BUILD THE SITE AND RESULT BRIEF
Describe the result and observed context. Leave design, measurements, investigation and work methods to qualified providers.
Construction & Specialty Trades · FREE PREPARATION PACK
Excavation site, coordination and written-scope workbook
An excavation conversation is clearer when each provider receives the same intended result, available plans, observed site conditions, access and equipment-route context, no-go areas, work by others and restoration expectations. This helpful preparation resource from PickYourPro.ai helps you compare provider-proposed utility coordination, provider-confirmed limits, ground-condition assumptions, spoil handling, protection, restoration, documentation and handoff without becoming a design, survey, digging or trench-safety guide.
Download free PDF ↓Ready for proposals? Start a request ↗
This is a site-brief and proposal-preparation worksheet, not excavation design, engineering, surveying, measurement, utility marking or exposure, digging instruction, soil classification, depth, slope, shoring, trench-entry, dewatering, erosion-control or equipment guidance, a safety plan, permit or code determination, property-line or environmental decision, construction direction, contract interpretation, or legal advice. Qualified providers, utility-notification services and appropriate authorities should address technical, safety and local requirements for the specific site.
START HERE
How to use this resource
Describe the result you want and the general work area without designing, measuring or marking the excavation. List plans, surveys and records available for provider review; observed surface, ground or drainage conditions; access and equipment-route questions; occupied areas; no-go or protected areas; work by others; timing and restoration priorities. Ask the provider to write who handles utility coordination, how work limits and reference points will be confirmed, what assumptions apply, what happens when conditions differ, how spoil and imported material are handled, and what protection, restoration, documentation and closeout are included.
Open the PDF in a form-capable viewer, save a copy, then fill it in. Reopen your saved copy to check your answers. You can also print the blank pages and write by hand. Your answers are not submitted to PickYourPro.ai.
MAP COORDINATION AND SCOPE QUESTIONS
Record responsibility questions and assumptions; let the provider confirm coordination, limits and technical methods.
DEFINE WRITTEN SCOPE AND HANDOFF
Tick what is ready, then ask each provider to document scope, assumptions, changes and closeout.
QUESTIONS FOR AN EXCAVATION PROVIDER
Record how each provider would coordinate, confirm, scope, protect, document and close out the same intended result.
COMPARE THE SAME EXCAVATION SCOPE
Use A and B in every box. Clarify coordination, assumptions and restoration differences before choosing.
USE IT RIGHT NOW
Excavation preparation checklist
- Describe the intended result and general work area without designing, measuring, marking or directing the excavation.
- List available plans, surveys, utility records and prior-work records for provider review; do not treat them as verified field conditions.
- Record only observed surface, ground, drainage or access conditions and leave investigation and interpretation to providers.
- Note entry, parking, equipment-route questions, occupied areas, neighbors, timing, no-go areas and work by others.
- Ask each provider to state who handles utility coordination, when it occurs and what must be confirmed before work begins.
- Ask how the provider will confirm work limits, reference points, ground assumptions, spoil handling and changes in conditions.
- Clarify protection, temporary access, cleanup, restoration, stabilization, documentation and unresolved items in writing.
- Give every provider the same site brief and clarify differences before comparing the full written proposal.
Questions to ask an excavation provider
- Who is responsible for utility-notification and field-coordination steps, when will they occur, and what written confirmation is required before work begins?
- How will you review the available plans and confirm the excavation limits and reference points for your written scope?
- What site or ground-condition assumptions are built into the proposal, and what provider-led investigation may be needed?
- How does the proposal address excavated material, stockpiling, haul-away, imported material, work by others and exclusions?
- What access, equipment-route, adjacent-surface, occupied-area, temporary-access and protection responsibilities are included?
- How will changed conditions, pauses, approvals, restoration, stabilization, cleanup, documentation, closeout and unresolved items be handled?
Write down the answers and any exclusions. If two proposals describe different work, clarify the difference before comparing their totals. Leave unanswered points blank until the professional confirms them.
A CLEARER NEXT STEP
Ready to hear from pros?
Create an account on PickYourPro.ai only if you choose, then start an Excavation request. Share the intended result, available plans, observed conditions, access and equipment-route context, no-go areas, work by others, timing and restoration priorities so participating pros can compete with proposals. Compare provider-proposed utility coordination, confirmed limits, ground assumptions, spoil handling, protection, changes, restoration, documentation, timing and fit.
Start a new request ↗Participation and availability vary. A site visit, record review, and provider-led utility-coordination and ground-condition assessment may be needed before a final proposal.
Keep the useful part.
The worksheets are free to use whether you hire through PickYourPro.ai or elsewhere. No account is needed to download them.
Download the five-page pack ↓One request. Every pro’s best offer.
More help with your next step
Official references and scope
These are original planning prompts, with AI assistance, prepared by PickYourPro.ai. Official links checked October 13, 2026. This pack has not been independently reviewed by a licensed specialist.
- U.S. Department of Transportation PHMSA: National Safe Digging Month ↗
PHMSA says utility-location coordination is required before excavation and directs people to the state 811 center. This workbook uses that source only to prompt written responsibility and timing questions; it does not instruct anyone to mark, expose or dig near utilities.
- Federal Trade Commission: How to Avoid a Home Improvement Scam ↗
The FTC says written estimates should describe the work, materials, completion date and price and notes that contract requirements vary by state. This workbook uses only those written-scope comparison ideas; it does not state licensing, payment, contract, cancellation, permit or other local legal requirements.
Linked organizations do not endorse PickYourPro.ai. Report a correction.