Excavation contractors are an important part of any construction project. They are subcontractors under the general contractor, and their job is to make sure the land is ready for the next phase of the project. Although their name suggests they move dirt around the site, they do much more. Their many tasks include preparing and grading the land for building, running underground utilities, performing trench work, and cleaning the site, so the landscapers can add the finishing touches. This guide offers in-depth information about the excavation contractor’s role in a construction project.

Grading & Site Work

Excavators are the first building contractors on any job site. Once the surveying crew has determined the property boundaries and marked the precise grade for the foundation, the excavation contractor gets to work doing the necessary land clearing and demolition. 

The contractor’s next step is to remove soil to the depth and grade specified by the surveying crew, making sure the dirt is firm and compact to prevent sink holes. Grade measurements are precise, and the contractor must use a level and transit to make sure they reproduce the specifications. After the foundation is poured, the contractor will backfill around it.

Moving Dirt & Running Utilities

Excavation contractors are also called earthwork contractors because they specialize in dirt. Anything from building roads and digging ditches to trenching and digging swimming pools is their specialty. Since utilities like water and gas lines and buried cables are placed underground, the contractors often run the lines as well.

Operate Heavy Equipment

Even after the site has been graded and construction is underway, the excavation contractor is an important part of the job. Construction requires moving a lot of very heavy materials, like gravel, lumber, and metal beams. These experts operate the lifting equipment and move these items, so the builders can work quickly.

When homeowners and construction site managers throughout central Kentucky need a reliable excavation contractor, they count on Weddle Enterprises in Somerset. The team has over 40 years of experience in a variety of soil-related services, from demolition and site work to grading. To speak with a contractor about your project’s needs, call (606) 678-4057. Visit them online for more information about their services.