6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Excavation Company in Utah

Hiring an excavation contractor isn't like hiring a handyman. These are heavy machines, significant earthwork, and real consequences if something goes sideways — damaged utilities, flooded foundations, or a job that has to be redone from scratch. The right contractor makes all the difference.

Before you commit to anyone, be sure to ask at least some version of the following questions.

1. Are you licensed in Utah?

Utah requires excavation and earthwork contractors to hold an active state contractor's license. This isn't a technicality — it's your primary protection. A licensed contractor has passed the requirements, carries the right coverage, and is accountable through the state's licensing board if problems arise. Ask for their license number and look it up at the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) website. If they can't give you a number, stop there.

2. Do you carry liability insurance?

If an excavator damages your water line, cracks your driveway, or a worker gets hurt on your property, you need to know who's covering it. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it's current. General liability protects your property. Don't take their word for it — ask to see the certificate.

3. Have you done projects like mine before?

Excavation covers a wide range of work — site clearing, foundation digging, drainage, utility trenching, grading, and more. Not every contractor has hands-on experience with every type. Ask specifically about projects similar to yours in scale and scope. A contractor who's dug a hundred foundations may have less experience with finish grading, and vice versa. Ask for examples or references from similar jobs.

4. What equipment will you use?

The right machine for a tight residential backyard is very different from what's needed on a wide-open lot. Ask what equipment they plan to bring and how it will be used.

5. What's included in the quote — and what isn't?

This is where a lot of homeowners get caught off guard. A quote that looks cheap upfront can balloon fast if it doesn't include hauling away excavated soil, permits, equipment mobilization, or cleanup.

Get a written scope that spells out exactly what's included. Ask specifically: Where does the excavated material go? Who pulls permits if needed? What happens if you hit rock or buried debris? A contractor who's done this before will have clear answers.

6. What's your timeline, and who will actually be on my job?

Some companies quote the job and then send a subcontractor you've never met. Others are owner-operators who show up themselves. Know which you're getting. Also ask how many other jobs they'll be running at the same time — a crew spread thin across multiple sites can drag your timeline out significantly. If the start date and completion window matter to you, get them in writing.

One more thing: trust your gut

How a contractor communicates before you hire them is how they'll communicate when something unexpected comes up on your job — and something always does in excavation. If they're slow to respond, vague about details, or dismissive of your questions now, that's unlikely to change once they have a deposit in hand.