Yard Drainage and Grading in Contra Costa & Alameda County
Standing water, a soggy side yard or runoff coming toward the foundation usually comes down to grade and a missing drain path. We look at where water enters the property, where it sits and where it can legally go, then build a system that gets it there.
Licensed #1118886 · Bonded and insured · English and Spanish
Projects we take on
- French drains and subsurface drain lines
- Channel drains at driveways, patios and garage aprons
- Catch basins and area drains in low spots
- Downspout collection and tie-in lines
- Regrading side yards and lawn areas
- Hillside erosion control: fabric, terracing and planting
- Sump systems where gravity outlets are not available
Materials and finishes
- • Perforated and solid PVC or corrugated pipe
- • Clean drain rock and filter fabric
- • Channel drains, catch basins and grates
- • Pop-up emitters and outlet fittings
How the work goes
- 01Walk the siteWe trace the path water takes during a storm and find the low points and entry points.
- 02Set the outletA drain only works if it discharges somewhere legal and lower. We confirm that first.
- 03TrenchingTrenches are cut to a consistent fall toward the outlet.
- 04Pipe, rock and fabricPerforated or solid pipe is bedded in drain rock and wrapped where soil migration is a concern.
- 05Grading and restorationSurfaces are regraded to feed the system and the work area is restored.
Preparation, drainage and durability
Drainage gets designed with hardscape, not after it. When a patio, driveway or wall is going in, the drain lines go in first so the finished surface never has to be opened up again.
Why hire Golden Hills
- More than 20 years of hands-on experience
- Licensed California contractor #1118886
- Bonded and insured, owner-led crews
- Clear written estimates before work starts
- Organized job sites and full cleanup
- English and Spanish communication
Reputation
Customer feedback
“My wife and I recently hired Golden Hills Landscaping for a fence and retaining wall repair project that ultimately evolved into a complete backyard makeover. We could not be happier with the results. Alonso, the owner, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He took our general ideas and turned them into a cohesive, functional outdoor design that beautifully complements our property while staying within our budget. The craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the project were outstanding. Alonso and his team were consistently prompt and professional. Whenever unexpected issues arose, Alonso was transparent and communicated clearly about the situation, available options, and any associated costs.”
“Had a great experience with Golden Hills Landscape. They installed pavers, irrigation, rocks, and sod in my backyard and did a fantastic job. Super professional, great prep work, and everything was done in a timely manner. Pricing was very fair. The yard looks amazing--would definitely use them again and highly recommend.”
“Viktor listened to my concerns about my cracked driveway and came up with a creative, cost-effective solution that worked perfectly. The team worked tirelessly from morning until night and never skipped a day, staying on schedule and completing the job within the proposed time period. The quality of the work was outstanding--my driveway looks beautiful now, and the entire process was seamless.”
Google reviews above are pulled live from our Google Business Profile and shown unedited. Every quote links to the original review.
Drainage & Grading questions we get
- Why is water pooling next to my house?
- Usually the grade falls toward the structure or a downspout dumps at the foundation. Both are fixable, often together.
- What is a French drain?
- A perforated pipe bedded in drain rock that collects subsurface water and carries it to an outlet. It is the standard fix for a soggy lawn or a wet side yard.
- Can you fix a hillside that is washing out?
- Yes. Erosion control usually combines grading, erosion-control fabric, terracing or a wall, and planting that holds the soil.
- Where does the water go?
- To a lower point on the property, a street curb outlet or an approved discharge, depending on your lot and city rules.
- Can drainage be added under an existing patio?
- Sometimes along the edges. Running a line under an existing slab usually means cutting it, which is why we install drainage during construction.
- Will a dry creek bed solve it?
- It helps with surface flow and looks good, but it is not a substitute for a piped system when water needs to travel.
- Do you handle sump pumps?
- Yes, where there is no gravity outlet available.
Related services
Where we work
Ready to Improve Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re planning a new driveway, patio, walkway, retaining wall, drainage system or complete outdoor renovation, Golden Hills can help you understand the right next step.