The short version
- Ask how they handle locates and 811
- Ask what happens if they hit rock or water
- Ask who handles permits, hauling and restoration
- Ask for the scope in writing
About locates and safety
Ask how they make sure lines are marked before digging, what they do near marked lines and how they protect workers in deeper trenches. A confident answer includes 811, hand or vacuum digging near lines and trench protection.
If the answer is vague, that tells you something.
About surprises
Ask what the contractor does if they hit rock, groundwater or an unmarked line, and how a change would be priced and approved. Surprises happen on every job, and the process for handling them matters more than a promise that there will be none.
Ask how they test for rock before starting.
About scope
Ask what is included: permits, hauling, stone, backfill, compaction, restoration, cleanup. Ask who orders the locates, who pays tap fees and who schedules inspections. Get the scope in writing so you can compare it with other bids.
An unusually low price may leave out the parts that matter.
About the work
Ask what equipment will be used, how the yard will be protected, how long the trench will stay open and how the site is cleaned up. Ask for photos of similar completed jobs and for references you can call.
A contractor who answers plainly is usually a contractor who does the work plainly.
General information, not engineering, legal or safety advice. Rules and requirements vary by utility, city and county.
