A good excavator writes down the scope, the rock price, hauling and restoration, files a PA One Call request before digging, and follows Pennsylvania's home improvement law. The checks below apply to anyone you hire, including us.
How do I find a good excavating contractor near Pittsburgh?
To find a good contractor, read recent local reviews, check the Attorney General's home improvement registration, ask for an insurance certificate and get a written quote after a site visit. A contractor who knows Pittsburgh will ask about the slope, the walls, the rock and how trucks get up your street.
Does an excavator need a license and insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has no state license for excavation, but contractors doing home improvement work must register with the Office of Attorney General under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, and the contract must show the registration number and insurance information. Plumbers in Allegheny County are licensed by the Health Department. Get certificates for both liability and workers' compensation, sent by the insurance company.
What questions should I ask an excavator before hiring?
Before signing anything, ask:
- What is your Pennsylvania home improvement registration number?
- Who files the PA One Call request, and how will you find private lines?
- How is rock priced?
- Is hauling included, and can trucks reach my street?
- Who pulls the permits?
- How will you protect the slope, walls and lawn?
- How will you keep soil from washing off a Pittsburgh hillside during the job?
How many quotes should I get in Pittsburgh?
Get at least three written quotes, as HomeGuide advises. Make sure each covers the same scope, especially rock, hauling and restoration.
For a Pittsburgh job, what should the estimate include, and what must the contract say?
The estimate should include the work, the volume, rock pricing, hauling, fill and compaction, erosion control, permits and restoration. Pennsylvania requires home improvement contracts over $500 to be written and signed, with the registration number, total price, start and finish dates, whether a permit is needed and who gets it, and a three business day right to cancel.
Should the quote include compaction testing in Pittsburgh?
For fill under a slab, wall or footing, compaction testing may be required by the engineer, and the quote should say who arranges and pays for it. Garden fill does not need testing.
How much deposit can an excavator ask for in Pennsylvania?
For home improvement contracts over $1,000, Pennsylvania law caps the deposit at one-third of the contract price, plus the cost of any special order materials, listed separately. Pay the rest in stages tied to progress.
What are the red flags when hiring an excavating contractor in Pittsburgh?
Watch for these red flags:
- No home improvement registration number.
- A firm number given over the phone.
- A deposit over one-third of the price.
- No written contract or no cancellation notice.
- Claiming a PA One Call request or permit is unnecessary.
- No plan for the slope, walls or erosion.
My excavator left ruts and won't come back. What can I do?
Send the contractor a dated letter with photos, a copy of the contract and a firm date to finish, and keep a copy. If that fails, file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection, or use magisterial district court, Pennsylvania's small claims court, to recover money. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do you give written quotes?
Yes. Call or text (412) 501-2259 to set up a site visit, and you get the scope and price in writing. We work in Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Ross Township, Shaler, McCandless, Cranberry Township, Moon Township and Robinson Township.