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Excavation Contractors in San Antonio, Texas

Find excavation contractors serving San Antonio, Texas, for site preparation, land grading, trenching, foundation and basement digs, pond excavation and other earthwork. Compare local excavation companies, check which services each one offers, and contact them directly about your project.

Excavation Contractors Serving San Antonio

38 excavation contractors serving San Antonio confirm on their own websites that they offer excavation (checked October 2026). Each listing links to the page where the company describes the service, so you can check it yourself.

Excavation Services in San Antonio

ServiceWhat to ask the contractor
Site preparationWhich stages are included: clearing, grubbing, excavation, grading, compaction
Foundation and basement excavationEngineered depths, soil conditions, spoil haul-off
Land gradingDrainage direction, imported fill, compaction testing
TrenchingUtility locates, trench safety, backfill
Pond excavationDepth, spoil placement, spillway

How Much Do Excavation Contractors Charge in San Antonio?

Excavation typically costs $2.50 to $15 per cubic yard for ordinary soil, or $100 to $300 per hour for an excavator with an operator, according to HomeGuide’s 2026 guide. Its average total project is $1,100 to $5,600, with trenching at $5 to $12 per linear foot and pond digging at $300 to $3,200. These are national figures; no published source gives a reliable San Antonio-specific average. For the full breakdown, see excavation cost.

San Antonio Permits and Local Rules

San Antonio’s tree rules reach past city limits into the ETJ, so rural-looking land outside the city can still need a tree affidavit or permit before clearing.

RuleWhat it means for your projectSource
Tree affidavit or tree permitSan Antonio requires a tree affidavit or tree permit application before starting any clearing of vegetation, construction or tree removal, in the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).City of San Antonio tree ordinance FAQ
Protected tree sizesSignificant trees are 6 inches or more in diameter (10 inches for species such as Ashe juniper and mesquite), and heritage trees are 24 inches or more. Mitigation is required if minimum preservation isn’t met.City of San Antonio tree ordinance FAQ
Licensed tree workersAnyone hired to prune, treat or remove trees must hold a city-issued Tree Maintenance License. A homeowner at a finished home can remove trees without a permit.City of San Antonio tree ordinance FAQ
Stormwater (statewide)Disturbing 1 acre or more, or part of a larger common plan of development, needs TCEQ construction stormwater coverage.TCEQ
Burning debris (statewide)Allowed only under TCEQ conditions, never during a Bexar County burn ban or red flag warning.TCEQ GI-415; Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban map
Call 811 (statewide)Call at least two days before digging. The call is free.Railroad Commission of Texas

These are the rules most likely to affect a clearing or sitework job. Confirm requirements for your parcel with the city or county before work starts, and see land clearing permits for a full checklist.

How to Choose an Excavation Contractor in San Antonio

Send every bidder the same plans and dimensions. Ask whether the price is per cubic yard, per hour or a fixed total; whether spoil haul-off, imported fill, rock and compaction testing are included; who handles permits and utility locates; and what the finished grade will look like.

For background before you call, read site preparation, excavation cost and land grading. If the site still has trees and brush, start with San Antonio land clearing contractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do excavation contractors charge in San Antonio?

Excavation typically costs $2.50 to $15 per cubic yard for ordinary soil, or $100 to $300 per hour for an excavator with an operator, according to HomeGuide’s 2026 guide. Its average total project is $1,100 to $5,600, with trenching at $5 to $12 per linear foot and pond digging at $300 to $3,200. Get quotes from local contractors for your exact scope.

Do I need a permit for excavation in San Antonio?

Usually, yes. San Antonio requires a tree affidavit or tree permit application before any vegetation clearing, construction or tree removal, both inside the city and in its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Hired tree workers also need a city Tree Maintenance License. Jobs disturbing 1 acre or more need TCEQ stormwater coverage as well.

What’s the difference between excavation and land grading?

Excavation digs out or moves earth to reach required depths. Land grading shapes the surface to set slope and drainage. Many sitework contractors do both, but quotes often price them separately.

How are excavation contractors priced?

By the cubic yard, by the machine-hour or as a fixed total. HomeGuide lists $2.50 to $15 per cubic yard for soil and $100 to $300 per hour for an excavator with an operator. Ask which unit a quote uses before comparing bids.

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Sources

Reviewed October 15, 2026. Prices are attributed national estimates, not San Antonio quotes. Permit summaries are a starting point; confirm requirements for your parcel with the city or county.