Considerations When Hiring An Excavating Contractor

An excavating contractor comes in handy when you need to conduct landscaping works on your property. The value of your property is at stake when landscaping the property. Therefore, you must ensure that the excavating contractor is the right fit for the project. Below is an extensive guide with critical insights into what to look for in an excavating contractor. 

Preparation Techniques

Ideally, the contractor should visit the site to determine how they need to prepare for the excavation works. The contractor asks you to draft a map detailing how you want to transform the landscape. For instance, it could be that you intend to flatten the area, create terraces, build a drainage system, or move trees from one location to the next. The professional should then examine the soil conditions to determine if it is possible to conduct the work. For instance, if the area has sedimentary rocks, the contractor could ask you to consider alternatives if the rocks are difficult to crush.

Moreover, the contractor examines whether the landscaping works flout planning regulations. For example, will they damage underground utilities such as drainage and power lines? Does the area have an easement? Will the excavation works affect the stability of your home or nearby buildings? Finally, the contractor applies for the required permits from the local council. 

Safety Protocols

The contractor must detail the safety protocols they will observe when excavating the landscape. They include; 

• Using appropriate plant equipment. For instance, a standard excavator might not work well in clay soil. In this case, the contractor should use a tracked excavator.
• Ensuring plant equipment deployed at the site does not have defects that compromise their safety.
• Ensuring all personnel have the required personal protective gear.
• Using signage and barricades to restrict access to dangerous areas such as pits and trenches.
• Covering pits and trenches to prevent flooding.
• Using appropriate excavation techniques to prevent landslides and collapsing trenches.  

Terms and Conditions

Assess the contractor's terms to determine their suitability for the project. For instance, how long will the excavation work last? The contractor should issue a timetable detailing how they will execute the excavation works and how long the works will take. If you feel that the timeline is too long, ask the contractor how they can reduce the timeline. For instance, they could hire a larger crew or work at night. Then, inquire about the guarantees offered by the contractor. For example, if the excavated area collapsed within a few days, will they repeat the work for free? The contractor must also have adequate insurance. Otherwise, you risk compensation claims if an accident occurs during excavation. 

When hiring an excavating contractor, examine their preparation techniques, safety protocols, terms and conditions.