Excavation work is intense and can often require large pieces of earth to be moved and a decent amount of people to do the job. You want to make sure they’re licensed to complete the work and to use the heavy machinery necessary to complete such a task safely. You also want to make sure they’re insured so that you aren’t responsible for any potential damage to property or injuries sustained by the crew.

Not all excavating contractors have experience doing the same work. For instance, some excavators may work exclusively on road builds and not have as much experience on the landslide debris removal you need to be completed. One way you can ensure that the contractor you choose is capable of producing the work you expect is to ask to see previous projects. Explain what you want in full detail and then ask if they can show you any pictures of previous work that’s similar or if they can direct you to a place where you can see this work in person.

With any excavation project, there will be some amount of disruption to your property. The contractor should explain how your daily life will be impacted throughout the duration of the excavation, such as vacating the home and making temporary living arrangements until the work is complete. Having this information will help you know what to expect so you can plan accordingly.

It’s no secret that moving earth around is a dirty job, and some degree of messiness is to be expected. However, you don’t want the property to be left in shambles once the work is complete. Ask the contractor about the cleanup procedures they will follow at the end of the excavation and whether these procedures are included in the initial cost of the project and in the estimate provided.

You likely don’t want to be left with piles of dirt on your property when the job is done. The team will remove the dirt and dispose of it safely. Earth that isn’t contaminated may be sent to landfills to help trash decompose, while contaminated dirt will be completely destroyed through incineration.