A good excavation contractor in Cheyenne writes down the scope, the plan for frost and hard digging, the hauling and the cleanup, files the locate request before digging and can show current insurance. Ask these questions of anyone you hire.
How do I find a dependable, good excavation contractor in Cheyenne?
To find a good excavation contractor, check recent reviews from local jobs, ask for proof of insurance, and get a written quote after a site visit. A contractor who knows Cheyenne will ask about frost depth, caliche, snow and where your water drains. Be wary of a firm price over the phone.
What license and insurance does a Cheyenne excavation contractor need?
Inside Cheyenne city limits, contractors are licensed by the city through its Contractor Licensing Board and the Building Permitting and Licensing Division, with both a company license and a licensed qualified supervisor, so ask which license class the work needs. Electricians are licensed by the State of Wyoming. Ask every excavator for a certificate of liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation coverage, sent by the insurer.
Which questions should I ask an excavator before hiring?
Ask any excavator these questions before hiring:
- Who files the One Call of Wyoming request, and how will you find private lines to wells and outbuildings?
- How is caliche or rock priced if you hit it?
- Does your price cover hauling, and where will the dirt end up?
- What permits does this need, and who gets each one?
- How will you keep bare soil from blowing away?
- How will you protect the lawn, drive and septic field?
- What happens if the ground freezes before the job is done?
How many quotes should I get for excavation work in Cheyenne?
Get two or three written quotes for a sizable job, and make sure each covers the same scope. A low quote that leaves out hauling or frost work is not really lower.
What belongs in an excavation estimate, and what should the contract include for a Cheyenne job?
An excavation estimate should include the dimensions and depth, the soil volume, the plan for caliche or rock, hauling, fill and compaction, erosion and wind control, permits, cleanup and the schedule. The contract should repeat it, set the payment schedule and say who fixes lawn or drive damage. Ask for lien waivers with each payment.
Is compaction testing needed in my quote?
For fill under a slab, a footing or a building pad, the engineer or the builder often requires compaction testing by a lab, and the quote should say who arranges and pays for it. A lawn or garden does not need it.
How much deposit is reasonable for an excavator to ask for?
A reasonable deposit is whatever your written contract sets. A modest amount to hold a date is normal; paying most of the job up front is a risk. Tie payments to work you can see completed.
What red flags should I look for in an excavating or land clearing contractor?
Look out for these red flags:
- A price quoted without seeing the site.
- No written contract, or nothing about hard digging or frost.
- A demand for cash in full before starting.
- Saying the 811 call or a permit can be skipped.
- No insurance certificate.
- Willingness to fill a creek or floodplain without checking the rules.
What are my options in Wyoming when the excavator left ruts and mud in my yard and won't come back?
If your contractor won't come back, send a written request with photos, the contract and a deadline, and keep a copy. If that fails, you can file a complaint with the Wyoming Attorney General's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit, or in Colorado through Stop Fraud Colorado, and small claims court is an option for smaller amounts. This is general information about Wyoming and Colorado, not legal advice.
Will you put my estimate in writing?
Yes. Call or text (307) 317-7006 to set up a site visit, and we send a written quote with the scope and the price. We work in Cheyenne, the Ranchettes, Burns, Pine Bluffs, Carpenter, Laramie, Wheatland, Chugwater, Wellington and Fort Collins.