SERVING LIVERMORE FROM OUR HAYWARD SHOP
Underground Utility Trenching in Livermore, CA
Trenching for gas and electric service lines, conduit runs and PG&E service connections on homes, ADUs and new builds.
Private-Property Utility Work
Underground utilities and trenching in Livermore
We're an underground utility trenching contractor based in Hayward, licensed for plumbing and PG&E OQ qualified for gas and electrical work. In Livermore we work on private property, from the meter or PG&E's service point to the building.
PG&E service connections
The trench for a new or upgraded underground electric or gas service, dug to PG&E's design and ready for its inspection.
Gas lines to the house or ADU
New or upsized gas lines from the meter to the building. See our gas line services.
Conduit for electrification
Trenching for conduit to an ADU, a detached garage or an EV charger, or for a panel upgrade that needs a new path.
Joint trench on new lots
Gas, electric and communications in one trench for new construction, sequenced with each utility.
Livermore Permits and Utilities
Who signs off on a trench in Livermore
Building permit
The Building Division runs the Permit Center at 1052 S. Livermore Avenue. Permits are no longer issued over the counter, so applications go in online.
City of Livermore: Permit CenterWater
Two providers: Livermore Municipal Water in the northwest, northeast and east, and Cal Water in the central and southern parts. Both draw on Zone 7 supply.
City of Livermore: Water ProjectsSewer
The City of Livermore. Owners are responsible for their lateral from the building to the main, and lateral work needs a plumbing permit.
City of Livermore: Sewer LateralsRight of way and street trenches
Engineering issues encroachment permits for trenching or boring in the right of way. City specs call for sawcutting pavement 12 inches past the trench edge and backfilling or plating every trench at the end of each day.
City of Livermore: Encroachment Permits Standard SpecificationsBefore We Dig
Calling 811 before a Livermore dig
California law requires a ticket with USA North 811 at least two working days before digging, not counting the day you call. The dig area gets outlined in white paint first, and the ticket is good for 28 days. Within 24 inches of a utility's marks, the law requires hand tools until the line is exposed.
811 only marks what utilities own. Private lines, like irrigation, landscape lighting or a feed a past owner ran to a garage, don't get marked. We pothole to find them before a machine goes in.
Common Questions
Livermore trenching questions
Livermore has two. The City of Livermore (Livermore Municipal Water) serves the northwest, northeast and east parts of the city, and Cal Water serves the central and southern parts. Your water bill tells you which one you have. It matters when a trench carries a new water line, because you follow that provider's connection rules.
Yes. Livermore requires an encroachment permit for any work in the public right of way, which usually covers the street and the sidewalks on both sides. The Engineering Division issues it, the work has to be done by a licensed contractor with a current Livermore business license, and the permit runs for 6 months.
PG&E calls for at least 24 inches of cover over a residential electric service, so the trench itself usually ends up around 30 inches deep. Where a trench runs in a public street, PG&E calls for 30 inches of cover.
In Livermore the property owner is, from the building to where it connects to the sewer main, and lateral work needs a plumbing permit. If an old lateral is in the way, we can camera it and give you the video so you can decide whether to replace it while the ground is open.
Yes, for gas and electrical work. We are also a licensed plumbing contractor, CA Lic. #1084094 (C-36).
Planning a trench in Livermore?
Tell us what the trench needs to carry and where it runs. We'll walk the site and send a written estimate.