What to Look For in Professional Excavation Contractors Near Chappaqua, NY

March 18, 2022 Halstead Media Group

Selecting a contractor for excavation is often an essential part of an outdoor renovation project. Excavation work requires experience and skill to ensure that any heavy rocks and soil are moved safely and correctly and that the surrounding areas of the landscape can still be preserved when possible. Here’s what you may want to look for when choosing excavation contractors for your Chappaqua, NY, landscape renovation.

Choose a Company With Proven Experience

Anyone can claim to have experience, so you will want to know for sure that the company you choose has proven experience working on renovation projects like yours. It’s a good idea to choose contractors that have experienced crew members, too. When you interview excavation contractors, you could ask how long the crew members have worked for the company.

Excavation contractors with experience will understand the details necessary to complete the renovation work successfully. You can start your search online or by word-of-mouth—for example, ask your neighbors who they hired to handle their large landscaping projects, and then check online reviews of any company you’re considering.

Verify the Contractor has Insurance

You should only hire companies that have adequate insurance to work on your property. Excavation contractors use heavy equipment that could cause injury or worse if something goes wrong. The equipment can also cause physical damage to your property or dig something buried underground that shouldn’t have been dug up. Contractors with insurance are prepared to handle these rare, potentially expensive situations.

Ensure the Excavation Company Is Licensed

Similar to insurance, you may want to limit your search to only hire companies with a licensed team to do the renovation work required for your project. This ensures they’ll understand the building codes and any permit requirements of the Chappaqua area, and they’ll make sure you have all of the paperwork required to legally complete the project.

Contractor Has Necessary Equipment

It might go without saying, but you want to work with an excavation contractor that has access to well-maintained equipment designed to get the work done properly. You wouldn’t want to hire a team planning to hand shovel the ground for your in-ground pool, for example! Excavation equipment is not all the same, and a reputable contractor will have a variety of machines that help them get the job done with minimal disruption to the other areas of your property.

Get Real Customer Testimonials

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possible excavation contractors, you could ask to speak to a few of their customers. You can ask these references if the contractor showed up on time, kept to the project timeline, or if the renovation took weeks (or months!) longer than expected. It’s a good idea to ask about the company's work habits, too, such as whether they maintained a safe worksite throughout the project.

Don’t Choose a Contractor Based on the Lowest Quote

If you get quotes from more than one company, the lowest price may predict a lower quality of work, or be an estimate from a company that is not as experienced and isn’t aware of all the costs involved in the renovation (which could mean you end up with unexpected costs later on).

So, you could start the process by requesting estimates from the excavation contractors you’re interested in and a timeline for project completion. Combine that information with a company that has the experience, equipment, insurance, and licensing—and you can be confident you are choosing a contractor that is working with a high level of professionalism.