Top Vacuum Excavation Dallas Providers Compared
Digging in Dallas is a high-stakes game. Beneath the surface lies a complex web of undocumented gas lines, fiber cables, and water mains. With traditional equipment, a single misplaced backhoe bucket can turn a routine job into a costly disaster, triggering dangerous leaks, widespread outages, and project-stopping delays. This is where a smarter, non-destructive method comes in. Instead of brute force, it uses pressurized air or water to gently loosen soil, which is then suctioned away to safely reveal what’s below. This process is the gold standard for safe vacuum excavation Dallas contractors rely on to protect critical infrastructure. In this guide, we’ll cover how this technique works, why it’s essential for your project’s safety, and what to look for in a professional service provider.
Key Takeaways
- Dig Smarter, Not Harder: Vacuum excavation is a non-destructive method that uses air or water to safely expose underground utilities, preventing the costly and dangerous strikes common with traditional backhoes.
- It's a Precision Tool for Critical Jobs: Use this technique for essential tasks like potholing to confirm a utility’s exact location, trenching around sensitive infrastructure, and digging in tight urban spaces.
- Understand the True Value: While the upfront cost may seem higher, vacuum excavation saves money in the long run by avoiding expensive repairs, minimizing site cleanup, and preventing project-stopping delays.
What is Vacuum Excavation? (And How Does It Work?)
Think of vacuum excavation as a smarter, safer way to dig. Instead of using a backhoe or shovel, which can easily damage buried lines, this method uses pressurized air or water to gently loosen soil. A powerful vacuum then sucks the soil and debris away, exposing underground utilities without ever touching them. It’s a non-invasive technique that lets you see exactly what’s going on beneath the surface.
This process is often called "soft digging" or "daylighting," and it's the gold standard for safely verifying the location of utilities found during a private locate. When you’re planning to trench for new fiber or drill soil borings, you can’t afford the risk of hitting a gas line or water main. Vacuum excavation provides the visual confirmation you need to proceed with confidence, preventing costly damages, dangerous accidents, and project-stopping delays. It’s an essential step for any project that involves breaking ground near critical infrastructure, complementing the data gathered from subsurface utility mapping by providing precise depth and location details.
The 3-Step Vacuum Excavation Process
The vacuum excavation process is straightforward and efficient. First, the crew uses a specialized wand to direct a stream of high-pressure water or air onto the ground, carefully breaking up the soil. This targeted approach loosens the dirt without the brute force of traditional digging equipment.
Next, a large, powerful vacuum hose is positioned over the area. It suctions the loosened soil, rocks, and other debris into a holding tank on the truck. Finally, this process continues until the utility line is fully exposed and visible. This gives your team a clear view of the pipe or cable, confirming its exact horizontal position and depth.
Hydro vs. Air Excavation: What's the Difference?
While both methods use a vacuum to remove soil, the key difference is how they loosen it. Hydro excavation uses pressurized water. It’s incredibly effective and fast, especially for cutting through tough Texas clay or compacted ground. The water turns the soil into a slurry, which is then easily vacuumed into the debris tank.
Air excavation, on the other hand, uses compressed air to loosen the soil. This method is ideal for more sensitive job sites because the soil remains dry. This makes backfilling easier and reduces the environmental impact. Both hydro and air excavation are considered best practices in the industry for safely locating and working around underground utilities.
A Look at the Technology and Equipment
The workhorse of this operation is the vacuum excavator truck, often called a vac truck or hydrovac. These are highly specialized vehicles equipped with everything needed for the job. Each truck has a large debris tank to hold the excavated soil, a powerful vacuum system, and a high-pressure water or air compressor.
Vacuum excavators are designed for precision and safety. The operator can control the pressure and flow of the air or water, allowing them to work carefully around delicate infrastructure like fiber optic cables. This combination of power and control makes vac trucks an indispensable tool for modern construction, utility repair, and site development projects.
Why Choose Vacuum Excavation Over Traditional Digging?
When you need to dig, your first thought might be a backhoe or excavator. But traditional mechanical digging is a bit like performing surgery with a sledgehammer—it’s powerful, but it’s not precise. For projects in Dallas, where the underground is crowded with critical infrastructure, a smarter approach is needed. Vacuum excavation, also known as soft digging, offers a modern alternative that prioritizes safety, precision, and efficiency over brute force. It’s the clear choice when you can’t afford the costly damage and dangerous delays that come with accidentally striking a utility line.
