Hiring an excavation contractor is a significant decision. Whether you're building a new home, installing a septic system, or clearing land for development, the quality of the site work will affect your project for decades. A poorly graded lot, an improperly installed septic system, or a failed retaining wall can cost tens of thousands of dollars to correct.
As a licensed excavation and septic contractor in East Tennessee, we've seen the results of both good and bad contractor choices. We've been called in to fix work done by unlicensed operators, and we've seen homeowners stuck with drainage problems and failing septic systems because they hired the cheapest bid without asking the right questions.
This article gives you the five most important questions to ask before hiring any excavation contractor in Tennessee, questions that will help you separate the qualified professionals from the operators who might leave you with a mess.
Question 1: Are You Licensed and Insured?
This is the most important question you can ask, and the answer should be immediate and verifiable. In Tennessee, excavation contractors who install septic systems must be licensed by TDEC. General contractors performing excavation work above certain thresholds must be licensed by the Tennessee Contractor's Licensing Board.
Ask for:
- Their contractor's license number (you can verify this on the Tennessee Contractor's Licensing Board website)
- Their septic installer's license number (if applicable)
- A certificate of general liability insurance
- A certificate of workers' compensation insurance
Never hire an excavation contractor who can't provide proof of both licensing and insurance. If something goes wrong on your property, a damaged utility line, an injured worker, a failed septic system, you could be held liable if the contractor isn't properly licensed and insured.
At Clear Flow Services, we're licensed in Tennessee and carry general liability insurance. We're happy to provide copies of our license and insurance certificates upon request.
Question 2: Do You Handle the Permits?
Excavation and septic work in Tennessee requires permits. Septic installations require a TDEC permit. Land disturbance above certain thresholds may require an erosion control permit. Demolition may require a local building permit. Some counties require permits for retaining walls over a certain height.
Ask your contractor:
- Will you handle the permit applications?
- Are permit fees included in your quote, or are they additional?
- How long will the permit process take?
- Will you coordinate the required inspections?
A reputable contractor handles the permit process as part of the job. If a contractor tells you that permits are "your responsibility" or tries to talk you out of pulling permits, walk away. Working without required permits can result in fines, required demolition of completed work, and problems when you try to sell your property.
Clear Flow Handles All Permits
We manage the entire permit process from start to finish.
Question 3: Can You Provide References from Similar Projects?
Ask for references from homeowners who had similar work done, not just general references, but specific references for the type of work you're having done. If you're having a septic system installed, ask for references from homeowners who had septic systems installed. If you're having land cleared, ask for references from homeowners who had similar clearing work done.
When you call references, ask:
- Did the contractor show up when they said they would?
- Did they communicate throughout the project?
- Did the final cost match the quote?
- Were there any problems, and if so, how did the contractor handle them?
- Would you hire them again?
A contractor who can't provide references, or who provides references that don't check out, is a red flag.
Question 4: What's Included in Your Quote?
Get everything in writing, and make sure you understand exactly what's included in the quote and what isn't. Common areas of confusion include:
- Debris disposal, Is hauling away cleared trees and debris included, or is it extra?
- Stump removal, Is stump grinding or removal included, or is it extra?
- Permit fees, Are permit fees included in the quote price?
- Rock excavation, If rock is encountered during excavation, is there an additional charge?
- Fill material, If fill material needs to be imported, is that included?
- Cleanup, What does the site look like when the contractor leaves?
A detailed written quote that specifies exactly what's included protects both you and the contractor. Be wary of very low bids that may be missing important line items, the final bill can end up much higher than the original quote if key items aren't included.
Question 5: What's Your Timeline and How Do You Handle Communication?
One of the most common complaints about contractors of all types is poor communication. Projects get delayed, homeowners don't know what's happening, and frustration builds. Before you hire, ask:
- When can you start?
- How long will the project take?
- How will you communicate with me during the project?
- Who is my point of contact if I have questions?
- What happens if the project is delayed due to weather or other factors?
A contractor who gives you vague answers about timeline and communication is likely to be vague throughout the project. Look for a contractor who gives you specific, realistic answers and who has a clear communication process.
At Clear Flow, we answer calls and texts, we give you a realistic timeline at the start of every project, and we call you if anything changes. We believe that good communication is as important as good work, and our customers tell us that's one of the things they appreciate most about working with us.
Bonus: Get Multiple Quotes
For significant projects, get at least two or three quotes from licensed contractors. This gives you a sense of the market rate for your project and helps you identify quotes that are unrealistically low (which often means something important is missing) or unrealistically high.
The lowest bid isn't always the best choice. Consider the contractor's experience, references, communication style, and the completeness of their quote alongside the price. The goal is to find the best value, not the cheapest price.
Ready to Get a Quote from Clear Flow?
Clear Flow Services, LLC is a licensed and insured excavation and septic contractor based in Loudon, Tennessee. We handle permits, communicate throughout every project, and stand behind our work. If you're looking for a contractor you can trust for your East Tennessee site work project, we'd love to earn your business.
Call us at 865-413-8790 or fill out the quote form on our website. We respond within 2 hours and can typically schedule a free site visit within the week.
Clear Flow Services, LLC
Loudon, TN · 865-413-8790
Serving East Tennessee since 2022