yards, how to spot them, and fixes that work: grading, drains and outlets. Request a written estimate.
DrainageHow to Plan a French Drain for a Sacramento Yard
Plan a French drain in a Sacramento yard: find the water problem, pick the route, slope and outlet, and avoid common mistakes. Request a written estimate.
DrainageRetaining Wall Excavation and Drainage Basics
How retaining wall excavation and drainage work in the Sacramento area: footings, backfill, drain pipe, clay soil, permits and when engineering is needed.
Planning
Hardpan and Rock Excavation in the Sacramento Foothills
What to expect digging through hardpan, granite and boulders in the Sacramento valley and foothills: effects on schedule, scope and how to plan for it.
PlanningSeptic System Excavation: What to Know Before You Dig
Septic system excavation in the Sacramento area: permits, soil and percolation testing, setbacks, access and scheduling. Know the steps before you dig.
PlanningWhat to Expect on an Excavation Project, Start to Finish
A plain walkthrough of an excavation project from first call to cleanup: site walk, 811, estimate, mobilization, work days, weather and final walkthrough.
Safety and Rules
Call 811 Before You Dig in California
California law requires calling 811 (USA North) at least two working days before you dig. Learn how it works, what it misses and how to dig safely.
Safety and RulesTrenching for Utilities: What to Know Before You Dig
Planning a utility trench in the Sacramento area? Learn about 811 locating, depth and bedding, soil and rock, permits, backfill and what to prepare.
Site Prep
Land Clearing vs. Grubbing: What Is the Difference?
Land clearing and grubbing are different steps. Learn what each includes, when you need both, and how to plan lot clearing in the Sacramento area.
Site PrepSite Prep for a New Home Pad in the Sacramento Area
How site prep for a new home pad works in the Sacramento area: clearing, stripping, grading, compaction, drainage and permits. Request a written estimate.
Tell us about the job. Get a written estimate.
Send the address, what you need done, and your timeline. We will reply with next steps.