I'm starting to build a circular fire pit area with a 14 ft diameter, which will have a paver border and a sitting wall on one side. My yard slopes down, so I need to dig around 12 inches deep on one side. I found someone nearby who offers excavator services for $200. I'm wondering if hiring him for this relatively small job is overkill. Would it make sense to use an excavator for such a shallow dig, considering it could save me a lot of effort? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
While $200 sounds good, consider if the operator is insured and licensed. You don't want any mishaps on your property. If you're all clear on that, it sounds like a solid option! Sometimes, it's better to have the pros handle it—even for smaller projects!
You might want to check the size of the excavator first. If it's a smaller one (like 1-3 tons), it should be fine and not mess up your yard too much. But if it's a larger model, it could cause some damage. Just make sure you can get it into your yard without too much hassle!
Great point! Accessibility is key. If it's easy to maneuver and won't tear up your lawn, I say go for it.
Honestly, $200 for an excavator sounds like a steal, especially for digging that deep. I'd definitely go for it! Doing that by hand would be a headache for sure. Plus, the speed and ease of using machinery can't be compared to manual labor. If you have the budget, it seems worth it!
Exactly! Manual digging can take ages, and if you can get it done quickly with a machine, why not?

True! Safety first. A little assurance goes a long way when using heavy machinery.