Excavation work is expensive to redo, so it's worth a little extra diligence before you hire someone to dig on your property.
What to check
Confirm the contractor is insured — excavation work carries real risk, and insurance protects you if something goes wrong on your property. Ask whether they own their equipment or rent it, since owned equipment generally means more schedule reliability. Ask about their experience with your specific type of project, since pond work, foundation excavation, and land clearing all draw on somewhat different expertise.
What a real estimate should look like
Be cautious of quotes given without anyone walking the property — soil, access and site conditions all affect cost and feasibility, and a contractor who skips the site visit is guessing. A good estimate process includes a site visit, a clear explanation of scope, and honesty about what factors could change the price.
It's also fair to ask straightforward questions about timeline and what happens if unexpected conditions (rock, unmarked utilities, unusual soil) come up during the work.