Before anyone digs on your property in Washington, check that the contractor is registered with Labor and Industries, with an active bond and insurance, that the scope is written out, and that a Washington 811 locate is in place. These checks apply to any contractor you hire.
How do I find a reliable excavation contractor in Vancouver?
To find a reliable contractor, check the registration with L&I's Verify a Contractor tool, read recent local reviews and ask for a written quote after a site visit. Someone who knows Clark County will ask about the soil, the season, trees, critical areas and where the water goes. Be careful with a phone price for a basement or a drain field.
Does an excavation contractor need a licence and insurance in Washington?
Washington requires every construction contractor to register with L&I, which acts as the state's contractor licence. Registration needs a surety bond, $30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors, and general liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined. Plumbers and electricians need their own L&I licences.
What questions should I ask an excavating contractor?
Ask each Clark County bidder these:
- What is your L&I registration number, and is the bond active?
- Who requests the Washington 811 locate and paints the white lines?
- How do you price rock, wet soil or extra crushed rock?
- Is haul-off included, and how many loads?
- Who pulls the grading or demolition permit, and is there a critical-area review?
- What erosion controls will you use in the rainy season?
- Who repairs the lawn and driveway afterward?
How many excavation quotes should I get?
HomeGuide's advice is to collect three or more quotes. On a small drainage job, two clear written bids may be enough. Make sure each covers the same scope so they compare fairly.
What should an estimate include, and what should the contract say?
A complete estimate lists the scope, dimensions, depth, machine, soil volume, rock and fabric allowances, hauling, fill and compaction, erosion control, permits, cleanup and schedule. The contract should repeat all of that, set the payment schedule, cover weather delays and say who repairs yard damage. Collect a lien release with every payment.
Should the quote include compaction testing?
For building pads, fill under slabs, basement backfill and driveways on fill, often yes: the engineer or the building department may require compaction tests. The quote should name who arranges and pays for the testing lab.
How much deposit should an excavator ask for?
Washington sets no single deposit limit for this work that we can point you to, so the amount is up to your contract and should be in writing. A modest deposit to hold a date is common; paying most of the job before it starts is a risk. HomeGuide advises paying in stages as work is done.
What are the red flags when hiring an excavating contractor?
Be wary of any of these:
- No L&I registration, or an expired bond or insurance.
- A fixed price for a basement or drain field without a site visit.
- No written contract.
- A push to pay the whole job in cash before any digging.
- A claim that 811, permits or critical-area review can be skipped.
- No plan for winter rain or erosion control.
The contractor left ruts and mud 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 deadline, and keep a copy for yourself. If that fails, a registered contractor's bond with L&I can be a source of recovery, the Washington Attorney General's office takes consumer complaints, and small claims court is another route. In Oregon, Portland homeowners can turn to the state's contractor board. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do you give written quotes?
Yes. Call or text (360) 276-9112 to set up a site visit, and we will put the scope and price in a written quote. We work in Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Hazel Dell, Orchards, Salmon Creek, Felida, Brush Prairie and Portland.