Excavation Contractor in Hillsboro, OR

Hillsboro Excavation Co. handles site prep, grading, land clearing, drainage, and utility trenching for homes and businesses across Hillsboro and Washington County — done right the first time, on time and on budget.

Get a Free Estimate Call (971) 397-9361

Licensed & insured in Oregon Free on-site estimates Residential & commercial Wet-season drainage experts

Local Crew

Based in Hillsboro. We know Washington County soil, permits, and terrain.

On Time, On Budget

Straight quotes with no hidden costs and crews that show up when we say we will.

The Right Iron

Excavators, skid steers, and dump trucks sized to your site — no delays waiting on equipment.

Permit & Erosion Ready

We pull grading permits and build in erosion control from day one.

Our Excavation Services in Hillsboro

Hillsboro Excavation Co. is a full-service excavation contractor covering everything from a single trench to a full commercial site build. Every job starts with a walk of your property and a straight answer on scope, timeline, and cost. Here is what our crew does across Hillsboro and the surrounding Washington County communities.

Site Preparation

Clearing, grubbing, and grading a lot into a level, compacted, build-ready pad for a new home, shop, or addition.

Site prep in Hillsboro →

Land Clearing

Removing trees, brush, stumps, and debris from wooded and overgrown lots common on Hillsboro's rural edges.

Land clearing →

Grading & Leveling

Precision grading to shape drainage slopes and hold grade within a tenth of a foot for driveways, pads, and yards.

Grading & leveling →

Drainage & French Drains

French drains, catch basins, and swales to move water off saturated Willamette Valley clay before it damages foundations.

Drainage solutions →

Utility Trenching

Clean, code-compliant trenching for water, sewer, gas, power, and irrigation lines with proper backfill and compaction.

Trenching & utilities →

Foundation Excavation

Digging footings, basements, and crawl spaces to spec, squared and to depth, ready for the concrete crew.

Foundation digs →

Driveway & Gravel

Building and repairing gravel and rock driveways with proper base, crown, and drainage that survive the rainy season.

Gravel driveways →

Demolition & Removal

Tearing out old structures, slabs, sheds, and concrete, with debris hauled off and the site left clean and level.

Demolition →

Dirt Hauling & Removal

Hauling in fill or hauling out spoils by the cubic yard, with fast turnaround and clean loads.

Hauling & removal →

Excavator clearing trees and stumps on a wooded lot in Hillsboro, OR — Land clearing and stump removal on a rural lot near Hillsboro, OR.

Why Hillsboro Homeowners and Builders Choose Us

Hillsboro is not a flat, dry town, and excavation here is not one-size-fits-all. The Willamette Valley sits on heavy silty clay that holds water all winter, the water table climbs from October through May, and parts of the county hit basalt rock a few feet down. A crew that does not account for that leaves you with pooling water, settling pads, and failed drainage.

We have moved dirt across the whole area — from the new subdivisions in South Hillsboro and Witch Hazel, to the tech campuses around Orenco Station and Tanasbourne, to the rural acreage out toward North Plains and the Jackson School corridor. We know which soils drain, which do not, and what the City of Hillsboro and Clean Water Services expect on erosion control.

Straight, itemized quotes. You get a written estimate that spells out scope and cost. No surprise change orders.
We show up. Crews arrive when scheduled and keep you posted if weather moves the plan.
Drainage done right. We build water management into every grade, which matters more here than almost anywhere.
Permits handled. Grading permits, erosion control, and DEQ 1200-C coverage when the job needs it.
Clean sites. Spoils hauled, debris gone, grade left ready for the next trade.
Licensed and insured. Proof of coverage before we break ground.

Utility trenching for water and sewer lines on a Hillsboro, OR job site

How Much Does Excavation Cost in Hillsboro, OR?

