Excavation projects are known for being an involved process, so it’s important to choose the right company for the job. You want to look for companies that value experience and doing things correctly, and that includes knowing whether they have the proper insurance, permits, and way of operating. When scouting for excavation companies in Sudbury, MA, keep the following factors in mind so that you can make an informed decision.
Ask About Insurance and Licensing
One of the first things you should look for is if the excavation company has the required insurance and licensing for the job. The main insurance that an excavation company should have is general liability insurance. This insurance covers all incidents and accidents that could happen on your property. Coverage includes both the workers themselves as well as any property damage that is caused as a result.
Another major license needed by excavation companies is a permit bond. This license is a prerequisite for any contractor working on public land (and some private land as well) in Massachusetts. It is also a requirement for any jobs over $100,000 due to the federal Miller Act.
Related: 5 Benefits of Hiring an Excavation Company in Millis, MA
Another important document—although not as crucial as the above matters—is the Business Owners Policy. This policy may seem irrelevant to picking the right excavation contractor, but this is a great way to take a peek into the company and see how responsible and efficient they are at conducting their business. Also, check to see if they have commercial property insurance as that indicates they value their equipment and have reason to be careful with their work space.
Inquire About Experience
Experience is the most important area to look into when deciding what excavation company to employ. Even with top-of-the-line equipment and all the insurance checkboxes, if the excavation team doesn’t know what they are doing, then the job will go nowhere. You want a team that has handled projects like yours and is equipped to make adjustments if any surprises are found underground. A well-experienced crew will be happy to explain their levels of experience and how they plan to implement it on your particular project.
Pay Attention to Pricing
Pricing isn’t quite as influential as the other factors listed, but it can be used as a good indicator for what type of job you might expect. You may want to get a handful of quotes before making your final decision, but realize that the lowest price shouldn’t be your sole deciding factor. Lack of experience or integrity could keep cost estimates down initially, but the job may not be of the caliber that you would expect. Instead of the dollar amount, you may want to focus on whether the company stands by the work they do with a guarantee.
You may also want to consider the other services that the excavation company does. You could get more of a full-service arrangement as you look into your various needs for your landscape. At Wenzel, Inc., excavation is one of our many service areas. We offer resloping, lot cleaning, and grade services to homeowners and commercial properties that require repair or remodeling of their landscapes, along with landscape design, build, and maintenance services.