Services
Site Preparation and Excavation in Portland, Lake Oswego & Beaverton
#100592.By Yuriy Cheshev, Owner · Last updated June 2026
Rated 5.0 Stars on Google · 30+ Years in Business
The owner answers, not a call center.
Signs You Need Site Preparation or Excavation Work
Most site prep calls start with one of these situations. Two or more on the same property usually means the groundwork was never done right, and the landscape or building above it is paying the price.
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The lot is raw, overgrown, or full of debris.
A new build or undeveloped property needs land clearing, stump removal, and rough grading before anything else can happen. Skipping this step is how projects get delayed in week one. -
Standing water on the lawn or near the foundation.
Improper grading is the single most common cause. Water should move away from the house, not toward it. Once it pools, every other landscape decision is fighting an uphill battle. -
A failed or undersized drainage system.
French drains that have silted up, downspouts dumping at the foundation, or surface water cutting channels through beds and lawns. A yard drainage contractor can find the cause, not just chase the puddles. -
Slope or grade problems.
A yard that slopes the wrong way, washes out in heavy rain, or has eroded over time. Yard grading services correct the contour before you spend money on plants, hardscape, or sod that will not last. -
Excavation needed for hardscape, pools, or structures.
Patios, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, foundations, and underground utilities all need clean, accurate excavation done by someone who will protect the rest of the site. -
A construction project that is stalled because the site is not ready.
Builders and homeowners often discover too late that the site work is not in scope. We can come in, finish the prep, and hand a clean pad to the next trade.
If any of these match your property, call (503) 936-8910. We will walk the site, look at the actual conditions, and tell you what work is needed and in what order.
Our Site Preparation and Excavation Services
From clearing a single overgrown lot to full pre-construction site prep with grading and drainage, here is what we handle. Each service can be a standalone project or part of a larger landscape and construction package.
Land clearing services for residential lots, commercial parcels, and overgrown properties. Brush removal, blackberry and ivy removal, tree work coordination, stump grinding, and full debris hauling. We open the site, expose the actual grade, and prep it for the next phase of work.
Yard grading services to correct slope, fix drainage, and prepare a site for sod, hardscape, or new construction. We shape the ground to direct water away from foundations, control runoff during heavy Pacific Northwest rains, and create a level base where one is needed. Final grade is set by string line and laser level, not by eye.
Excavation for patios, retaining wall footings, ponds and water features, utility trenches, foundation prep, and underground drainage. Mini excavators, compact loaders, and the right equipment for tight residential sites. We protect existing landscape, hardscape, and structures during every excavation job.
Full drainage solutions including French drains, channel drains, downspout extensions, dry wells, and surface grading. As an experienced yard drainage contractor, we trace the actual source of the water before we install anything. A drain in the wrong place is just a more expensive puddle.
Topsoil import for new lawns and beds, fill dirt for grade corrections, soil amendment, and export of unsuitable material. Proper compaction in lifts so the pad does not settle six months later under your new patio or driveway.
Complete site preparation services for larger residential and commercial builds. Land clearing, rough grading, drainage, utility coordination, erosion control, and final grade to spec. One contractor for the whole site work scope, with one written proposal and one schedule.
How We Work
How a Site Preparation Project Works
Call (503) 936-8910 or request a quote online. We ask about the property, the project, and what needs to happen next. Then we schedule a site visit, usually within a few business days.
We walk the property, check slope and drainage patterns, identify access constraints, look at what needs to come out and what needs to stay, and talk through the project goals. You get a written proposal covering scope, equipment, debris handling, schedule, and price. No verbal numbers.
Once approved, we mobilize the right equipment, protect the rest of the property, and execute the work in the correct sequence. Clearing first, then rough grading, drainage and utilities next, then final grade. We hand off a clean site ready for the next phase, whether that is our own landscape crew or another trade.
Equipment, Materials, and Methods We Use
Three decades of Pacific Northwest site work have taught us which methods actually hold up here. Wet clay soils, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy seasonal rain change what counts as a good job.
- Mini excavators and compact track loaders sized for residential access without tearing up the rest of the property
- Laser levels and grade rods for accurate final grade, not eyeballed slope
- Geotextile fabric under drainage systems to keep clay fines out of the gravel
- Perforated drain pipe and clean drain rock sized for the flow, not whatever is cheapest at the yard
- Channel drains and catch basins for hardscape and high-flow areas
- Erosion control blankets and silt fence where required for the site and the season
- Compacted fill in lifts to prevent settlement under patios, driveways, and structures
We do not move dirt with hand tools when an excavator is the right call, and we do not bring an excavator where a shovel is more appropriate. Right tool for the actual job.
