When it comes to contractors, you can either hire a professional or someone inept and unskilled. Choose wisely. This is especially true when you need a professional excavation company.
Hiring an excavation company is not a decision you make lightly. There is a lot at stake. Your property, your finances and your safety could all be affected if you select the wrong company for the job. Learn why it’s vital to choose a professional and how to find the company that is right for your home or commercial business.
Reasons why you need a professional excavation company
1. Too many things can go wrong.
Things like trench collapses, not properly assessing risks and equipment dangers are just a few of the perils of excavation work. For example, there may be tight or limited space to work with so you must obtain a detailed plan to compensate for these cases to make sure that the job can be done safely. You also need to know the best kind of machinery for each specific project. What is required to remove large boulders or trees is a lot different than what’s needed for removing a swimming pool. Using the wrong or inadequate equipment combined with inexperienced operators is a recipe for disaster. A professional excavation company must evaluate the ground condition, how surrounding structures will be affected and how site cleanup will be handled. If everything is not managed correctly, your job will quickly turn into a mess.
2. Professionalism is important.
The word professional conveys a level of quality, training and experience and these are the traits you should expect from an excavation company. Look for a company that has been in business for many years. This is a good indicator for whether a business is worth your time. The inferior, unprofessional ones don’t last very long. A professional will have a culture of safety and a strong work ethic you can count on to get the job done.
3. The unexpected may occur.
While many excavation jobs go off without a hitch, there is always the possibility for unforeseen problems. For instance, you may be confronted with hazardous materials underground after the job has begun. Animals or wildlife may also be a factor. Uncharted pipes or cables or tree roots can damage equipment. Project specifications might need to be changed. In addition, in some areas, the weather can change suddenly and drastically, making it necessary to adjust quickly. Inexperienced amateurs will not know how to handle or work around these situations. A professional excavation company will know the proper paperwork and forms you need to file. They will also have the correct safety procedures and insurance to ensure a secure work site and protection for your company.
4. Cleanup is sometimes just as important as the excavation.
In any excavation project, lots of dirt and underground junk is often dug up. This could include slabs of concrete, non-recyclable plastics and large tree stumps. What do you do with all this? It can’t stay on your property. You may also have to manage waste during the project to make sure your neighbors and surrounding businesses are not blocked or affected by your project. Typically, there are rules and regulations regarding proper handling of these materials and what you legally can and cannot do with them. Nonprofessionals may not be aware of these guidelines and procedures.
5. There is a lot more involved than just digging.
Factors such as erosion and sedimentation control are big concerns on any construction or excavation project. If not handled correctly, these issues can damage your property and affect water quality for you and those nearby. Limiting the areas of exposed soil, diverting water with trench drains and vegetative measures are just a few of the ways to manage erosion. This is not only done for practical reasons. In some states, laws exist that govern erosion control and inspectors have the authority to shut down a project if you do not take proper care to reduce erosion and siltation.
6. You have to consider the surrounding structures and area.
In addition to the building and project you are working on, what surrounds your work is also a factor. Neighboring property and other environmental features might be damaged by excavation and demolition work. The wrong equipment, like using a jackhammer instead of a core drill, can also create problems. A professional excavation company will know how to minimize these risks. If you use amateurs, the most they will be able to do is guess, which could lead to significant damage to your structures or property.
7. All soil is not equal.
Just looking at the topsoil does not accurately tell you what’s underneath. As a result, you could be in for a big surprise after you’ve dug several feet down. Also, different kinds of soil will react differently to various excavation procedures. You will also need to know where the softer ground sits and potential dangers to look out for. Professional testing methods are required to ensure safety and prevent soil failure.
8 . Time is of the essence.
No one wants to deal with an excavation job that takes forever. You want it done right but you also want it done in a timely fashion. When hit with a problem you cannot immediately resolve or realize you don’t have the necessary tools to handle something unexpected, this can delay your project indefinitely. You can trust a professional excavation company to handle any issue and ensure that the project is done on time and successfully.
9. It’s more expensive to hire an amateur.
Many people believe they cannot afford a professional excavation company. Therefore, they cut corners with the rationale that, even if the job is not perfect, at least it’s cheaper. You may think you can do it yourself or know an experienced do-it-yourselfer and tell yourself you are saving money. Some may decide to hire a company that is a professional in a field other than excavation. In reality, you will actually end up paying more by hiring an amateur. This is mainly due to the fact that, when a project is done wrong, you will have to pay someone else to fix it. As a result, you will be paying for the same job twice.
