Hey everyone! I'm in Ontario and I've been getting estimates for some electrical work at my place. My electrician gave me a quote for a new panel and some wiring, and it turns out that to do this, the power company requires a 4' by 4' hole to be excavated. This is to expose some buried service lines that need work, which I guess are around 3 feet deep. The kicker? The estimate for the hydro excavation alone is about $3.5k CAD! I'm feeling like that's way too high for just a small pit. I'm okay with paying a fair price for the electrician's work, but this excavation costs just seem excessive. I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether this seems reasonable or if I should get a second opinion!
3 Answers
Honestly, $3.5k might sound steep for a small pit, but hydro excavation isn't cheap. It's all about the day rates for the equipment and labor involved. I’ve done similar jobs where just the excavator alone can run you $2,500, plus labor costs and dump fees, so it can quickly add up. It’s worth checking for more quotes, though, to see if there are better options in your area!
You know, it really all depends on the conditions at your site. If you're dealing with tough soil or need the excavation done quickly, that quote could be pretty reasonable. I upgraded my service not long ago, and while the digging was a pain, the costs ended up being justifiable after seeing how much was involved. I’d suggest calling around for more quotes to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
From my experience, digging these pits can be a lot of work, especially if the ground is tough to break through. I recently dug a hole myself and found that the process can be quite lengthy and messy. The cost might seem high, but you do have to factor in the difficulty of the job. My service was buried pretty deep, and hiring professionals saved me a lot of headaches! You might want to get multiple estimates to compare.