Protect Your Crew and Existing Utilities
Nothing stops a project faster than a utility strike. Hitting a gas line, water main, or fiber optic cable can lead to dangerous situations, expensive repairs, and serious project setbacks. Vacuum excavation is a non-invasive method designed to prevent exactly that. Instead of using a metal bucket that can tear through pipes and conduits, it uses pressurized water or air to gently loosen soil. A powerful vacuum then removes the debris, carefully uncovering what’s below. This process allows you to safely locate underground utilities without the risk of damaging them, making it the safest option for your crew and the surrounding infrastructure.
Dig with Precision and Speed
Traditional digging methods often require excavating a much larger area than necessary, leading to more work, more backfill, and more site restoration costs. Vacuum excavation is the opposite—it’s incredibly precise. This method allows crews to dig small, exact holes for utility verification (potholing) or create narrow, clean trenches for installing new lines. Because it’s so targeted, it’s also much faster, especially in tight urban spaces or areas congested with existing utilities. This minimally invasive approach saves time and money on the job site by reducing labor hours and minimizing the disruption to your project.
Minimize Your Environmental Footprint
A clean job site is an efficient job site. Mechanical excavation creates large piles of spoil, kicks up dust, and can cause significant disruption to the surrounding landscape. As the most non-destructive form of excavation, vacuum excavation contains all the soil and water in a debris tank on the truck. This results in a much cleaner work area with less dust and mud. The contained slurry can then be transported off-site for responsible disposal, leaving a smaller environmental footprint. For projects with strict environmental standards or those in sensitive areas, this clean and contained process is a major advantage.
Is Vacuum Excavation Right for Your Project?
So, how do you know if vacuum excavation is the right call for your job site? While traditional digging has its place, vacuum excavation shines in situations where precision, safety, and minimizing site disruption are top priorities. It’s not just a niche technique; it’s a versatile solution for a wide range of common construction and utility challenges. If your project involves working near sensitive infrastructure, requires exact utility verification, or is located in a congested area, this method is almost certainly your best bet.
Think of it as surgical digging. Instead of using a large, blunt instrument like a backhoe bucket, you’re using a focused stream of air or water to carefully remove soil. This approach is ideal for everything from installing new service lines without damaging existing ones to safely preparing a site for major construction. Before you can dig, however, you need a clear picture of what’s below. Comprehensive utility locating services are the critical first step, creating the map that guides the excavation process and prevents dangerous guesswork. Below, we’ll cover a few key scenarios where vacuum excavation is the smartest, safest choice.
Utility Installation and Repair
When you need to install a new utility line or repair an existing one, the last thing you want is to strike a neighboring gas line or water main. Vacuum excavation is a non-invasive method that allows crews to safely expose underground utilities without the risk of damaging them. By using pressurized air or water to loosen the soil and a powerful vacuum to remove it, you can create a clean, visible work area. This process eliminates the danger of mechanical digging, protecting both your crew and the critical infrastructure you’re working around.
Potholing to Verify Utility Locations
Even the most advanced locating equipment provides marks on the surface. To get 100% confirmation of a utility’s exact horizontal and vertical position, you need to see it with your own eyes. This process is called potholing or daylighting. Hydro excavation is perfect for this, as it uses a strong stream of water to dig a small, precise test hole, allowing you to visually verify the utility’s depth and location. This is the final step in achieving the highest standard of subsurface utility mapping and is essential for any design or excavation work that requires absolute certainty.
Telecom and Fiber Optic Trenching
Damaging a fiber optic cable can cause widespread outages and lead to incredibly expensive repairs. These lines are fragile and often buried in crowded utility corridors. Vacuum excavation is the preferred method for telecom work because it offers the control needed to dig around these sensitive assets. Whether you’re trenching for new fiber installation or exposing existing lines for maintenance, the precision of vacuum excavation ensures you can safely expose fiber optic lines without causing a costly incident. It’s the go-to solution for protecting the backbone of our digital communication networks.
Safe Site Prep and Bore Planning
Before you start a major project involving soil borings or horizontal directional drilling (HDD), you need to clear the area of any potential conflicts. Vacuum excavation is a minimally invasive method that can quickly and safely clear the first few feet of a proposed bore path. This ensures your drill head won’t immediately strike a shallow utility line. By accurately locating and avoiding underground utilities from the start, you dramatically reduce the risk of accidents, making it the safest excavation option for site preparation and preventing costly delays before the real work even begins.
