Excavation & Trenching Services in Hillsborough, CA
Hillsborough is almost entirely residential: big lots, winding hillside streets, long driveways and mature oaks and redwoods. Projects here usually mean tight access behind large homes, digging around existing gas, electric and water lines, and keeping water moving on sloped lots. Harris Excavation handles excavation, grading, trenching and drainage across Hillsborough for homeowners, architects and general contractors.
We’re a licensed general engineering contractor (CSLB #1117960) based a short drive up the Peninsula in South San Francisco, and we’re PG&E Operator Qualified.
What We Do
- PG&E service upgrades and relocations. We dig the trench, meet the PG&E inspector and backfill. Residential trenching
- Hand and hydrovac excavation around live utilities and tree roots where a machine would do damage
- Drainage and grading that moves water away from your foundation and off the slope. Residential drainage
- Foundation and addition excavation for remodels, additions and new homes. Residential excavation
- Retaining wall excavation and backfill on terraced and hillside lots
- Erosion control to keep exposed soil in place through the rainy season. Erosion control
Digging on a Hillsborough Lot
Most Hillsborough homes were built decades ago, and the ground around them is full of old service lines, irrigation and roots. Before we dig, we open a USA ticket and plan the trench route around what’s there. Where lines are crowded or roots are in the way, we switch to hand tools or a hydrovac truck, which cuts soil with water and vacuums it into a tank, so nothing gets nicked and no dirt piles sit in your driveway.
The Town regulates tree removal and grading, so we review your plans and scope up front and tell you which permits likely apply before we price the job. If an arborist is involved, we work to their tree protection notes.
Hillsborough Project: PG&E Electrical Service Relocation
In June 2025 a Hillsborough homeowner needed a PG&E-qualified trenching contractor as soon as PG&E approved their electrical service relocation. With several existing utilities in the alignment, we hand-dug the trench to avoid any damage, passed the PG&E inspection and backfilled over the new conduit the same day. See the full project.
Where We Work in and Around Hillsborough
We work throughout Hillsborough, from the flats near Burlingame to the hillside streets toward Skyline. Nearby, we also serve Burlingame, San Mateo, Millbrae, Belmont and the rest of San Mateo County.
Hillsborough Excavation FAQ
Can you dig around existing gas and electric lines?
Yes. After the USA ticket clears, we expose existing lines by hand or with a hydrovac truck before any machine work, so the new trench goes in without damaging what’s already there.
Do you handle trenching for PG&E service upgrades?
Yes. We’re PG&E Operator Qualified. We dig to PG&E’s specs, coordinate the inspection and backfill once it passes. Our PG&E trenching FAQ covers the process in more detail.
Will I need a permit?
It depends on the scope. Grading, retaining walls and tree work can each trigger Town review. We’ll look at your plans and tell you what likely applies before we send a price.
Do you work directly with homeowners?
Yes. We work directly for homeowners and as the excavation subcontractor for general contractors and architects.
Get a Hillsborough Excavation Estimate
Tell us about your property and your project. We’ll walk the site, review the plans and send a clear written estimate. Request a free estimate