Underground Construction Services

Every building, road, and development sits on top of an invisible network of pipes, conduits, and utility lines that make modern life possible. When that infrastructure needs to be installed, replaced, or repaired, it takes a crew that knows how to work below grade — safely, efficiently, and up to code.

Total Underground Construction is a licensed underground construction company based in San Leandro, California. We install, repair, and replace underground utilities for commercial, municipal, and residential projects throughout the Bay Area. From sewer mains and water lines to storm drains and telecommunications conduit, our crews handle the work that goes in the ground and stays there for decades.

What Underground Construction Includes

Underground construction covers any work that involves excavating, trenching, boring, or otherwise installing infrastructure below the surface. Our scope includes:

• Water main installation and replacement — New service lines, main extensions, taps, and fire hydrant connections for municipal and private systems.
• Sewer line installation and repair — Gravity sewer mains, force mains, sewer laterals, and manhole construction for new developments and aging infrastructure replacement.
• Storm drain systems — Catch basins, storm drain pipe, retention and detention systems, and outfall structures for stormwater management and flood control.
• Directional boring / horizontal directional drilling (HDD) — Trenchless installation of utilities under roads, driveways, landscaping, and other structures without surface disruption. We bore for water, sewer, gas, electrical, fiber optic, and telecommunications lines.
• Open-cut trenching — Traditional excavation for utility corridors where conditions allow, including shoring, backfill, and compaction to specification.
• Utility relocations — Moving existing underground utilities to accommodate new construction, road widening, or infrastructure upgrades.
• Backflow preventer installation and testing — Cross-connection control devices for potable water protection on commercial and residential properties.
• Grading and site preparation — Subgrade work for foundations, parking lots, and roadways as part of larger underground utility projects.

Directional Boring: Minimal Disruption, Maximum Precision

Directional boring — also called horizontal directional drilling — is one of our core capabilities. This trenchless construction method allows us to install utilities underground without tearing up streets, sidewalks, driveways, or landscaping.

The process uses a steerable drill head to create a pilot bore along a planned path, then pulls the utility pipe or conduit back through the bore hole. The result is a fully installed underground utility line with entry and exit pits only — no open trench across the property or roadway.

Directional boring is the preferred method for:

• Crossing under roads and intersections without traffic disruption
• Installing utilities under existing structures, retaining walls, or hardscape
• Running lines through congested utility corridors where open-cut trenching is impractical
• Environmentally sensitive areas where surface disturbance must be minimized

Our boring rigs handle pipe sizes from 2 inches to 12 inches in diameter, with bore lengths up to several hundred feet depending on soil conditions and project requirements.

Service Areas

Total Underground Construction serves the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including San Leandro, Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, San Francisco, Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Jose, Concord, Walnut Creek, and surrounding communities. We work with general contractors, developers, municipalities, and property owners across Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and San Francisco County.

Why Choose Total UC

• Licensed and insured — We hold active California contractor's licenses for underground utility work and carry full general liability and workers' compensation coverage.
• Experienced crews — Our operators and laborers have years of field experience in Bay Area soil conditions, utility locating, shoring systems, and trenchless technology.
• Full-service capability — From initial site survey and utility locating through excavation, installation, testing, inspection, and backfill, we handle the entire scope in-house.
• Code-compliant work — We work directly with local building departments, water districts, and sanitary districts to ensure every installation meets current codes and passes inspection the first time.
• Commercial, municipal, and residential — Whether it is a 2-inch residential water lateral or a 12-inch municipal sewer main, we bring the same level of professionalism and precision to every project.

Types of Projects We Handle

Commercial and Industrial

New construction utility installation, tenant improvement underground work, parking lot storm drains, grease interceptor installation, fire service lines, and backflow preventer upgrades for commercial properties.

Municipal and Public Works

Water main replacements, sewer main rehabilitation, storm drain upgrades, utility relocations for road widening or transit projects, and emergency main break repairs for public agencies.

Residential

Sewer lateral replacements, water service line upgrades, irrigation system installation, backflow preventer testing, foundation drainage, and utility trenching for new home construction and remodels.