Who Are the Top Vacuum Excavation Providers in Dallas?
When you need to dig safely and precisely in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you have several strong options. The right partner for your project depends on your specific goals, whether you’re potholing to confirm a utility’s location or trenching for new fiber. While many companies offer vacuum excavation, their specialties can range from general digging to highly technical subsurface mapping. Let's look at a few of the key players in the DFW metroplex to help you find the right crew for your job site.
SiteTwin: Your Partner in Subsurface Data
At SiteTwin, we see vacuum excavation as a critical tool in a much larger process: understanding exactly what lies beneath your job site. We aren’t just a digging service; we are your partner in subsurface data. Our crews use vacuum excavation primarily for potholing—the surgical exposure of a utility to confirm its exact horizontal and vertical position. This process is a key part of our comprehensive utility locating services, which are designed to give engineers, GCs, and project managers the clear, accurate data they need to design and build safely. We integrate this field-verified data into detailed subsurface maps, preventing costly utility strikes and project delays before the first bucket of dirt is ever moved.
Other Dallas-Area Service Providers
The Dallas area has several dedicated hydro-excavation contractors who can handle a wide range of projects. Companies like Burton Oil specialize in using high-pressure water for precise digging, while Kleen Pipe offers hydrovac services for both commercial and residential needs. Another major player is NG Companies, which has the equipment and expertise for large-scale hydrovac projects across DFW. These providers are excellent choices when your primary need is non-destructive digging itself, such as for trenching or debris removal in sensitive areas. They bring powerful equipment and experienced operators to the site to get the excavation work done efficiently.
Comparing Service Areas and Specialties
The main difference between providers often comes down to focus. Some companies specialize in the act of excavation itself, bringing powerful hydrovac trucks to handle projects of any scale. Their goal is to dig safely and efficiently according to your plans. In contrast, our work at SiteTwin is centered on data collection and risk mitigation. We use vacuum excavation as a verification tool within a larger subsurface utility mapping (SUM) workflow. For us, the hole is a means to an end: capturing precise utility data to create an accurate underground map. Choosing the right partner means deciding if you need a team to simply dig, or a team to dig, locate, survey, and map.
Common Excavation Challenges in Dallas
Digging in Dallas isn’t always straightforward. Between the packed urban landscape and the notoriously stubborn soil, excavation projects here come with a unique set of hurdles. A simple trenching job can quickly become complicated if you aren’t prepared for what lies beneath the surface.
Understanding these local challenges is the first step to planning a project that stays on schedule and on budget. From tangled utility lines under busy streets to working on cramped sites, knowing what you’re up against helps you choose the right methods and partners to get the job done safely and efficiently.
Navigating Dense Underground Utilities
Dallas has a complex web of underground infrastructure, and not all of it is well-documented. For any crew, the biggest fear is striking a gas line, water main, or critical fiber optic cable. A single mistake can lead to dangerous situations, expensive repairs, and project-halting delays. Traditional digging with a backhoe is a gamble in these congested areas. That's why a non-destructive approach is critical. Vacuum excavation allows crews to carefully expose buried lines without damage, making it an ideal method for utility locating projects. Before bringing in a hydrovac truck, getting a comprehensive private utility locate gives you a clear map of what’s underground, ensuring your excavation is precise and safe from the start.
Working in Tight Urban Spaces
In a bustling city, space is a luxury. Many Dallas construction sites are squeezed between existing buildings and busy roads, leaving little room for bulky equipment. As one industry expert notes, "Urban sites often lack room for large machinery," making traditional excavation nearly impossible. Trying to maneuver a large excavator in a tight alley is inefficient and raises the risk of property damage. Vacuum excavation trucks are designed for these scenarios. Their smaller footprint and long-reach hoses allow operators to work effectively in confined areas without disrupting the surroundings. This flexibility means you can dig precisely where you need to, whether it’s for a utility repair or trenching on a compact commercial property.
Dealing with Hard Clay and Tough Weather
Anyone who has dug in North Texas knows about the infamous "black gumbo" clay. When dry, it’s as hard as concrete; when wet, it’s a thick, heavy mess. This soil, combined with Dallas's extreme weather, makes conventional digging a slow, labor-intensive process. A standard excavator bucket struggles to break through baked clay, and manual shoveling is a muddy chore after a rainstorm. Vacuum excavation offers a much safer and more efficient alternative in these conditions. Hydro excavation, in particular, uses pressurized water to slice through the toughest clay, turning it into a manageable slurry that the vacuum system immediately removes. This keeps the site clean and the project moving, regardless of what the Texas weather throws at you.
