10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Excavation Contractor in Washington
Hiring an excavation contractor is an important decision.
The work performed during site preparation affects everything that comes afterward.
Whether you're developing a commercial property, building a home, constructing a shop, or improving rural land, asking the right questions can help you understand what you're hiring a contractor to do.
1. Are You Licensed and Registered?
Ask for the contractor's Washington registration information and verify it through the appropriate state resources.
2. What Type of Projects Do You Handle?
Excavation companies specialize in different types of work.
Ask whether the contractor regularly handles:
Commercial excavation
Residential site preparation
Roads
Utilities
Septic
Stormwater
Foundations
Land clearing
3. Can You Read Civil Plans?
Commercial excavation isn't simply about moving dirt.
The contractor needs to understand:
Elevations
Grades
Utility alignments
Drainage
Details
Specifications
4. How Do You Handle Unexpected Site Conditions?
Construction sites don't always match expectations.
You may encounter:
Rock
Groundwater
Unsuitable soil
Buried debris
Existing utilities
Unexpected fill
Ask how the contractor communicates and handles these conditions.
5. How Is Material Handled?
Ask:
Can excavated material be reused?
What needs to be exported?
Is imported fill required?
Where will material be stockpiled?
Who handles hauling?
Material management can significantly affect project costs.
6. How Will Drainage Be Handled?
Ask how the excavation and grading plan addresses water.
Drainage problems can become expensive after construction.
7. Who Coordinates Utilities?
Find out who is responsible for:
Utility locating
Excavation
Utility installation
Inspections
Backfill
Compaction
Make sure responsibilities are clear.
8. How Is the Schedule Managed?
Ask:
When can work begin?
How long should excavation take?
What could delay the work?
How does weather affect the schedule?
9. What Information Do You Need From Me?
A professional contractor should tell you what information is needed to develop an accurate scope.
Useful documents may include:
Civil plans
Survey
Geotechnical report
Building plans
Septic design
Photos
Property information
10. Can You Help Coordinate the Project?
Some excavation contractors only perform excavation.
Others can provide broader project-management assistance.
Rockridge offers project-management services that can include permitting coordination, plan procurement, subcontractor coordination, and inspection scheduling.
The Goal Is More Than Moving Dirt
A good excavation project creates the foundation for everything that follows.
The finished site needs to have the correct:
Elevations
Drainage
Utilities
Compaction
Access
Building areas
Rockridge General Engineering & Excavation
Rockridge provides excavation and civil site-development services throughout Lewis County, Cowlitz County, and surrounding Southwest Washington.
Our services include:
Land clearing
Demolition
Cut and fill
Roads
Parking
Retaining walls
Foundations
Utilities
Septic
Stormwater
Project management
Planning a project? Contact Rockridge to discuss your excavation and site-development requirements.
