Excavation, grading and trenching done right in the Sacramento region.
Site prep, drainage and earthwork for homeowners, builders and light-commercial owners. In business 15+ years. Tell us about the job and get a written estimate.
What we dig, grade and haul
General excavation scope for residential and light-commercial sites. The final scope is confirmed in your written estimate.
Site Grading and Pad Preparation
Rough grading and pad preparation for homes, shops, additions and outbuildings, with drainage planned into the finished grade.
Trenching
Trenching for water, sewer, gas, electrical conduit, irrigation and drainage lines, dug to the depth and route your plans or inspector require.
Foundation and Basement Excavation
Excavation for footings, stem walls, slabs, crawlspaces and basements, dug to your plans and ready for the concrete crew.
Drainage and French Drains
Excavation for French drains, swales, downspout lines and catch basins that move water away from structures and low spots.
Land Clearing and Brush Removal
Clearing brush, small trees, stumps and debris from acreage and building sites so the land is ready to build on or use.
Driveway Excavation and Grading
Excavation, grading and subgrade preparation for new, widened or rebuilt driveways and access roads, shaped to drain.
Retaining Wall Excavation
Excavation for retaining wall footings, base and backfill drainage, done to your wall plans on sloped and terraced lots.
Septic System Excavation
Excavation for septic tanks, leach lines and replacements or repairs on rural parcels, done to your approved system design.
Demolition and Site Prep
Removal of old slabs, sheds, pools, concrete and small structures, followed by site cleanup so the lot is ready for the next phase.
Material Hauling: Import and Export
Hauling excess soil and debris off your site, and bringing in fill, base or other material when a project is short.
Rock and Gravel Placement
Delivery, spreading and grading of base rock, drain rock and gravel for driveways, drains, pads and access roads.
How a job runs
Every excavation job follows the same sequence, from the first look at the ground to the final cleanup.
Site walk
We look at access, slopes, soil, drainage and what is underground or overhead.
811 and layout
Utilities get marked through USA North 811. Limits and grades get staked.
Written estimate
Scope, assumptions and what is not included, in writing, before work starts.
Work
Excavation, grading, trenching or hauling, with erosion control where it applies.
Cleanup
Final grade checked, spoils handled as agreed, site left ready for the next trade.
Sacramento ground has opinions
Soil decides how a job is dug, drained and scheduled. Across the region the ground changes fast.
Valley clay swells and shrinks with moisture. Cemented hardpan can sit a few feet down in parts of the valley. Low areas near the rivers and the Delta side carry shallow groundwater in the wet months. Foothill sites in Folsom, El Dorado Hills and Placer County bring granite and boulders. We plan the equipment, the sequence and the drainage around what is actually in the ground.
Clay soil and drainage problems in Sacramento · Hardpan and rock in the foothills
Where we work
From the valley floor to the Sierra foothills. Permit requirements vary by city and county, so we check with the jurisdiction on each job.
Plan it before you dig
Plain-language guides on costs, permits, drainage and what to expect.
How 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.
Costs and PermitsDo 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.
DrainageClay 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.
15+ years in the dirt
Sac Excavation has been in business more than 15 years, working on the ground under Sacramento homes, driveways, drainage and building pads.
What you can expect
- Utilities located before digging starts
- Scope and assumptions in a written estimate
- Drainage planned with the grade, not after it
- Work sequenced around the wet season
- A clean, ready-to-build site at handoff
Common questions
What areas do you serve?
We serve the Sacramento region, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Davis, West Sacramento, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Natomas, Galt and the Placerville foothills. If your property is nearby, send the address and we will tell you whether we can take it on.
How do I get an estimate?
Use the request form or call. Give us the property address, what you want done, a rough size and your timeline. Photos or a site plan help. We confirm scope and reply with next steps and a written estimate.
Do I need a permit for grading or excavation?
It depends. Permit requirements vary by city and county, and by the size and location of the work. Confirm with your city or county before work starts. Our guide to grading permits in Sacramento County explains what to ask.
Do you call 811 before digging?
California requires contacting USA North 811 before digging, at least two working days ahead, so underground utilities can be marked. Utility locating is part of how any responsible excavation job starts.
How long has Sac Excavation been in business?
Sac Excavation has been in business for more than 15 years.
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.