How Dallas Vacuum Excavation Companies Stack Up
When you’re looking for a vacuum excavation partner in Dallas, you’ll find plenty of options. But not all providers are created equal. The right contractor can mean the difference between a project that runs smoothly and one plagued by costly delays and utility strikes. The key is to look past the sales pitch and focus on what really matters: the quality of their equipment, their ability to show up when you need them, and a pricing structure that reflects true value.
Choosing a contractor isn't just about hiring a truck and an operator; it's about bringing on a team that understands the complexities of Dallas's subsurface environment. You need a partner who invests in modern, well-maintained equipment to ensure precision and safety on your site. You also need a team that respects your timeline and has the crew availability to prevent bottlenecks. Finally, understanding how a company prices its services—and the long-term savings they provide by preventing damage—is crucial for protecting your budget. Let's break down these key areas to help you make a confident decision.
Comparing Equipment and Technology
At its core, vacuum excavation is a straightforward process: use high-pressure water (hydro) or air to break up soil, then vacuum the debris into a tank. While the basic method is consistent, the quality and capability of the equipment can vary significantly between companies. Top-tier providers use modern hydrovac trucks designed for precision and efficiency, which is critical when digging around sensitive utilities. As some in the industry note, these services are "precise, controlled, efficient, and cost-effective."
When vetting a contractor, ask about their fleet. Are their trucks well-maintained? Do they have vehicles suited for both large-scale projects and sites with tight access? The right hydro excavation equipment is not just about power; it’s about having the right tool for the job to minimize surface disruption and protect buried assets.
Evaluating Response Times and Availability
In the world of construction and site management, delays are budget killers. A contractor’s ability to respond quickly and reliably is non-negotiable. You need a team that can mobilize without holding up your project timeline. Leading Dallas providers understand this urgency. They have crews ready to serve the entire North Texas region and can adapt to your schedule, whether it's for a planned project or an unexpected need.
Before you commit, get a clear sense of a company's availability. How far out are they booked? What is their standard response time for a service call? A provider who values your time will be transparent about their schedule and work with you to keep your project moving forward. This commitment to timely service is essential for preventing issues with project budgets and timelines, ensuring your excavation work gets done right when you need it.
Understanding Pricing and Service Packages
While upfront cost is always a factor, the cheapest hourly rate isn't always the best deal. Vacuum excavation is often positioned as a method that saves time and money by preventing the catastrophic expense of a utility strike. The value comes from its non-destructive nature, which protects buried infrastructure and reduces the need for costly restoration work.
When reviewing quotes, look beyond the price tag. Consider the long-term savings. A precise, safe excavation process prevents damage, avoids project shutdowns, and keeps your crew safe. The most cost-effective partner is one who works efficiently, communicates clearly, and delivers clean, accurate results without creating new problems. This approach turns an operational expense into a smart investment in your project’s success.
How to Choose the Right Vacuum Excavation Contractor
Selecting a vacuum excavation contractor is about more than just finding someone to dig a hole. You’re choosing a partner to protect your underground assets, keep your crew safe, and ensure your project stays on schedule and within budget. The right team brings expertise and precision to the job, while the wrong one can introduce costly delays and dangerous risks. Before you sign a contract, it’s essential to do your homework. A few pointed questions can reveal whether a potential contractor is a true professional or just a company with a truck.
Think of this process as an interview for a critical role on your project team. You need a contractor who is not only skilled with their equipment but also understands the unique challenges of excavating in the Dallas area. From navigating congested utility corridors to dealing with hard clay soil, local experience matters. A good contractor knows that a successful project starts long before the vacuum hose hits the ground; it starts with understanding exactly what lies beneath the surface. By focusing on a few key areas—experience, equipment, and communication—you can confidently choose a partner who will help your project succeed from the ground down.
Check Their Experience, Safety Record, and Certifications
When you’re evaluating a contractor, start with their track record. How long have they been providing vacuum excavation services in North Texas? Ask for examples of projects similar to yours. A company that specializes in large-scale municipal work might not be the best fit for a tight-access fiber optic trenching job. You want a team that has seen and solved the kinds of challenges your site presents. A contractor’s reputation is built on consistent, professional results and quick responses when you need them.
