What does your company use to dig holes?
Our digging machine is a subcompact tractor, sized to access tighter locations than full-sized equipment, and offers a front-end loader, backhoe, box blade/scraper, and various augers. We also have clam shell diggers, shovels, and other tools needed for hand digging, if necessary.
How much room is needed for the digging machine to access the job site?
Our machine requires a minimum 48″ (1.22 meters) clearance, with no sharp turns, to access the dig site.
How deep can you dig?
The backhoe on our digging machine will dig trenches and perform other excavations up-to a maximum depth of six (6) feet. The augers will dig holes up-to a maximum depth of four (4) feet. When digging post holes, we recommend the standard calculation, which is to bury 1/3 of the post: 3.5ft deep for a 10 foot post and 4ft deep for a 12 foot post. However, though we will make a reasonable effort to reach the requested depth, should adverse soil conditions prove this depth to be unattainable by auger and/or hand digging, the homeowner will have the option to either approve a lessor depth or instruct that the hole be re-drilled in an alternate location.
How long will the job take?
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing exactly how long each job will take, as there are many factors that could affect the amount of time it will take to complete the work. However, with info attained during the site visit we will prepare a free estimate that will provide a general idea of the excavation costs associated with your project. In the case of drilling holes, under ideal soil conditions, free of rocks, roots and debris, we can typically dig 6 holes per hour.
Will the machine cause damage to my lawn?
Our digging machine has rubber tires, rather than metal tracks, which will typically cause little damage to your lawn. Though we will make every effort, if you are concerned about damage to your lawn, we suggest homeowner supply 4 sheets of 4’x8′ plywood to operate the machine on, which will minimize the impact to the lawn.
What complications may arise during digging?
Unfortunately, we cannot predict what lies beneath your lawn, as soil conditions vary greatly from one lawn to the next, and can even vary from one hole to the next, in the very same lawn. Ideally, each dig would be conducted in soil that is rock, root, and debris free, and in the case of a post hole, require approximately 10 minutes to dig. However, that is NOT the typical dig, and the homeowner should be aware of the common issues that can complicate the dig:
- hard ground or clay
- soft ground or sand
- large rocks or stones
- construction debris
- utility cables, wires, or pipes
- tree roots
- etc.
What are locates and do I need them?
Both public and private locates are reports that indicate where underground cables, wires, and pipes are located on your property, and are obtained prior to digging to minimize the risk of infrastructure damage, loss of service, and injury while digging. Though it is highly suggested that the homeowner hire a private locate company to provide locates for all PRIVATE underground infrastructure, it is mandatory in Ontario to obtain locates for all PUBLIC underground infrastructure, whether digging on private or public property, for any reason whatsoever. It is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to request these PUBLIC locates from Ontario One Call, a public safety administrative authority which regulates the public locate industry in Ontario, acting as a communication link between utility companies and individuals planning to dig in the province. We request that the homeowner complete and submit the required Locate Request, as you are best suited to both provide the requested information related to your property, and to collect the locates from each utility company’s Damage Prevention Technician, or authorized Locate Service Provider, when they visit and mark your property. We are happy to assist you in this process, should you have any questions or concerns.
What is the difference between a “Clear” or a “Completed” locate?
Once notified, each utility company will respond back to the person who has requested to dig in one of two ways: with a “Clear” or a “Completed” locate. A “Clear” is when a utility company reports that the proposed dig will have low to no conflict with their buried infrastructure, and provides paperwork indicating the homeowner or contractor is “clear” to dig. A “Completed” locate is when a utility company marks on the ground where their buried infrastructure is located, and provides paperwork that both indicates their markings are completed and provides instructions on how to dig around the marked infrastructure. (e.g., “Dig by hand within 1 meter of the markings”). Digging cannot commence until all of the utility companies notified have responded with the appropriate paperwork and either a “Clear” or a “Completed” locate.
What are the liabilities or related fines for digging without public locates?
There are numerous underground hazards that could cause serious injuries, including gas, electric, or other high-pressure pipes and lines. Unintended contact with underground infrastructure could lead to leaks, fire, explosions, or electrocution, and could have fatal consequences. Anyone digging without public locates and/or not following safe digging practices, and hits underground infrastructure, could be held liable for damages. Additionally, charges and fines could also be laid by Ontario One Call, and other regulators, beginning with a $10,000 fine for digging without public locates.
How close to buried utilities can you dig?
