Foundation excavation — preparation and scope of work
We dig foundation excavations with our excavator and backhoe loader. The excavation must follow the design and suit the ground conditions. In your enquiry, say whether it is for strip footings, a slab or a basement. The scope of the service is agreed before work starts, together with what will happen to the excavated soil.
Foundation excavationEarthworks
- Operator
- machines always come with an operator
- Pricing
- fixed price per job
- Site visit
- free of charge, before the quote
What should you prepare?
We need the design documents, the setting-out of the building and information about underground services. Mark out the access route and the place where the soil will be stockpiled. The operator should not have to guess dimensions or the position of elements from rough directions.
Tell us about water, areas that were filled in the past and any difficulties you have noticed on the plot. The type of soil and the space available affect the choice of machine and how the work is organised.
Machines, time and cost
Whether an excavator or a backhoe loader can be used has to be checked against the entrance and the work area. The time needed does not depend only on the floor area of the house; the depth in the design, the soil, water and moving the excavated soil all matter.
We charge a fixed price for the whole excavation job, so agree the exact scope in the quote, as well as what you as the client will prepare. Do not treat formwork, reinforcement or removing soil from the site as part of the service unless they have been specified.
What about the soil and the next stage?
Agree where the soil will be stockpiled before excavation starts. If soil is to be removed from the site, the scope and terms of this must be confirmed separately. Order the concrete for the foundations once you have checked that the work is ready; information about the mix is available separately.
Questions about excavation
How long does it take to dig the foundations for a house?
The time can be estimated once we know the design and the conditions on the plot. Do not assume one day for every build.
Does the soil stay on the plot?
This has to be agreed as part of the job scope. Show us where it should be stockpiled and how you plan to use it later.
Can I order concrete straight away?
The delivery date should match when the element is ready and has been inspected. You can order both the excavation and the concrete from us — call us and we will agree the dates for both.