Beyond experience, a non-negotiable is a commitment to safety. Ask about their safety program and request their Experience Modification Rate (EMR). A low EMR indicates a strong safety record and fewer on-the-job incidents. Also, confirm that their operators are properly trained and certified. This ensures they not only know how to run the equipment but also understand the critical safety protocols for working around live utilities. The first step in any safe excavation is knowing what’s below, which is why a thorough private utility locate should always precede the digging.
Ask About Equipment and Insurance
Not all vacuum excavation trucks are created equal. The right equipment depends entirely on your project’s needs. Ask a potential contractor about their fleet. Do they have trucks of various sizes to handle different site conditions, from open fields to confined urban spaces? A well-maintained, modern fleet is a sign of a professional operation. Inquire whether they use hydro excavation (water) or air excavation and discuss which method is better suited for your soil conditions and utility types.
Just as important as the equipment is the insurance that backs it up. Never hire a contractor without first verifying their insurance coverage. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that lists you as an additional insured. This simple step protects you from liability in case of an accident or property damage. A professional contractor will have this documentation ready and won't hesitate to provide it. If they can’t produce a valid COI, consider it a major red flag and move on.
Gauge Their Communication and Customer Service
From your very first phone call, pay attention to how the contractor communicates. Are they responsive and easy to reach? Do they ask thoughtful questions to understand the full scope of your project? This initial interaction is often a preview of the service you’ll receive once work begins. You want a partner who is proactive and transparent, not a vendor you have to chase down for updates. A company that offers a clear, detailed quote shows they’ve listened to your needs.
Look for a team that provides a single point of contact and a clear plan for scheduling and on-site coordination. Excellent customer service means they work with you to make the project run smoothly, from initial planning to final cleanup. Before any digging starts, having a complete picture of the underground environment is crucial. Investing in a subsurface utility map can streamline the entire excavation process, giving your contractor the clear, field-ready data they need to work safely and efficiently.
The Truth About Vacuum Excavation Costs
When you first look at quotes, vacuum excavation might seem more expensive than bringing in a backhoe. But the upfront price tag doesn't tell the whole story. The real cost of any excavation method includes the risks you take on—from utility strikes and crew injuries to project delays and environmental fines.
When you factor in the costs that vacuum excavation helps you avoid, it often becomes the most financially sound choice for your project. Let's break down the true value.
Upfront Cost vs. Long-Term Savings
Think of vacuum excavation as a strategic investment rather than just an expense. While the hourly rate for a specialized truck and a skilled crew is higher than for traditional digging, the long-term savings add up quickly. Because it’s a minimally invasive method, you’re not just digging a hole; you’re performing surgical soil removal.
This precision means less disruption to the surrounding area, which translates to lower restoration costs. You’ll spend less on backfill, asphalt repair, and landscaping. Plus, the speed and efficiency of the process reduce overall labor hours and help keep your project on schedule, preventing costly overruns.
How It Prevents Costly Damage and Delays
A single utility strike can derail your entire project. The costs include emergency repairs, regulatory fines, crew downtime, and serious damage to your reputation. Traditional mechanical digging is a game of chance in congested areas, but vacuum excavation takes the guesswork out of it. By using pressurized water or air to loosen soil and a powerful vacuum to remove it, you can safely expose buried lines without the risk of impact damage.
This method is safer and often cheaper than traditional digging, especially around critical infrastructure like fiber optic cables or gas pipes. It’s the definitive way to confirm the exact location and depth of a utility before you trench or drill, a process known as potholing. This verification is a core part of any responsible utility locating service and is your best insurance against a catastrophic mistake.
The Value of Environmental Compliance
Site cleanliness and environmental responsibility are more than just buzzwords—they’re essential for avoiding fines and maintaining good relationships with clients and communities. Vacuum excavation is the most non-destructive digging method available, minimizing your project’s footprint. It creates far less dust and debris than a backhoe, keeping the air and surrounding property cleaner.
The soil and water mixture, or slurry, is contained within the truck, preventing runoff into storm drains. This slurry can then be disposed of at a designated facility, ensuring you meet local and federal environmental regulations. This controlled process not only simplifies site cleanup but also demonstrates a commitment to responsible practices, which is a valuable asset for any contractor. It’s a key step in creating the clean, accurate data needed for subsurface utility mapping.
