Excavation Contractors (C01)
Excavation is where construction begins – and mistakes here compound through every phase that follows.
This BidScope guides you through excavation types: full basement excavation (8-9 feet deep plus footings), crawl space excavation (18-24 inches), utility trenches (depth varies by frost line and utility type), and land grading for drainage and building pads.
Learn equipment selection: excavators for digging precision and reach, backhoes for versatility in smaller spaces, bulldozers for moving large volumes and rough grading, skid steers for tight access and final grading.
Navigate Utah’s challenging soil conditions: high clay content that expands when wet and shrinks when dry, rock that requires breaking or blasting, bentonite clay that swells dramatically, and expansive soils that demand special foundation design.
Understand rock excavation methods and when blasting permits are required.
Master dewatering for groundwater management using pumps or well points.
Know OSHA excavation safety requirements including proper shoring for trenches deeper than 5 feet.
Calculate proper depths for Utah frost lines (36-48 inches depending on location and soil).
Specify backfill materials and compaction requirements (typically 90-95% Proctor density).
Plan erosion control during excavation.
Coordinate utility location through Blue Stakes (811).
Understand disposal costs – rock costs more than soil.
Budget properly with per-yard pricing versus hourly rates.
This tool ensures your excavation is safe, accurate, and sets your project up for success.
What’s Included:
- Excavation types (full basement, crawl space, footings, utility trenches, building pads)
- Full basement excavation (8-9 feet depth plus footing depth)
- Crawl space excavation (18-24 inches typical)
- Footing trench specifications
- Utility trench depths (water, sewer, gas, electric, data)
- Equipment selection by job type (excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, skid steers)
- Excavator capabilities and reach
- Backhoe versatility and limitations
- Bulldozer for large volume earthmoving
- Utah soil conditions (clay content, rock, bentonite, expansive soils)
- Clay soil characteristics (expansion when wet, shrinkage when dry)
- Rock excavation methods (hydraulic breaking, blasting)
- Blasting permit requirements and procedures
- Bentonite clay challenges and remediation
- Expansive soil identification and foundation implications
- Dewatering methods (pumps, well points, drainage)
- Groundwater management and control
- Excavation safety and OSHA requirements
- Shoring requirements (trenches over 5 feet deep)
- Sloping and benching for safety
- Utah frost depth requirements (36-48 inches by location)
- Proper excavation depths for frost protection
- Backfill material specifications (select fill, engineered fill)
- Compaction requirements (90-95% Proctor density)
- Compaction testing procedures
- Erosion control during excavation (silt fence, erosion wattles)
- Sediment control best practices
- Utility location and protection (Blue Stakes 811 call)
- Utility damage prevention
- Access and staging area requirements
- Spoil pile management
- Material disposal (rock vs soil, costs per yard)
- Rock disposal vs soil disposal pricing
- Rough grading after excavation
- Weather considerations and seasonal work
- Bid specifications and scope definition
- Pricing structures (per yard, hourly, lump sum)
