Excavation and Grading cost in Chico, CA
Chico homeowners typically pay $7,450 – $22,300 for excavation and grading. Local labor and materials price 1% below the national average.
Chico average
$14,900
Typical low
$7,450
Typical high
$22,300
Per cubic yard
$50 – $150
Sample ZIP
95926
What drives Chico pricing
Local labor
Licensed Chico contractors carry California workers' comp and prevailing wage pressure, and crews here quote roughly 1% below the national labor average. Demand in the Sacramento market peaks in spring, so booking early usually beats a rush premium.
Permits & code
Chico follows the California Building Standards Code, so most structural, electrical, plumbing and re-roof work needs a permit from the Chico building department plus Title 24 energy compliance. Sacramento-area jurisdictions add floodplain review in parts of the valley.
Climate & conditions
Chico sits in a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with wet winters, so expect heat-rated materials and exterior work scheduled outside the wet winter.
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Estimated project cost
$8,693 – $11,970
Most homeowners pay around $10,331
Compare quality / material level
Cost by material in Chico
Installed Chico pricing per cubic yard.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Simple grading | $61 – $84 |
| Standard excavation and haul | $84 – $110 |
| Rock or difficult soil | $110 – $145 |
| Excavation with retaining and drainage | $145 – $200 |
Where the money goes in Chico
A typical $14,900 Chico project, broken down by line item.
- Labor0.45% · $67
- Materials0.38% · $57
- Permits & inspections0.05% · $7
- Overhead & profit0.12% · $18
Common add-ons
Extras that show up on Chico quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Soil haul-off
Rock breaking
Erosion control
Compaction testing
Ways to save in Chico
- Keep excavated soil on site for backfill and berms to avoid haul-off.
- Schedule when the ground is dry — wet soil doubles handling time.
- Collect three written bids on an identical scope — spreads of 20–40% are normal.
- Book in the off-season and stay flexible on the start date to save 5–15%.
- Bundle nearby work into one mobilization so you only pay setup and travel once.
- Ask what the contractor would change to cut 10% without hurting durability.
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Excavation and Grading cost near Chico
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$8,127 – $24,327
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