Your Pre-Excavation Project Checklist
A successful excavation project doesn’t start when the equipment arrives—it starts with a solid plan. Rushing into a dig without doing your homework is a recipe for utility strikes, costly delays, and serious safety risks. A simple pre-excavation checklist can make all the difference, ensuring your project runs smoothly from the first survey to the final backfill.
Think of these steps as your project’s foundation. By getting your ducks in a row before you break ground, you protect your crew, your budget, and your timeline. It’s about replacing guesswork with certainty. From identifying every buried line to coordinating with your crew, this checklist covers the essential steps for a safe and efficient excavation in the Dallas area. Let’s walk through what you need to do to set your project up for success.
Schedule a Site Assessment and Utility Locate
Before a single shovel hits the dirt, you need to know exactly what’s buried beneath the surface. While calling 811 is a required first step, it’s important to remember that they only mark public utilities. Anything running from the meter to a building—like power, water, or fiber optic lines—is considered private and won’t be on their maps. This is where professional utility locating services become essential.
A private locator uses advanced methods like GPR and EM to find what 811 misses. For critical areas, vacuum excavation is often used for potholing to visually confirm the exact depth and location of a utility. This non-destructive digging method uses pressurized water or air to safely expose buried lines without the risk of damage, giving your team 100% certainty before excavation begins.
Handle Permits and Plan Your Timeline
With a clear map of all subsurface utilities, you can confidently move on to the administrative side of your project. Most excavation work requires permits from local authorities, and showing up with incomplete or inaccurate site plans is a surefire way to get your application delayed. Having comprehensive subsurface utility mapping data streamlines the permitting process, demonstrating due diligence and a commitment to safety.
This data is also crucial for building a realistic project timeline. When you know the location of every potential obstacle, you can plan your excavation strategy to avoid them, preventing unexpected stops and starts. This foresight allows you to schedule crews and equipment more effectively, keeping your project on track and within budget.
Collaborate with Your Contractor for a Smooth Project
A utility map is only effective if the people doing the digging use it. The final step in your pre-excavation checklist is to ensure seamless communication between your locating provider and your excavation contractor. Hold a pre-construction meeting on-site to review the utility markings and the subsurface map with everyone involved, from the project manager to the equipment operators.
This collaborative approach ensures the entire team understands the site’s specific challenges and potential hazards. When your excavation crew knows exactly where they can and cannot dig, they can work with greater speed, precision, and safety. This alignment is key to preventing accidents and making sure the project is executed according to plan. Explore our full range of field services to see how we can support your project team.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is vacuum excavation a better choice than traditional digging? Think of it this way: if you need to dig near anything important, vacuum excavation is your safest bet. While a backhoe is great for moving a lot of dirt in an open area, it's imprecise and can easily damage buried lines. Vacuum excavation is the smart choice for verifying utility locations, trenching in congested areas, or any time you need to dig with surgical precision without risking a costly utility strike.
What's the real difference between hydro and air excavation? The main difference is what's used to loosen the soil before it's vacuumed away. Hydro excavation uses high-pressure water, which is incredibly effective at cutting through tough, compacted soil like Texas clay. Air excavation uses compressed air, which keeps the soil dry. This makes it a great option for sensitive job sites where you need to minimize environmental impact or make backfilling as simple as possible.
I've heard vacuum excavation is expensive. Is that true? While the upfront hourly rate might be higher than for a traditional excavator, it's a classic case of paying for prevention. The cost of a single utility strike—including repairs, fines, and project downtime—can easily dwarf the cost of the excavation itself. By choosing a non-destructive method, you're investing in risk management and preventing the catastrophic expenses that come with damaging critical infrastructure.
How is using SiteTwin for potholing different from hiring a regular hydrovac company? Many companies offer vacuum excavation as a standalone digging service. Their job is to dig a hole or a trench where you tell them to. At SiteTwin, we use vacuum excavation as a verification tool within a larger data-gathering process. Our goal isn't just to dig the hole; it's to visually confirm a utility's exact depth and location to create a precise, reliable subsurface map that prevents problems before your project even begins.
If I hire you for vacuum excavation, do I still need to call 811 first? Yes, absolutely. Calling 811 is a legal requirement to have public utilities marked. However, their service stops at the meter. Our work complements the 811 process by locating all the private utility lines they don't mark, such as power to a building or a secondary gas line. We then use vacuum excavation to verify the exact location of these critical lines, giving you a complete picture of everything underground.