Excavation & Septic FAQ

National cost guides put it at roughly $190 to $340 per hour for a machine with operator. Southern Utah caliche, blue clay and rock move that number, so we walk the lot and give you a written estimate, free. More on our excavation page.

Inside St. George, Hurricane, La Verkin and Washington city limits you're most likely on sewer; Apple Valley, Hildale, Virgin, Rockville and most county parcels are septic. Not sure? Call us. Details on the septic page.

Through the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Washington County office (435-986-2580). You need a soil evaluation (perc test) by a certified evaluator, an approved system design, a Septic System Application, installation to the design, and a final inspection before backfill. We install and schedule the inspection.

It's done by a certified evaluator or engineer and fees vary, so call the Southwest Utah Public Health Department for the current number. We can recommend evaluators we work with.

Caliche is a calcium-carbonate hardpan that forms a foot or two below the surface across much of southern Utah. It can be as hard as weak concrete. Small rental equipment bounces off it; we bring machines and attachments that do not.

Yes, but it takes planning. Chinle blue clay swells when wet and can lift footings. The standard fix is over-excavating and rebuilding with compacted engineered fill in lifts per the geotech report. We tell you before we start, and we price it honestly.

Usually 30 to 60 minutes on site, and you can watch live. See sewer camera inspection.

Yes. In Washington County the permit comes from the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and the system must pass a final inspection before backfill.

Usually the lid sits 6 to 18 inches below finished grade with risers to the surface for access. The house lateral elevation and drain field design set the exact depth.

Expansive clay that swells when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries, moving the soil under the footings. Proper over-excavation, engineered fill and grading water away from the house are the defenses.

Yes. We walk the site, talk through the job and give you a written number. No charge, no pressure.

Yes. That's the Diggin' and the Riggin'. Excavation, septic, trenching, grading, hauling, sewer camera inspection, and mobile welding and fabrication, from one company.