Hiring a company for a driveway excavation job can be stressful during these times when the economy is shaky and there is very little disposable, discretionary income. Every dollar counts for many Americans, making the decision to hire someone for such a formidable job a daunting one. What if you hire the wrong company? What if they do a poor job? What if they do not have the skills they say they have? How can you hire with confidence?
It is our intention to alleviate some of those doubts, and fears, with this article. We are J & A Excavation, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with excavation services the fine people of Fort Worth can count on. Call us for all of your excavation needs, from driveway excavation to pond excavation to excavation for a building site. We are the first call you should make if you want the job done correctly.
What is involved with driveway excavation?
Simply stated, driveway excavation is the removal of dirt and brush and rock, preparing the area for the laying of cement or blacktop. However, as with all things in life, it is much more than that.
Marking the driveway area and initial clearing for driveway excavation
The planning and marking stage consist of an initial marking of the area where the driveway will be laid. This will require checking with the city or county to make sure that pre-existing power lines and pipes are not disturbed.
Once it is determined that the driveway can, in fact, be laid in that area, the initial clearing is done, removing trees, brush, and possibly the old driveway, if there is one.
Proper drainage for driveway excavation
The next step consists of making sure there is proper drainage in the construction site. Water must, obviously, flow away from the area where the driveway will be laid, thus ensuring that pools of water do not form under the cement/blacktop later on, which would lead to cracking and ultimate failure. This step can include the laying of drainage piping, if necessary.
Using the proper base
Any construction project begins with the soil. Some soils retain water better than others. Some are better to serve as foundations for the weight which will be put on them. A knowledge of soils is necessary, and at this point in the preparation, if soil is needed, it is brought in and laid.
Laying the driveway material
You are now ready to lay the foundation, whether that be cement or blacktop or some other composite material. If properly laid, the driveway should last you decades. If not properly laid, cracks will appear within one or two years and, thus, making the right decision regarding an excavation company is crucial.
The price will depend on the market in your area, and on the length of your driveway, but the job will be quoted to you on a per-square-foot price. The simplest driveway may only cost $1000. More complicated, and longer driveways, could easily cost you $10,000 or more.
A pre-check on companies to make sure they have what is needed
We cannot say this enough: you must ask for references, and you must follow-up on those references, before you hire an excavation company. It is the only way for you to hire with some degree of confidence.
After the pre-check of driveway excavation companies, hire with confidence
If you have checked out references, and seen previous work by the companies bidding for your job, you can then hire with a great degree of confidence. Make sure you are given a detailed contract, spelling out the exact steps which will be taken by the company. Cross all T’s and dot all I’s on that contract. It is your protection to make sure the job is ultimately done to your specifications.
A final word about J & A Excavation
People in Fort Worth have been hiring J & A Excavation, with confidence, for many years now. It is a trusted name in driveway excavation, building pads, pond construction, residential excavation, and dump truck services. Call us when the job is too big, or too complicated, for you.