Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Excavation Contractor
Before hiring an excavation contractor, it’s important to ask questions that will help you make a good decision. In addition to checking out a business’s reputation, you should also be sure that they have the appropriate equipment and experience to complete your project.
The Right Equipment
A professional excavation contractor will have all the necessary tools and heavy machinery to complete your project. This includes cranes, bulldozers, and rollers that are often needed to clear a site, prepare foundations or remove earth.
In addition, they will know how to operate these machines safely. The right equipment and knowledge can save you time, money and stress on your project.
The Right Licenses and Insurance
An excavation company needs to be licensed by the Occupational and Safety Hazard Association (OSHHA). This is because excavation is a dangerous job that requires compliance with safety regulations.
The company should also carry liability insurance to protect their clients from possible damages resulting from accidents that occur during excavation work. In addition, they should have workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees in the event of an injury.
You can find out whether a company has the appropriate insurance by asking for copies of their policies. This will give you a clear idea of what type of coverage they offer and how much it costs.
If they don’t have insurance, it may be wise to look for another contractor. You may also want to check the coverage limit of their insurance policy. If the coverage is too low, you won’t be able to fully reimburse yourself in case the excavation contractor causes damage to your property during their work.
Experience With Previous Jobs
Having experience with excavation projects is a key part of making a good decision when hiring an excavation contractor. The more jobs a commercial excavation company has done, the better they will be at handling the types of projects that you will need them to do for you.
A reputable excavation company will have a long list of clients and a strong track record. They should be able to refer you to recent clients that can verify the quality of their work.
They should be able to provide you with past project examples, including pictures or videos of the work they have completed for other people. You can also check their social media accounts to see how they interact with customers.
This is an important question to ask because a contractor’s experience can determine the quality of their work and their level of professionalism. It can also help you determine how easy they are to work with and what their attitude is toward customer service.
It’s also a good idea to talk to their past clients to get a sense of how they did and how they treated them during the process. You can also read reviews online or contact their customers to learn more about their experience with the excavation contractor you are considering.