Imagine your dream home, with a new swimming pool in the backyard and a lushly landscaped yard. Or maybe you're thinking of starting a new business and need to clear land for a new building. 

Excavation is the process of digging and removing soil and rock from a site. It's a complex and dangerous job, but excavation businesses have the experience and expertise to do it safely and efficiently.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about excavation, including:

• What excavation businesses can take care of
• Most common issues in excavation 
• The cost of hiring an excavation business
• How to hire a reputable local excavation business
• Benefits of hiring an excavation professional
• Getting quotes from excavation businesses

What do excavation businesses do?

Excavation businesses specialise in the movement of earth and rock. They use a variety of heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, excavators, and backhoes, to complete their projects.

They are responsible for preparing land for construction projects, which could include:

• Clearing the land of trees
• Levelling the ground
• Excavating for foundations
• Digging trenches for underground pipes and cables, such as water, gas and electrical
• Excavating for pools
• Removing debris
• Backfilling to create a stable surface.

Most common excavation issues 

One of the most common issues in excavation is hitting underground utilities. This can cause damage to utilities and disrupt services, and it can also be dangerous for excavation workers. Excavators need to be careful to avoid hitting underground utilities, and they should always consult with utility companies before starting any project.

Another common worry in excavation is damaging existing structures. This can happen if excavation is not done carefully, and it can be costly to repair the damage. Those doing the digging need to be aware of the surrounding structures and take steps to avoid damaging them.

How much does it cost to hire an excavation business?

Excavation businesses typically charge between $150 and $250 per hour, or $3,000 and $15,000 for smaller residential projects. The cost can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, the type of equipment required, and the expertise of the operators.

For example, Refresh Renovations in Maroubra offers the option to include extra machinery to speed up the delivery of a project, but this comes at a cost. A small digger with an operator can cost between $300 and $600 per day, plus $200 to $300 per day for a small dump truck.

When the cost is broken down this way, it's easy to see why the cost of a total excavation project can vary so widely.

Quotes from excavation companies usually factor in all costs associated with the project, including equipment, materials, transportation, permits, and inspections.

How to hire a reputable local excavation business

When hiring a local excavation business, it's important to ask specific questions about their experience, timeline, equipment, site preparation, soil disposal, and property protection plans.

Key questions include:

• Do you have experience with projects similar to mine?
• What is your timeline for completing the project?
• What kind of cleanup will you do after the project is complete?
• How will you dispose of the soil?
• What steps will you take to protect my property during the excavation process?

Benefits of hiring an excavation professional

Excavation businesses have the experience, expertise, and equipment to complete your project safely and efficiently, no matter the size.

Due to the potential risks of excavation, such as hitting underground utilities or damaging existing structures, it is worthwhile to hire professionals. Failure to do so could jeopardise your safety, the safety of others, and your property.

Getting quotes from excavation businesses

When getting quotes from excavation professionals, it's important to be clear and concise about your project. This will help to ensure that you receive accurate quotes.

Remember:

• Provide as much information as possible about your project
• Be specific about your needs, for example, if you need a trench dug for a new sewer line, be sure to specify the depth and width of the trench, as well as the type of soil that will be excavated
• Get quotes from multiple businesses
• Ask about warranties and guarantees.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.