When building a home, garden or undertaking any significant construction project the first step is one that you’ll probably rarely think about once the project is completed, and that step is excavation.
To understand how important excavation is in any construction project, you don’t even have to think about construction. Just think about how many times in your life you’ve heard how a good foundation is important for any type of undertaking.
The reason that this phrase is so commonly used is because of how important a solid foundation is. Without a solid foundation the risk of a construction project, be it a home or a garden, collapsing increases exponentially.
This is why the first step in any type of construction project should be excavation, to prepare the area for a foundation that everything else will be built on.
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Why Is Excavation Necessary Before a Foundation Is Poured?
Not all soil is created equally. When you have a home or any other type of structure built, you need it to have a solid foundation. That means that the foundation needs to be poured into soil that is properly prepared. You also need to have the right type of soil in place before any foundation can be poured.
For example, if the soil you are considering building on is clay, it will shift and move, which will likely cause your foundation to crack. When this happens structural damage to your home is sure to follow, which can lead to very expensive repairs in the future.
While the risk of structural damage alone should be enough to make you realize the importance of proper excavation and soil preparation, if it’s not, then you should also be aware of the risk to the rest of your property.
That’s right, while the structure being built upon a faulty foundation is the most at risk, the other soil on your property could shift or collapse if excavation and soil preparation are not done before a foundation is poured.
This means that any existing structures you have on your property are threatened by new construction. Imagine deciding to cut corners when having a garden put in, only to have it end up damaging your main house later down the road.
Rather than risking damage from poor soul, hiring a professional excavation company to prepare your land for construction is a much better option. It’s all about being proactive. Would you rather have the peace of mind of knowing that your home is built properly, or would you rather hope for the best while knowing that you are taking a serious risk?
What’s Involved in Excavation And Soil Preparation?
When the average person thinks about excavation, they probably picture large construction equipment digging a hole. While it’s true that this is part of the process, it’s a bit more complicated than digging a hole.
The first thing a professional company will do is called a survey. This is where they inspect the land, take soil samples, check with utility companies, and get any necessary permits.
These are all steps that should be taken by any reputable company before they start the excavation and soil preparation process.
Once excavation has taken place the next step in the process is to compact the soil. This is just as important as excavation because it gives the foundation a solid support. If necessary, soil can also be imported at this point to ensure that the foundation will have a secure base.
Why It’s Important to Hire a Professional
While you might be tempted to hire a general laborer or someone other than a professional to handle the excavation on your property, you must resist this temptation! The temptation to save money is a strong one, and whenever you can save money safely there’s nothing wrong with that.
But, cutting corners on something as important as excavation, which can impact the foundation of your home, is a terrible idea. Sure, you could get really lucky and have someone do a great job.
But you are more likely to get substandard work by hiring a nonprofessional. Even if you are lucky enough to have the job done right by a nonprofessional, you would probably always be plagued by nagging thoughts about whether or not there is a problem that is just waiting to arise.
How To Choose the Right Excavation Professional
Now that you understand the importance of excavation, and the role it plays in construction, the next step is to choose a professional to undertake the job for you.
Choosing the right professional is a very important decision, so understanding what criteria you should be looking for is essential before you begin the decision making process.
The first criteria for any excavation professional is that they are an actual professional, so wet hire an excavator is the best solution. This means that they must be licensed, bonded, and insured.
If the company you are considering is not licensed, bonded, and insured, they should be immediately removed from consideration. They are not a professional if they can’t be bothered to obtain all the necessary licenses and insurance.
If they can’t be trusted to handle the basics such as this, can you really trust them to work on your property? What if they make a mistake? What if they damage something? What if they get injured, or cause injury to a third party? These are all tremendous risks you have to be aware of if you are allowing anyone that is not licensed, bonded, and insured to work on your property.
Next, take the time to learn about any company you are considering hiring. How long have they been in business? What types of reviews have they had from prior clients? What is their overall reputation like? Taking these factors into consideration can help you to make a good choice when it’s time to hire an excavation professional for your construction project.
