Accessory dwelling units are the biggest backyard construction wave in Southern California — and every one starts with dirt work: a graded, compacted pad, utility trenches back to the main house or street, and equipment access through a residential side yard. We do all three in one mobilization.
Cut/fill to plan, moisture-conditioned compaction, drainage fall away from both structures — testable and certifiable.
Sewer with proper fall, water, power, and low-voltage — often the hardest-to-price part of an ADU; we quote it firm after a site walk.
Flatwork demo, tree/stump removal, and equipment through gates down to ~5 feet. Haul-off with our own trucks.
Backyard ADU pad graded behind an existing home — before/after pair
Related reading: grading permit basics · trenching · homesite grading.
Depends on the city and the foundation design — slab-on-grade ADUs on level lots often need standard compaction, while fill conditions or hillside lots trigger engineered fill with soils testing. Your ADU designer's plans dictate it; we grade to that spec and coordinate the testing.
Yes — sewer fall is the controlling factor. We plan the route at the site visit, and where depth or obstacles fight gravity we'll tell you early, because that's when an ejector-pump decision needs making — before concrete, not after.
A strip along the equipment route — which we protect where possible and rough-grade on the way out. Landscape restoration is cheaper than people fear; surprise utility strikes are not, which is why DigAlert marking comes first.
Free site visits and same-week estimates across Ventura & Los Angeles counties. Call, text, or send the job details.
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