Excavation questions from San Bernardino homeowners
Shandin Excavation collects these from the first calls. The service pages carry the questions specific to pools, pads, laterals and septic; these are the ones that apply to every job.
How the referral works
Is Shandin Excavation a contractor?
No. Shandin Excavation is a referral service that publishes the local price ranges and permit rules, then hands your request to one licensed California excavation contractor who works your city. That contractor quotes, contracts, pulls the permits and does the work.
Does the referral cost me anything?
No. The contractor pays for the lead. Your quote is on their paper at their price, and it should land inside the published range for your job.
How fast does someone call back?
Within one business day for a normal request, often the same afternoon. Active sewer or water emergencies are routed for same day response.
What should I have ready for the first call?
The address, what needs to be dug, the width of the gate or access, and a couple of photos of the yard. A plan or sketch if you have one. That is enough for a contractor to decide which machine to bring to the site walk.
The ground
Why does everyone keep asking about rock?
Because north of the 210 and in Highland the ground is alluvial fan material full of river cobble and granite boulders, and a boulder the bucket cannot lift changes a one day dig into two. South of the 10 the ground is sandy loam. The ground sets more of the price than the drawing does.
Can you dig in the rainy season?
Most weeks, yes. The valley gets about 15 inches of rain a year, mostly December through March, and the fan material drains fast. Clay near the Santa Ana River in Colton and the hillside lots are the ones that wait a few days after a storm.
Is there groundwater?
Rarely. The water table sits far down on the fans. The exceptions are the river bottom lots in Colton and near the Day Creek and Deer Creek channels in a wet winter.
Rules and permits
How deep can you dig before the rules change?
Five feet. Cal/OSHA Title 8 section 1541 requires sloped or benched walls or a trench shield past that depth, with a competent person inspecting daily. It is why a deep sewer lateral costs more per foot than a shallow water line.
Who calls 811?
The contractor, at least two working days before the dig. The utilities mark their lines for free. The marks have to be visible when the machine arrives.
Do I need a permit to grade my own yard?
When you move more than about 50 cubic yards, cut or fill more than a few feet, or change where water leaves the lot, yes, in every valley city. A small level pad on a flat lot often needs only a site plan with the building permit.
Can I check the contractor’s license?
Yes, at cslb.ca.gov in about a minute. Excavation is Class A or C-12; septic installers carry C-42. Any contract over $1,000 requires a license in California.
Ask the one that is not here
Call (443) 364-3676 or send the form below and one licensed contractor calls you back within one business day.