Dirt removal: what we need to know before anyone quotes it

Start with what the material is

People use the word dirt for several different things. Clean soil, mixed fill, wet material and a pile with concrete, roots or trash do not describe the same job.

Before anyone quotes it, we need a clear description and photos of the material itself. If nobody knows what is in the pile, that uncertainty has to be resolved first.

The pile is only part of the job

We also need to understand where the material sits and how it can be reached. A truck next to a pile is a different situation from material behind a house, below a slope or through a narrow gate.

• A wide photo of the pile and surrounding area
• The path from the street to the material
• Gates, steps, slopes, walls and overhead limits
• Whether the material is loose, compacted, bagged or still in the ground

Why a site look may be the right first step

If the amount, material or access cannot be understood from photos, an experienced person may need to review the actual conditions before the work is quoted or assigned.

The person assessing the site is not automatically the person who will perform the eventual job.