When digging near buried infrastructure caution must be taken to ensure against all damage, as even a sheath or coating nick can cause corrosion which may lead to a future problem. Included in all public locates are specific instructions by each utility company regarding the requirements for digging near buried infrastructure. Each utility company will specify a “tolerance zone” around the infrastructure which must be observed while operating mechanical equipment in the vicinity. The tolerance zone is a specific distance measured from the center of the utility in either direction where mechanized digging is not permitted. Digging within the tolerance zone must be accomplished with a hand shovel, and “no other earth-piercing devices”, and must be done with caution to prevent damage to the buried utility.
I need my lawn graded or levelled, with no digging, do I need locates?
Yes. Though the burying of PUBLIC underground infrastructure is regulated in Ontario, and buried between sixteen inches (16″) and forty-eight inches (48″) deep, there are scenarios which leave some utilities (e.g., replaced telecommunication lines) buried just inches below the surface. Additionally, seasonal freezing and thawing of the ground can cause frost heave and result in infrastructure being pushed upwards towards the surface, making its precise depth unpredictable. More arbitrary is the varying depths of PRIVATE underground infrastructure, for though these depths are typically regulated by code, too often private utility cables, wires, and pipes are installed by uninformed or inexperienced homeowners just inches (or less) below the surface of the ground. And due to frost heave, these utilities can be easily pushed upwards and become entirely exposed. Because both public and private infrastructure can be located at or near the surface, it is important—and in the case of public infrastructure required—that locates be obtained prior to beginning any dirt work whatsoever.
There are no underground utilities in the area of the dig, do I need locates?
Yes. Locates are required in order to identify ALL public, buried infrastructure on your property, regardless of their vicinity to the actual dig. If there are any PUBLIC utilities, buried anywhere on your property, provincial law requires locates be obtained prior to the dig.
I am replacing an existing deck and/or fence, do I still need locates?
Yes. As it is mandatory to obtain current public locates before digging anywhere in Ontario, we require them on every job site.
How do I obtain the required public locates?
Locates are easily acquired by calling Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255. This is a FREE service and usually takes 5-7 business days to complete. Locates can also be requested on their website: ontarioonecall.ca
Please note: PRIVATE electric lines, telecom lines, gas lines, pool lines, sprinkler systems, septic tanks and related piping, etc. must be located by the homeowner, or a private locate company at the homeowner’s expense, as Ontario One Call does not locate private underground infrastructure. Further, Ontario Dirtworks will not be held liable for any damage to public OR private underground utility cables, wires, or pipes that have not been documented, located, and marked by the appropriate authorities, either an Ontario One Call member (i.e., Infrastructure Owner/Utility Company) or their authorized LSP, for public infrastructure, or the homeowner and/or a private locate company, for private infrastructure.
How long will my locates be valid?
Both the dig conditions and the validity period for a public locate are determined by the infrastructure owner (i.e., utility company) issuing the locate, and are communicated by way of the locate sheet provided by the infrastructure owner or their respective LSP. Though the validity period can fluctuate from one infrastructure owner to another, public locates are valid for a minimum of sixty (60) days from the day the locate was issued. All digging beyond the expiration date indicated on the locate sheet will require an extension (when offered) or a new locate.
What should I expect when Ontario Dirtworks has completed the job?
In addition to having been provided friendly, reliable, quality service, we always strive to leave a site as clean as possible. However, we do leave on site any dirt, rocks, concrete, roots, or debris that we pull out of the ground, as we are not equipped for the removal and disposal of these items. Should the homeowner prefer, we will (through a third party) provide for their removal and disposal, and will charge accordingly.
Approximately how much can I expect to pay for your services?
Because we cannot know what soil conditions exist under your lawn until we break ground, the free, no obligation estimate we offer is calculated by assuming good soil conditions (i.e., relatively free from rocks, roots, and debris), and will be reasonably adjusted to reflect additional time and/or labour, should adverse soil conditions be discovered during the dig. Homeowner can expect charges to be fair, cost-effective, and competitive, including a reasonable Minimum Charge designed to help offset costs related to labour minimums, travel times, setup and breakdown times, transportation costs, and equipment wear-and-tear.
When is payment for services due?
The quoted Minimum Charge is due in full PRIOR to equipment unloading and setup; and should work extend beyond that which is included in the Minimum Charge, the balance is due upon completion of work.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, eTransfer, debit, or credit card payment.
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