Answers to Common Excavation Questions — Straight from the Experts
FAQs
Whether you’re prepping land for a new home or managing a government project, we’ve got the answers. Explore these FAQs or reach out directly for personalized guidance.
What types of excavation services do you offer?
We provide full-service excavation including site preparation, foundation digging, grading, trenching, septic system installs, hydro excavation, utility potholing, and road or driveway prep.
Are you licensed and insured to operate in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona Professional Excavating is fully licensed (ROC #329534) and insured to perform residential, commercial, and government excavation projects across the state.
How long does excavation typically take?
Timeframes vary by scope, but residential site prep can take 1–3 days, while larger or government jobs can span 1–2 weeks. We provide detailed timelines after the initial site consultation.
Can you work in remote or rural locations?
Absolutely. We proudly serve all of Arizona, including rural and hard-to-reach job sites, with the same level of precision and service.
Do you provide utility location or potholing services?
Yes. We offer hydro excavation and utility potholing to safely identify buried utilities with minimal ground disturbance, which is essential before starting any deep dig.
What’s involved in septic system excavation and installation?
We excavate, install, and backfill septic tanks and leach fields according to local health codes. This includes soil evaluation, system design alignment, and full inspection support.
What foundation types do you excavate for?
We handle slab-on-grade, crawlspace, basement, and pier-and-beam foundations for residential and commercial projects.
Can you adjust excavation for engineered footings or special loads?
Yes. We work from structural plans and adjust trench depth, width, or over dig as needed for safe footing support.
How do you manage elevation accuracy?
We use GPS-guided equipment and visual grade checks during excavation to ensure all cuts meet elevation plans.
Do you coordinate with inspection or steel installation crews?
Absolutely. We stay on-site for final walk-throughs and ensure pad readiness for steel, forms, and inspection clearance.
Are you qualified to perform government excavation work?
Yes, we are licensed, insured, and experienced in meeting public agency standards, including ROC, environmental, and safety protocols.
Do you provide documentation for inspections and reporting?
Absolutely. We support submittals, change orders, utility locates, and environmental compliance paperwork throughout the project.
What types of government clients have you worked with?
Our past work includes municipal departments, county offices, U.S. Forest Service, parks, and public works divisions.
Can you handle remote or high-elevation excavation?
Yes. We specialize in difficult terrain and off-grid locations, bringing the right equipment and skill to every site.
What types of grading do you offer?
We provide rough and fine grading, pad grading, driveway and roadbed grading, slope contouring, and erosion control grading.
How do you ensure drainage flows properly?
We follow hydrology reports or use practical field solutions like swales, berms, and slope design to direct runoff safely.
Can you correct bad grading from a previous contractor?
Yes. We frequently regrade lots to correct pooling water, uneven pads, or non-code slopes left by earlier site work.
Do you work on both residential and commercial properties?
Absolutely. We grade everything from single lots to subdivisions, commercial pads, and access roads.
What is hydro excavation used for?
Hydro excavation is used to safely dig near underground utilities, create slot trenches, expose pipes, or remove debris without damaging infrastructure.
Is hydro excavation safe around live utility lines?
Yes. It’s specifically designed for safe, non-mechanical digging around active gas, electric, fiber, and sewer lines.
How deep can hydro excavation go?
We can safely dig trenches or access points up to 20+ feet deep, depending on site conditions and utility layout.
Is this method available for emergency digs?
Absolutely. We offer emergency response for utility locates, service line breaks, or exposure needs in sensitive areas.
What types of driveways and roads do you prepare?
We work on gravel driveways, asphalt-ready roadbeds, commercial lots, private ranch roads, and municipal access points.
Can you add culverts or drainage solutions?
Yes. We dig culvert trenches, swales, and other drainage features to ensure water flow is managed correctly.
What’s included in the prep before paving?
We handle cut/fill grading, compaction, slope shaping, and base rock installation — leaving the surface ready for asphalt or chip seal.
Do you work in hilly or remote areas?
Absolutely. We specialize in rural road prep and can grade challenging terrain with the right slope, access, and safety precautions.
Do you provide both tank and leach field excavation?
Yes, we handle the full system excavation — from tank cavity to every trench in the drain field.
Can you install alternative or engineered systems?
Absolutely. We work with septic designers and install pressure, mound, or chambered systems when needed.
How long does a septic install take?
Most installs take 1–3 days, depending on system size, terrain, and permitting speed.
Will you help with inspections and permits?
Yes, we coordinate with your county and designer to ensure the install passes inspection and gets signed off properly.
Do you handle vegetation and tree removal?
Yes. We provide brush clearing, tree removal, and debris hauling as part of our standard site prep services.
What grading equipment do you use?
We utilize bulldozers, skid steers, excavators, and GPS-controlled graders to ensure accurate slope and elevation on any terrain.
How long does site preparation typically take?
Most residential lots can be prepared in 1–2 days. Larger commercial or rural properties may take 3–5 days depending on access and scope.
Can you work from engineered site plans or builder specs?
Absolutely. We regularly coordinate with surveyors, engineers, and contractors to ensure grading matches plans down to the inch.
What utility types do you trench for?
We trench for water, sewer, gas, electric, telecom, fiber, and irrigation lines — residential or commercial.
Can you trench in rocky soil or hillside terrain?
Yes. We adapt trench depth and use specialized equipment to maintain grade and slope even in difficult terrain.
Do you handle utility locates and permitting?
We coordinate dig alert services and work with your contractor or city to ensure all trenching is approved and safe.
How deep can you trench?
We can trench anywhere from 12 inches to 6+ feet depending on utility type and site requirements.
What’s the difference between potholing and hydro excavation?
Hydro excavation is the method; potholing is the application. We use hydro excavation to expose specific points along buried utility lines.
Is potholing required before every dig?
It’s not always required, but it’s highly recommended (and sometimes mandated) when working near known or suspected underground utilities.
How deep can you pothole?
We can safely pothole down to 20+ feet, depending on soil conditions and site accessibility.
Do you provide maps or reports after potholing?
Yes. We can supply photos, depth logs, and rough utility sketches to help with engineering or permitting.
Still Have Questions?
Talk to our excavation experts today. We’re here to guide your next project from the ground up.
