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Serving Los Angeles, CA and surrounding areas. (213) 338-1277
New asphalt is only as good as what is under it. We excavate, grade, and compact the base correctly the first time so your driveway or parking surface does not sink, shift, or crack in a few years.
Grading and excavation in Los Angeles means reshaping the ground to the right level and slope before any paving begins. Excavation removes old material and unstable soil down to a stable depth; grading shapes the surface so it drains correctly and gives the pavement a uniform base to rest on. A standard residential driveway prep job typically takes one to two days on-site, with paving ready to follow within a day or two after a final inspection.
The reason this step matters so much in Los Angeles is the soil. Clay-heavy ground across much of the LA basin expands when wet and shrinks when dry - and that movement will crack, sink, or shift any surface built on top of it if the unstable material is not removed and replaced with a compacted aggregate base first. Skipping or rushing this step is the single most common reason new driveways fail early. If your project also involves significant slope correction or water management, our work connects naturally with drainage solutions to make sure water goes where it is supposed to after the job is done.
For hillside lots - a common situation in neighborhoods from Silver Lake to Bel Air - grading requires cut-and-fill work that is more involved than flat-lot prep. We handle both types of projects and pull whatever permits the city requires before a single shovel goes in the ground.
Standing water collecting near your home's foundation, garage slab, or along the driveway after LA's winter rains means the ground is not draining away from your structure. Regrading the surface to direct water away from the building is often the most effective long-term fix.
Sections of pavement that have dropped, tilted, or developed low spots are a sign that the ground beneath has shifted or settled. In LA's clay soils this is common after a wet winter followed by a dry summer, and regrading before repaving prevents the same problem from recurring.
No paving job can be done well without proper ground preparation underneath it. If you want to add or replace an asphalt driveway or a parking area, grading and excavation are the essential first step that determines how long your new surface will last.
Many LA homeowners with hillside or sloped properties want to create a level parking area or a usable side yard. Grading transforms an unusable slope into stable, functional ground - and it corrects drainage problems that would otherwise undermine any surface built on top.
We handle grading and excavation for residential driveways, parking pads, and commercial lots throughout Los Angeles. Every project starts with a site visit where we assess soil conditions, existing drainage patterns, slope, and what the surface will be used for - all of which affect how deep we excavate and how thick the base needs to be. For new construction or ADU projects, we coordinate with your paving crew or builder so the site handoff is smooth. Projects that involve significant water management also connect with our drainage solutions work - proper grading and drainage are two sides of the same problem.
For projects that uncover structural issues with existing pavement or require concrete borders after grading is complete, we can discuss concrete curbing and sidewalks as a natural follow-on service. Defined edges keep the finished surface contained, prevent edge erosion, and give the overall project a finished look that holds up over time.
For homeowners replacing an old driveway or installing a new one who need the ground properly prepared before asphalt goes down.
For LA properties on grades where cut-and-fill work, drainage channels, or retaining structures are needed to create a stable, usable surface.
For property owners and managers needing a large area excavated and graded before a new parking surface or lot reconstruction.
For homeowners adding a detached unit, expanding a garage, or building a new structure who need site grading done before foundation or paving work begins.
Los Angeles presents two challenges that contractors in flat, temperate cities rarely face together: clay-heavy soils and hillside terrain. Much of the basin sits on expansive clay that moves significantly with moisture changes, which means standard excavation depth in other markets is often not enough here. A contractor who does not account for local soil conditions when setting excavation depth and base thickness is building a problem into the job from the first day. In communities like Glendale, where hillside lots are common and clay soils are the norm, grading work frequently involves both challenges at once - requiring more preparation and care than a flat-lot job in the Valley.
The city's Mediterranean climate also shapes the scheduling window. Grading and excavation are best done during the dry season - roughly late spring through early fall - when soil is workable and rain will not wash freshly graded surfaces before compaction. The permit process in Los Angeles adds additional planning time, especially for sloped lots or projects near a public sidewalk or street. Homeowners in neighborhoods like Burbank and other hillside-adjacent communities who have tried to schedule grading work through the wet season have learned the hard way that timing matters. We help you plan ahead so the project starts in the right conditions and finishes on schedule.
We visit your property to look at the existing grade, soil conditions, slope, and drainage patterns. You receive a written estimate that breaks out excavation, grading, base material, hauling, and any permit costs - no lump-sum surprises.
For most residential grading projects in Los Angeles - especially on sloped lots - a grading permit is required. We handle the application and submit any required plans. We will give you a realistic estimate of the approval timeline so your overall schedule stays on track.
Before any digging, underground utilities are located and marked per California requirements. The crew then removes soil and old material to the required depth, cuts high spots, fills low spots, and compacts in layers. Excess soil is staged for hauling.
The crew fine-grades the surface to the precise drainage slope, then spreads and compacts aggregate base material in lifts. If a permit was pulled, a city inspector signs off before paving begins. Once approved, your site is ready for the paving crew within a day or two.
Free on-site estimate. We assess your soil, slope, and drainage before quoting anything. Respond within 1 business day.
(213) 338-1277Our license is on file with the California Contractors State License Board and can be verified at cslb.ca.gov before you hire us. Every grading job includes proper liability coverage - ask for both before any equipment arrives on your property.
Los Angeles grading permits can be complex, especially on sloped lots or projects involving significant soil movement. We handle the application, coordinate required inspections, and keep your project moving - so you are not left waiting or dealing with city paperwork on your own.
Much of the Los Angeles basin sits on expansive clay soils, and many residential lots are on hillsides where cut-and-fill grading is needed. We know how these conditions behave, what depth is needed to isolate pavement from soil movement, and how to build a base that holds up through multiple wet and dry seasons.
A properly graded surface directs water away from your home, garage, and neighboring properties. We plan drainage before we grade - not as an afterthought. For more on grading and pavement base standards, see the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the California Contractors State License Board.
Every grading and excavation project we take on is backed by a written estimate, proper permitting, and a crew that understands what makes the ground behave the way it does in Los Angeles. You get a base that your paving investment can actually rest on.
Once the site is graded and ready, concrete curbing defines your paved area and keeps edges clean and structurally sound.
Learn MoreWhen grading alone is not enough to manage water runoff, dedicated drainage systems channel water safely away from your property.
Learn MoreThe dry season is the right time to excavate and grade before paving begins. Call today for a free on-site estimate and get your project on the schedule before the rainy season arrives.