Excavation, Trenching & Drainage in Pacifica, CA
Pacifica runs along the coast from Sharp Park and Rockaway Beach to Linda Mar and Pedro Point, with neighborhoods like Park Pacifica and Vallemar climbing the valleys behind them. Steep lots, coastal fog and winter storms make drainage and erosion control part of almost every project here. Harris Excavation handles excavation, trenching, grading and drainage across Pacifica for homeowners and general contractors.
We’re a licensed general engineering contractor (CSLB #1117960) based just over the hill in South San Francisco.
What We Do
- Drainage for wet yards, hillside runoff and water against the foundation. Residential drainage
- Trenching for water, sewer, storm and electrical lines, including tight hand-dug trenches where equipment won’t fit. Residential trenching
- Retaining wall excavation and backfill on sloped lots
- Foundation, addition and ADU excavation. Residential excavation
- Site prep for patios, parking pads and landscaping. Residential site preparation
- Erosion control to hold exposed soil through the wet season. Erosion control
Pacifica’s Grading Season in Plain English
Pacifica’s building code treats October 1 through April 30 as the wet season. Any permitted grading that starts in that window, or runs into it, has to be protected with temporary erosion control, and the City wants the grading plan and erosion control measures approved by September 30. On a hillside or coastal lot, that makes late spring through summer the time to move dirt.
One more thing to know: a grading permit doesn’t cover retaining walls, which are permitted separately. We’ll look at your scope and tell you which permits likely apply before we price the job.
Pacifica Project: Hand Trenching in a Tight Garden
A Pacifica homeowner needed a trench around their garden for a gopher mesh barrier, with trees and fencing right along the line. We dug it with hand tools and a cordless demo hammer, checked depth and position with a smart level and string line the whole way, and left the garden intact. See the full project.
Where We Work in and Around Pacifica
We work throughout Pacifica, from Sharp Park and Fairway Park to Linda Mar and Pedro Point. Nearby, we also serve Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae and the rest of San Mateo County.
Pacifica Excavation FAQ
Can I grade my yard in the winter?
Permitted grading between October 1 and April 30 needs approved erosion control in place, so it’s harder and slower. Small drainage fixes can often still happen; bigger grading is best scheduled for the dry months.
My yard stays soggy all winter. What can you do?
We look at where the water comes from and where it can legally go, then regrade, add French drains or tie downspouts into a buried line. Our article on how French drains work explains the options.
Can you dig where a machine won’t fit?
Yes. We bring compact equipment, and for tight side yards and gardens we dig by hand.
Do you work directly with homeowners?
Yes. We work directly for homeowners and as the excavation subcontractor for general contractors.
Get a Pacifica Excavation Estimate
Tell us about your lot and your project. We’ll walk the site and send a clear written estimate. Request a free estimate