Licensed California Excavation #620755A
If You Can Dream It, We Dig It.
Professional site preparation, wildland fire safety clearing, steep slope grading, and heavy civil excavation — serving Los Gatos, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Greater Bay Area for over 30 years. Direct owner oversight on every project. No hand-offs, no surprises.
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Years of Experience
Projects Completed
Insured | CalFire Approved
Response Time
About CStille Excavation
California Licensed Excavation Specialist
Chris Stille has been moving earth in the Santa Cruz Mountains since before most of today’s contractors entered the business. Based in Los Gatos on Bear Creek Road, CStille Excavation specializes in the steep slopes, unstable soils, and complex geology that define this region — terrain that general contractors routinely turn down.
As the owner and primary operator on every job, Chris personally oversees excavation from the first site walk-through to final grade sign-off. No project managers. No subcontractors running unsupervised. Just an experienced crew, specialized equipment, and 30 years of judgment on difficult terrain.
Direct Owner Oversight
Transparent Collaboration
Flexible Project Scaling
Rigorous Safety Standards
CStille Excavation Services
Everything Your Land Needs.
Expert Site Preparation & Grading in Los Gatos, CA. Heavy equipment solutions engineered for challenging terrains and limited-access sites.
Site Preparation & Grading
Full-service earthmoving, pad preparation, and precision slope grading for residential, ADU, and commercial builds. Experienced in the steep grades, clay soils, and seismic conditions that define Bay Area hillside construction.
Land Clearing & Wildfire Mitigation
Rapid removal of fallen trees, stumps, dense overgrowth, and poison oak using heavy-duty masticators. CStille builds CalFire-approved defensible space and fire lines for residential and agricultural properties in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Heavy Hauling & Debris Removal
Agile dump truck fleet for aggregate hauling, soil export, rock removal, and construction debris haul-away. Water hauling also available for dust control and site management. Serving Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, and across the South Bay.
Road & Driveway Construction
Road and driveway construction on steep slopes and rugged terrain across the Santa Cruz Mountains. CStille designs and builds access roads engineered for durability, drainage compliance, and long-term erosion resistance.
Fire Lines / CalFire Work
As an approved CalFire contractor, CStille installs fire lines, brush clearance zones, and emergency access corridors for residential properties and rural estates. All work is performed to current Public Resource Code 4291 standards and local county requirements.
Septic Systems & Drainage
Full excavation for septic installation, leach field preparation, and long-term stormwater drainage engineering. Experienced with challenging hillside lots other contractors avoid. Erosion control integrated into every project phase.
How We Work
Simple Process, Exceptional Results.
Consult & Site Assessment
We review your blueprints, topography maps, and local county requirements to outline a clear, permit-compliant development plan. Chris walks the site personally before any estimate is issued.
Transparent Budgeting
You receive an itemized, honest estimate with no hidden line items. Our long-standing relationships with regional material suppliers mean you get competitive pricing without sacrificing quality or timeline.
Precision Execution
Chris and our experienced crew arrive on time with the right equipment for your terrain. We handle grading, clearing, hauling, and drainage safely -- and we do not leave until the job is done right.
The CStille Advantage
Why Bay Area Property Owners Choose CStille Excavation
For over 30 years, property owners across Los Gatos, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the South Bay have trusted CStille Excavation for the jobs that demand real expertise — steep slopes, fire season deadlines, complex drainage, and terrain that most contractors will not touch.
30+ Years of Unmatched Expertise
Seasoned specialists in the unique soil, steep slope dynamics, and complex geological challenges of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the broader Bay Area.
Class A Licensed & Fully Compliant
California Excavation Engineer #620755A. Operating in strict compliance with Bay Area environmental regulations, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County codes, and CalFire requirements.
End-to-End Fleet Capabilities
In-house heavy dozers, masticators, and dump trucks for clearing, grading, and hauling. No delays waiting on outside equipment or subcontractors.
On Time, On Budget, Every Time
Efficient project management using our own specialized fleet and deep relationships with regional material suppliers to eliminate costly delays and surprise fees.
Risk Prevention & Wildfire Safety Built-In
Erosion control, stormwater drainage, and legally compliant defensible space clearing are engineered into every project phase by a certified CalFire contractor.
Our Work
Recent Projects
A sample of excavation, clearing, road building and hauling projects completed across the Bay Area.
Serving the Bay Area & Beyond
CStille Excavation provides specialized civil earthmoving services for homeowners, landowners, developers, and agricultural estate operators throughout the following areas
- Los Gatos
- Santa Cruz
- San Jose
- Saratoga
- Campbell
- Morgan Hill
- Scotts Valley
- Gilroy
- Soquel
- + Many More
Client Testimonials
Trusted by Bay Area Landowners
See why homeowners, landowners, and contractors across the Bay Area trust CStille Excavation for dependable excavation, land clearing, and site development services.
Chris is a very well-known, well-respected business owner. We’ve used his services several times — he’s extremely experienced and knowledgeable, answers all questions before the project starts, and is always punctual. They won’t disappoint!
Cristi Dentoni
GM, Automatic Gate Installations & Homeowner · Santa Cruz Mountains
Chris Stille is not only a fearless dozer operator, taking on nasty slopes for a leach field that few others would tackle, but when you call him, he’s there, for however long it takes, no excuses. Cheerful, helpful, and personable… yet really focused when he is moving dirt, paving, or taking down a tree.
George Green
Landowner, Los Gatos, CA
Chris Stille is one of the best contractors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I have used him for demolition, hauling, road building, installing two septic systems, and the excavation and drainage for my new home. His work is excellent, he delivers timely and on budget, and his pricing is fair. I highly recommend him.
Greg Lahann
Four Winds Tree Farm, Los Gatos, CA
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our excavation services, process, service areas, and licensing. Have more questions? Give us a call or send us a message — we’re happy to help.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Los Gatos, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Saratoga, Campbell, San Jose, and surrounding areas throughout Santa Clara, Santa Cruz Counties and other regions in California. For larger projects, we cover the broader Greater Bay Area.
What license does CStille Excavation hold?
We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured in the State of California under Excavation Engineer License #620755A. We operate in strict compliance with all local county engineering codes and environmental safety protocols.
Are you a CalFire-approved contractor?
Yes. CStille is an approved CalFire contractor, which means we are authorized to perform defensible space clearing and fire line installation in compliance with California Public Resource Code 4291 and current Santa Clara County fire safety requirements.
How quickly can you start a project?
We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. Timeline depends on project scope and current workload — for CalFire emergencies we prioritize rapid response. Contact us to discuss your schedule.
Do you handle CalFire & fire prevention work?
Absolutely. We are a proud Cal Fire contractor, using expert excavation and fire management techniques to establish and maintain defensible space — protecting homes and properties throughout California.
How do I get an estimate?
Fill out the estimate form on this page, call us at (408) 781-2731, or email cexcavate@earthlink.net. Chris personally reviews every inquiry and will follow up to schedule a site visit and provide a detailed, no-obligation quote.
Can you handle large commercial projects?
Yes. We manage a crew of several employees and contractors, and leverage a diverse fleet of heavy equipment to handle both small residential and large commercial projects efficiently.
Can you handle steep slopes and limited-access mountain properties?
Yes. Over our 30+ year history, specialized slope management has become our signature service. Our diverse fleet features specialized, compact, and high-performance machinery designed to safely access tight spaces, narrow ridges, and extreme slopes in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Bay Area’s most trusted excavation contractor for over 30 years. Call Chris directly or request a free, no-obligation estimate — fast response guaranteed.