Top Rated Excavating Company in Davenport, IA 

OVERVIEW

Excavation and dirtwork are important steps in many types of projects. Excavating is the removal or moving of dirt. Often, excavation is done at the beginning of a construction project. Earthmoving can create features like subgrade for foundations, trenches, hills, or level surfaces. This service is the first step in constructing homes, buildings, roads, and installing utilities. 

WHEN DO YOU NEED AN EXCAVATION CONTRACTOR?

Here are some example projects that require excavation and dirt work services:

• Site preparation: This is the prep work done to prepare a site for the start of construction. Work includes grading, leveling, clearing land, earth moving, demolition, and drainage. This ensures the land is ready for the building phase of the project. 

• Grading: This involves adjusting the elevation of the land to create a desired slope or level surface. Work includes smoothing out soil, flattening areas, sloping, building areas up, and compacting. This work is often done before road or driveway construction, landscaping, or as part of a site preparation job. Grading ensures proper drainage, prevents erosion, and can improve the property's aesthetics.

• Excavation for foundations: This involves removing earth from an area to make a base for a foundation. Work includes excavating, trenching, backfilling, and compacting. Creating a solid subgrade is critical before pouring any foundation. Good foundation excavation provides a strong base for the entire structure, preventing settling and increasing the longevity of the building.

• Excavation for utility installation: Trenches are dug to make an underground path for utilities. This includes trenches for water, sewer, septic, electrical, gas, and telecom lines. Excavating for utility lines requires precision to get the depth and position of the trench right. Accurate trench excavation ensures proper installation of utilities, preventing leaks, disruptions in service, and safety hazards.

• Site access: This service usually refers to creating entrance and exit points for vehicles at construction sites. It can also refer to prep work for new driveways, roads, or sidewalks that provide access to any property in general. Site access work allows the movement of vehicles, people, and materials during and after construction.

GENERAL STEPS IN AN EXCAVATION PROJECT

Excavation projects typically follow a series of steps:

1. Surveying and planning: The contractor will assess the site, take measurements, and create a plan for the excavation work.
   
2. Obtaining permits: Depending on the location and scope of the project, permits from local authorities might be needed before excavation begins.
   
3. Rough staking: Marking the boundaries of the excavation area using stakes or flags.
   
4. Clearing: Removing vegetation, trees, debris, and existing structures in the excavation area.
   
5. Excavating: Using excavators, backhoes, or other equipment to remove dirt to the project's specified depth and dimensions.
   
6. Grading: The excavated area is smoothed and leveled to the desired slope or elevation.

TYPES OF EXCAVATION EQUIPEMENT

Common excavation equipment includes:

• Excavators: These machines have a bucket or attachment for digging, lifting, and loading soil or other materials.
  
• Backhoes: Similar to excavators, backhoes have a digging bucket at the front and a backhoe attachment for trenching and backfilling.
  
• Bulldozers: These are powerful tractors with blades on the front for clearing land, grading, and pushing large amounts of soil.
  
• Loaders: Front-end loaders have buckets for scooping and loading soil or other materials onto trucks or other equipment.
  
• Skid steers and track loaders: These small, maneuverable machines use a variety of attachments like buckets, trenchers, and augers.
  
• Trucks: Dump trucks transport excavated soil or other materials around the site or to disposal sites.

HOW TO CHOOSE A LOCAL EXCAVATION CONTRACTOR

When hiring an excavation contractor, here are a few things to think about:

• Experience: Ask about the contractor's experience in handling similar projects.
  
• Licensing and insurance: Ask if the contractor has the licenses and insurance to operate legally and protect against potential liabilities.
  
• Equipment: Ask if the contractor has the right equipment for your project.
  
• Quotes and estimates: Get a written quote from your contractor with the scope of work, pricing, and timeline. Consider comparing quotes from more than one service provider.
  
• Communication: Choose a contractor who communicates well and responds to your questions.
  

HIRE US FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT

We're your one-stop shop for your excavation and dirtwork needs. We handle jobs of all types for all kinds of customers. Residential customers come to us for pools, house pads, basements, and landscape excavating jobs. Commercial customers come to us for site prep, site access, and utility trenching jobs. Rural customers some to us for gravel roads maintenance and installation. These are just a few examples for dirt work projects we can do for you.

Contact us today for a free quote on your next excavating project!