How Our Site Preparation Pricing Works
Most property owners and builders want a number before they call. We understand that, but giving you a flat “site prep costs $X per square foot” without seeing the property would be dishonest. Two lots the same size can need completely different work. Here is how we actually price the job.
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Free site visit first.
A member of our team comes to the property, evaluates conditions, and talks through the project. The site visit and initial consultation cost you nothing. -
Written proposal before any work starts.
Whether it is a small drainage repair or a full pre-construction site prep, you see the scope, equipment, materials, and price in writing before we mobilize. No verbal numbers. No surprise add-ons mid-project.
Three things drive the price on any site preparation or excavation job:
- Scope and square footage. A drainage repair around one downspout is a different conversation than full clearing and grading on a quarter-acre lot
- Site conditions and access. Tight residential sites, steep grades, wet clay soils, and large mature vegetation all affect the time and equipment required
- Disposal and import. Hauling brush, stumps, or excavated soil off-site has a dump cost. Importing topsoil or fill has a delivery cost. Both show up on the line items
What you will not pay for:
- Hidden charges for hauling or disposal that should have been in the original quote
- Verbal estimates that grow once the equipment is on-site
- Pressure to add work the site does not actually need
If you want a ballpark before we visit, call (503) 936-8910. Describe the property and the project, and we can usually give you a rough range over the phone with no obligation.
Site Preparation and Excavation Across the Portland Metro
We handle site prep and excavation across the entire Portland metro area, with no out-of-state office between you and the crew.
- Primary service area: Portland · Lake Oswego · Beaverton · Tigard · Tualatin · Sherwood · Wilsonville · West Linn · Oregon City
- Extended service area: Gresham · Milwaukie · King City · Happy Valley · Clackamas · Hillsboro
Looking for site preparation or excavation in a specific city? Visit our Service Areas page for full coverage details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do site preparation services cost in Portland?
It depends on the scope, the site conditions, and how much material needs to be moved or hauled off. Smaller drainage and grading jobs often run a few thousand dollars. Complete site preparation services for a new build, with clearing, grading, drainage, and utility prep, run higher. We provide a written quote after the site visit.
How long does site prep usually take?
A targeted drainage repair can wrap in a day or two. Land clearing on a residential lot typically runs three to seven days depending on vegetation and access. Full site prep for a new build, including clearing, rough grading, drainage, and final grade, can run two to four weeks depending on size and weather.
Do you handle drainage repairs as a standalone service?
Yes. Many of our calls are drainage-only. Standing water around the foundation, soggy lawn, mulch washing out of beds, or downspouts dumping at the wall are all common starting points. As a yard drainage contractor, we trace the source first, then design the fix.
Can you grade a yard that already has landscaping?
Yes. Targeted yard grading services in an existing landscape are possible, especially with mini excavators and compact equipment. We protect existing plants and hardscape, work around mature trees, and restore disturbed areas when the work is done. Larger grade corrections sometimes require removing landscape first.
Do you handle land clearing on overgrown or wooded lots?
Yes. Land clearing services include brush removal, blackberry and ivy removal, small tree work, stump grinding, and full debris hauling. For larger trees, we coordinate with licensed tree services and handle the rest of the clearing and grade work ourselves.
Are you licensed and insured for excavation work in Oregon?
Yes. We hold Oregon License #100592 and carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance on every project. Proof of insurance and any other paperwork your builder or general contractor needs is available on request.
Do you work with builders and general contractors?
Yes. We regularly handle site preparation and excavation as a subcontractor for residential builders, custom home contractors, and commercial GCs. We deliver to spec, hit grade by survey or plans, and coordinate with the next trade so the schedule does not slip.
Why to choose us
What People Say About Grover's
Grover’s holds a 5.0-star Google rating built over three decades of family-owned operation. Many of our site prep clients started with a drainage call and stayed for years of site work, landscape, and maintenance across multiple properties.
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Need Land Cleared, Graded, or Drained? Call Today.
Free site visit. Written proposal. Licensed operators. Family-owned in Oregon since 1995. Serving Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, and the surrounding Oregon metro area.
Grover’s Landscape Services & Design. Oregon License #100592.