Most residential excavation projects in Hillsboro run $1,500 to $6,500, though the real number depends on how much material moves, the slope of your lot, soil and rock conditions, and access for equipment. Excavator-and-operator time runs about $110 to $190 per hour, and hauling spoils off site costs roughly $60 to $120 per cubic yard. Below are typical ranges we see across Washington County so you can budget before we ever come out.

Project	Typical size	Typical Hillsboro cost
Residential site prep (home pad)	1/4 – 1/2 acre	$2,500 – $8,000
Land clearing (light brush)	per acre	$1,500 – $3,500
Land clearing (wooded, stumps)	per acre	$3,500 – $9,000
French drain / drainage system	100 – 150 ft	$1,800 – $5,500
Utility trenching	per linear foot	$12 – $30
Foundation / footing excavation	average home	$2,000 – $6,500
Gravel driveway (build)	16 ft × 100 ft	$2,500 – $6,000

Ranges are typical for the Hillsboro / Washington County area and include excavation, basic grading, and cleanup. Rock, steep slope, poor access, or heavy winter saturation can raise costs. We give a firm, itemized quote after a free site visit — no obligation.

What Working With Us Looks Like

1. Free on-site estimate

We walk your property, look at soil, slope, access, and drainage, and give you a written, itemized quote — usually within a day.

2. Permits & erosion control

We pull the grading permit and set up erosion control so your job is compliant with the City of Hillsboro and Clean Water Services from the first shovel.

3. The dig

Our crew brings the right equipment for your site, moves the dirt, and holds grade to spec — with daily cleanup so the site stays workable.

4. Clean handoff

Spoils hauled off, grade verified, site left ready for your concrete, framing, or landscaping crew. We do not leave a mess behind.

Commercial & Builder Excavation

New crushed-rock gravel driveway with drainage on a rural Hillsboro, OR property — A finished gravel driveway with a drain-rock shoulder on a Washington County property.

Beyond homeowners, we work with builders, developers, and property managers across Hillsboro's fast-growing commercial and residential corridors. From mass grading a new subdivision phase in South Hillsboro to cutting building pads and utility runs near the Silicon Forest tech campuses, we bring the equipment and the scheduling discipline that keeps a project on track. We coordinate with your GC, hit inspection windows, and document erosion control for the county. If you need a reliable excavation sub who will not blow your timeline, we should talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does excavation cost in Hillsboro, OR?

Most residential excavation projects in Hillsboro run $1,500 to $6,500, with hourly excavator-plus-operator work at $110 to $190 per hour and dirt hauled off at roughly $60 to $120 per cubic yard. Site prep for a new home pad typically lands between $2,500 and $8,000 depending on slope, soil, and how much material has to be moved.

Do I need a permit to excavate or grade in Hillsboro?

Usually yes. The City of Hillsboro and Washington County require a grading permit for most work that moves significant soil, and erosion-control rules from Clean Water Services apply to nearly all sites. Jobs disturbing an acre or more also need Oregon DEQ 1200-C stormwater coverage. We pull the right permits and handle erosion control as part of the job.

How long does an excavation project take?

A typical residential site prep or grading job takes one to three days. Land clearing on a wooded lot or a full drainage system can run three to five days. Weather is the biggest variable in Hillsboro — the wet season from October through May can push saturated-soil work back.

Do you work in winter and the rainy season?

Yes. Willamette Valley clay holds water, so wet-season excavation takes extra care with drainage, matting, and compaction. We schedule around the heaviest rain and build erosion control in from day one so your site does not turn to mud.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Hillsboro Excavation Co. is a licensed and insured excavation contractor serving Hillsboro and Washington County. We carry general liability and provide proof of coverage before any work begins.

Get Your Free Hillsboro Excavation Estimate

Tell us about your project and we will come walk the site and give you a straight, itemized quote — no obligation, no pressure. Call us, or send the form and we will get back to you the same business day.

Prefer to talk?

Call or text and reach us directly. We answer during business hours and return every message.

(971) 397-9361

Hours: Mon–Sat, 7am–6pm